Tribute to Revd Peter Mackriell as he leaves us after four years

By Paul Whittaker
Director of Music
(December 2022)

Thank you all for coming this evening for a special thank-you to Peter who has served here at St Mary’s and in this Mission Area since 2018. It was Advent Sunday 2018 when he was installed as a Priest-in-Charge in the Maelor Mission Area. If today’s service had taken place as planned last week, it would have been almost exactly four years to the day!

We are gathered here now to say our formal farewells, though your last service will be on Christmas Day (St Hilary’s at 9.45am). We are all sorry that you are leaving us so soon, Peter, but we also rejoice in your Ministry here, the renewed energy you brought and the way you steered us through the last four years.

And what a “four years” it has been! No-one could have anticipated the pandemic and the effects it would have – but your determination and energy kept us all going and with your help we got through it – initially with online services during the first lockdown, with you going to great trouble to provide them, then with socially-distanced services in church when nearly all other churches remained closed. We restarted music as soon as we could with Jo and Ian taking it in turns to sing behind the screen. Zoom services have continued – even this service has been viewed online. Without your personal commitment and drive we would have struggled – I recall a service with only one in the congregation – but you steered us through and we kept going, and are still here now.

Your love of music and singing was especially welcome, and I and the choir have very much enjoyed your enthusiasm and fellowship. Having a priest who actively not only encourages music but also sings with the choir gives great encouragement to us humble church musicians – in this Mission Area we are blessed indeed that both our clergy do just that! Your enjoyment of theatre and musicals in particular has not gone unnoticed – you are the only preacher I have heard who regularly manages to weave references to musicals and Shakespeare into his sermons – even on the second Sunday in Advent!

Thanks to your leadership and encouragement, All Age Worship was revived with some very exciting services – including a first – a bouncy castle in the churchyard. I must mention also all that you have done with the school – as governor, regularly taking services in the school and welcoming the children into church. We know they are frequently here thanks to your encouragement and support. I am sure they will miss you too.

Over the last four years, you have been our encourager, friend and priest and you have walked alongside many in the community during difficult times. You will be missed by all of us. But at the same time we rejoice in your ministry, we thank God for it and we wish you the very best for the future in the Tanat-Vyrnwy Mission Area and wherever God takes you. Please accept these gifts with our best wishes, one for you both to share and one for your beloved garden.