ONE of Tavistock's familiar and much respected clerical figures is stepping down to take retirement next month — or 'sitting down' as it is known in Methodist circles.

The Rev Jeff Moles, who lives in Whitchurch, has been the superintendent minister of the Tavistock Methodist Circuit for 13 years covering the chapels at Tavistock, Mary Tavy, Peter Tavy, Whitchurch, Horrabridge, Yelverton, Princetown and Bere Alston.

He retires in August although there will be a special service held in his honour at Tavistock Methodist Church at 6pm on Sunday, July 15. Such is his popularity that a large turnout is expected from all religious denominations at the service in the area.

In Jeff's time Tavistock Methodist Church has seen steady growth, attracting young families both to Sunday morning services and the many activities co-ordinated by its family workers throughout the week.

Thirty years ago Jeff was a civil servant working as a manager for the Manpower Services Commission in Sheffield when he found himself called to his vocation.

He said:?'I had only just become a Christian but the local Methodist Church I and my wife Liz belonged to was going through a difficult time. I took on more responsibilities within the church and people began to come to me for guidance and spiritual support. I felt I was being called by God to be a minister and that is what he wanted me to do.'

After training at Wesley College, Bristol, his first ministry was in Rochdale, Lancashire, which he described as a 'steep learning curve'.

In 1991 for his next ministry Jeff filled out a form which asked him where he would like to go. He ticked all the boxes to say yes to any place except a 'rural' ministry — and ended up in Morchard Bishop in Devon, ministering to a farming community!

Jeff, 64, said he and Liz, who have been married for 37 years, are very much 'a team' and she has been a great support to his work throughout.

In 1999 the Methodist district chair asked him to go to Tavistock and become the superintendent minister with a brief to encourage more young people to become involved in the church. A year later a full-time youth worker was appointed and two years later two part-time children's workers were added to the team.

In Tavistock the congregation has flourished, especially because of the work with families — there are now two Sunday morning services to cope with numbers wishing to worship

Jeff said: 'There is a real sense of serving the community, not just in the church itself but outside in the wider community. If people have problems we are there to help them by working together and praying together to find a solution.

'What has given me a lot of satisfaction is to see the growth of the church and the family work put in by our members bearing so much fruit.

'One of the saddest things during my time though was to see the closure of the smaller chapels — from 13 to eight — which was inevitable but really hard to take, especially, sometimes for people who are now in their 80s and had been worshipping there since they were children.

'The congregation, not just in Tavistock but on the whole circuit, have been very supportive to me over the years and a great blessing.'

A former chairman of Tavistock Area Churches Together, Jeff is also thankful to those outside his own church and other ministers of other denominations.

'We have a very good relationship in Tavistock where we try to support one another in what can be, at times, a very stressful job. One minute you may be celebrating good news within a family and five minutes later receiving a phone call talking to someone who has lost a loved one or had a marriage breakdown. You just have to deal with it. Sometimes the job can be very difficult but at those times you just have to think of why you have been called.'

His passion is preaching and one member of his congregation complimented him by saying: 'When you are preaching you can see the real Jeff.'

One of the highlights for Jeff and Liz was when they visited South Africa and Zimbabwe last year; and met some of the children at the Christian-run homes in Bulawayo for orphans or abandoned children.

'It helps put things in perspective to see people with next to nothing who are still able to be so positive about life,' said Jeff.

Circuit steward Joan Jones told the Times: 'Jeff Moles and his wife Liz have given unstintingly of themselves in the 13 years they have been here — to the Tavistock Methodist Circuit, to Tavistock Area Christians Together and to the town itself.

'They're going to be missed a lot, but it's good to know they're staying in Tavistock and that we'll continue to see them around. We wish them an enjoyable retirement.'

Fellow Methodist Andy White added: 'Jeff has led the churches with passion and wisdom. He has a gift for preaching. We wish him and his wife a happy retirement. Liz has been a key influence on the prayer life of the church and has been a constant source of support for Jeff throughout his ministry. They will both be missed.'

Jeff plans to continue to preach, although not in Tavistock, but he and Liz will continue to live in the town.

The couple, who are grandparents, have two children, Sian, aged 34, who lives in Switzerland, and Jon, 30, in Gunnislake.

Although Jeff never sees a time when he won't be preaching he plans to spend more time with Liz and his family and enjoy some walking on the moors.

'As Methodists we don't "retire", we "sit down" and I've had permission to sit down. Now I'm retired I'm going to sit down a while before I stand up again!' laughed Jeff.