THE communities of Bridestowe and Sourton will be saying farewell to their parish priest at the end of the month.
The Rev David Webber is retiring on March 31, after serving the two communities for four years.
The post has been advertised in the Church Times and a number of applications have so far been received by the diocese, although there is no fixed date for a replacement to take over from Mr Webber.
?I have enjoyed my ministry here and hopefully I will be able to help out from time to time in the future,? he said.
Prior to coming to Bridestowe Mr Webber was based in the Caribbean and before that he did extensive work in urban areas with the homeless.
?There isn?t very much difference between here and the Caribbean apart from the climate.
?Some communities are very much related. There is a closeness and a welcoming heart,? he said.
?You are a stranger and then you become involved in their lives and become part of the community.
?There were the difficulties that we experienced during the foot and mouth crisis and we shepherded people then as best we could,? said Mr Webber.
?We shared the joy and the pain and that has been a privilege.
?My wife and I are staying in Devon in my retirement ? which shows how much we have been made welcome by this part of the country.?
Bridestowe and Sourton parishes are covered by the Northmoor Team Ministry.