AN ICKENHAM congregation has bid a fond farewell to their long-serving vicar.
The Reverend Bernie Collins, who has been minister at Ickenham United Reformed Church (URC) in Swakeleys Road for the past six and a half years, said his goodbyes at a special service on the weekend of May 18 attended by friends, family, and past colleagues.
Mr Collins was presented with a ‘This Is Your Life’ book chronicling his long career with the church, and the members of Ickenham URC at St Giles’ Church expressed their heartfelt gratitude for his dedicated service.
Mr Collins, who lives in High Wycombe with his wife, Gwen, is also retiring from the ministry after 39 years, aged 65.
He told the Gazette: “Ickenham has been a good place, with lots of friendly folk.
“It was a great surprise to have the friends I made at different stages in my career sharing their memories.
“I look forward to spending more time with my family, and going to places we haven’t had the time to visit yet.”
Born in Birkenhead, Mr Collins planned to follow a career in town planning after completing a geography degree from Oxford.
A call from God led him into further training for the ministry, and after ordination, he and his wife spent the next 16 years undertaking various roles for the United Church in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.
On his return to the UK, he became minister at Winton United Reformed Church in Bournemouth, before moving north to undertake the role of development officer for the Yorkshire Synod.
He came to Ickenham in 2006, and has since divided his time working with the Churches Together North Thames, covering eight north London boroughs.
Celia Miller, secretary at Ickenham URC, said: “I speak on behalf of everyone at the church, in saying that Bernie will be remembered as a deeply committed Christian, and a kind, caring, and very hard-working minister.”
