St Mary’s church in the centre of Richmond, Sunday evening 1st November 2009.
The church was full to overflowing for choral evensong, marking the retirement of Canon Julian Reindorp, who has been Rector of Richmond Team ministry since January 1992.
A fanfare started the service.
Long standing Richmond resident Lord (Alan) Watson attended, as did Richmond’s MP, Susan Kramer.
Julian was ordained deacon by the Rt Rev Trevor Huddlestone, Bishop of Stepney at All Saints, Poplar in December 1969.
Over the ensuing years he served as a parish priest in Poplar, Chatham and Milton Keynes before coming to Richmond in 1992.
For all those who have met him, Julian radiates energy, humanity, concern for others, openness and, yes, humility.
One of the most approachable people, and one who never stops working for others.
After the service came some brief speeches and a presentation of retirement gifts.
Lord Watson gave some words of thanks and appreciation for Julian’s work in Richmond.
As did Parish Warden Charles Stiller.
Julian always travels around his parish on a scooter, and one of his presents was a new crash helmet (which he proceeded to try on!)
Julian thanks his congregation.
And so concluded a beautiful ceremony, marking the retirement of a very well loved parish priest.
But he’s not going far – from mid-December Julian will be living in Teddington.
And we think it is certain we have not heard the last from one of the kindest, most public-spirited and hardest-working men that Riversniffers has ever met.
We wish him all the very best in his retirement.
