05 Sep 2023
A heartfelt farewell service to retiring minister Reverend Simon Carver took place at Dagnall Street Baptist Church on Sunday.
Rev Carver is retiring after 32 years in Christian ministry, 17 of which were spent at Dagnall Street.
In his final sermon, Rev Carver reflected on his path from school, where he had mixed reports, before he attended Aston University where he studied physics/metals and material science.
While studying he became involved with and subsequently led the Christian Union, before commencing his first career in a London architectural metalworking firm.
He made the decision to retrain into the ministry in 1991, attending Oxford Regent’s Park College where he obtained an MA in theology and a diploma in pastoral theology. He came to St Albans after serving as minister at New Road Baptist Church in Oxford for 12 years.
Simon’s belief that taking an active interest in the world around us today – whether that be social, cultural or political – is an important part of communicating the Gospel has been at the core of his ministry.
Chris Penn, church secretary at Dagnall Street Baptist Church, said: “It’s with joy and sadness that we bid farewell to Reverend Simon Carver. His ministry, friendship and support has been at the heart of our church for almost two decades. Under his stewardship we have celebrated 300 years of St Albans Baptists worshipping in Dagnall Street, navigated the pandemic, with a shift to online ministry, welcomed a host of new members and baptisms, seen weddings, funerals and been kept up to date with the highs and lows of his beloved Brentford Football Club.”
Among the many people who spoke of their work with Simon and the influence he has had in their life there were two that stood out. Rev’d Rosemary Fletcher, former superintendent minister of St Albans and Welwyn Methodist Circuit, paid tribute to Simon and the work he has done across churches of all denominations, including his role as Free Church Chaplin at the Cathedral and as a founding member of the Winter Beds scheme.
Toby Odesola, who also joined the church with his family as a child in 2006, took the opportunity to exact revenge for participating in many children’s services, in varying costumes, by having Simon dress up this time – in a wonderful Nigerian outfit.
Simon and his wife Catriona are now looking forward to time to rest and reflect, as well as support their three children and five grandchildren.
