MINISTER’S Long Service Marked With Portrait Presentation

7 July, 2021 | Local

 From left, the Rev Alan Sorensen, artist Les Donaghy, and session clerk Grace Kennedy

A GREENOCK church has presented its minister with a portrait to mark 21 years of his service to the congregation.

The painting of the Rev Alan Sorensen, minister of Wellpark Mid Kirk, shows him in his role as a Deputy Lieutenant for the area.

The portrait was painted and the presentation had been arranged for last year to mark 20 years in post, however pandemic lockdown meant that plans had to be postponed until the restrictions were eased.

Mr Sorensen said: “I’m completely overwhelmed, the congregation are so generous! But I’m absolutely delighted.”

Grace Kennedy, session clerk at the church, who organised the celebration, paid tribute to the many events and initiatives which Mr. Sorensen has been responsible for and thanked him for his leadership and tireless work for the congregation and in the town.

The portrait was painted by Les Donaghy, a former minister and old friend of Mr. Sorensen’s, who has for some years been a professional artist.

He had been invited to submit a painting to the National Portrait Gallery’s prestigious annual show in London and suggested that this portrait of the minister in his other role as a Deputy Lieutenant, would make an interesting submission. The exhibition didn’t happen because of the pandemic.

“The portrait has been to London and back –- that’s far more travelling than most of us did last year!” Mr. Sorensen noted.

“So many things have been postponed or cancelled, but kindness and generosity wasn’t, and between my friend Les offering his amazing skill as an artist and Grace’s wonderful thoughtfulness in organising our wee celebration as soon as it was allowed, this is truly an amazing way to mark my first 21 years as minister of the ‘Toon Kirk’!”

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