The Revd Guy Roger Finnie: 1934-2024
'Guy was profoundly loved in all the churches where he ministered'
Guy died on Monday 17 June 2024 from cancer. He has an identical twin brother, John, four or five minutes his junior. He was also brother of the late Andrew, Susanne and Elizabeth.
Guy spent four years studying at the Irish Baptist college in Dublin. His first pastorate was at the Baptist church at Workington in Cumbria.
From there – just married – he went to Dereham Road Baptist Church in Norwich, then to Larbert Baptist Church in Scotland, and last, London Road Baptist Church in Portsmouth, and retirement in Falkirk.
He is survived by Rosemary his wife, Naomi his daughter, Kevin his son-in-law, and grandsons Samuel, Connor and Euan. Guy was profoundly loved in all the churches where he ministered.
His funeral was held at Larbert Baptist Church on Wednesday 26 June. He was 89.
Shadows, by the Revd Guy R. Finnie
As to a summer's evening comes
A glory and a calm of peace,
The lengthening shadows mantled round
A purpled silhouette of trees,
And few birds at a distance fly
Homeward to nests in branches there,
Moving upon that crimson sky
So briefly seen, winged on the air:
As dusk so lays her balm of sleep
And men, and creatures lie to rest
As tranquil as the quiet sheep
And earth is with this silence blest:
As fields and hedgerows, boughs and beds
Stretch forth in darkness to Thy praise,
Oh Lord of life, midst unseen things...
So let my way through nights and days
Be lived in shadow of Thy wings.
Yes! May life's morning joyful be
In lambent radiance of Thy sun,
With eagerness, expectancy,
A strong man now his race to run.
My noonday, let its splendour rise
Mature for duty, or for paid
Still stand Thou, Lord, before mine eyes
When everything seems wax... and wane!
Till quickly comes life's afternoon.
And thus how brevity is very felt!
All my responsibilities so soon
And opportunities it seems, are dealt...
Be guide and hand upon my soul
As darker grows the way before;
And evening brings upon the whole
Of my one life Thy setting sun.
Oh shine in majesty! Shine now
My Lord, upon the substance of my trust;
And let me sink with confirmed vow
Upon the darkness of Thy breast.
Till only Thou art seen! Thou! Thou!
And I am with Thee! This is best!