Island to join a church in Japan.

Father Robert Thacker, an American, will assume responsibilities as minister at St. Alban's Church in Tokyo on September 26.

St. Alban's is the English speaking congregation of Tokyo and part of Nippon Seiko Kie, the Japanese Anglican Church.

In Bermuda since June 1990, Fr. Thacker and his wife, Maria, have been active in the community on church, musical, and diversity issues.

He was most notably chairman of the Racism Committee of the Anglican Church of Bermuda in addition to his parish responsibilities.

Fr. Thacker came to Bermuda from a church in Roanoke, Virginia in the US. Mrs.

Thacker will relocate from her New York base and continue conducting inter-cultural management for cross border trade.

Last week Fr. Thacker expressed his sadness to the St. Mark's congregation at leaving the Island after nine years of "joyful association''.

Anglican Bishop of Bermuda Ewen Ratteray said Fr. Thacker was a good parish priest.

"He was much loved by his congregation,'' he added. "He'll be missed by them, I'm sure. Life moves on.'' In tomorrow's Royal Gazette Religion section, reporter Patrick Burgess profiles Fr. Thacker.

Fr. Robert Thacker