and his wife, Elizabeth.

For the first time in many years their entire family will be united here for the festive season, but this Sunday, he will preach his last sermon at Christ Church, Warwick. After 11 years in Bermuda and almost 47 years as an ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland, Rev. Marshall is to retire.

"We are rather glad we are retiring, and not going on to another church because we feel it would be difficult -- if not impossible -- to find a congregation that could even begin to compare with Christ Church.'' Rev. Marshall says that their enduring memory of the Island will certainly be its beauty, "but pre-eminently, for us both, it will be the people we shall miss. They are warm-hearted and welcoming.'' He mentions as just one example, the day when people whom they had never met before turned up to help clear the extensive Manse grounds after the devastation of Hurricane Emily.

Rev. Marshall believes his congregation is unusual in that it is made up of so many different nationalities. People may not realise, he says, that in addition to the many Scots who belong to the church, there is a sizable nucleus of Bermudians and many old Bermuda families, black and white, whose ancestors have belonged to Christ Church since its beginnings in 17... and who, he laughs, maybe even helped build it. Then there are Americans, Canadians and Europeans who are also dedicated members.

Although they feel sad in some ways at the thought of retirement, they are both looking forward to have more free time to spend together, doing some of the things there has never been time for before. "People have always been telling me that I should be more `professional' and detached from my job. But I'm afraid I'm the type who gets involved. So my ministry has tended to be a seven-day a week job. But I wouldn't have it any other way!'' Rev. and Mrs. Marshall have always worked closely together as a team since they were married one month before his ordination.

He credits his wife for the way in which the Sunday School has developed during his Bermuda ministry. There are now with over 200 children divided into seven age groups.

Mrs. Marshall recalls that she was first asked to "talk to the children'' soon after their arrival here. This, she says, was quite a challenge, as she had never become so directly involved in the affairs of her husband's church back in Scotland. Now, she laughs, she even leads the Easter and Christmas meditations in church, and admits that both experiences have widened her insight.

There is also an active group for young people for ages around 12 and 16 and Rev. Marshall pays grateful tribute to his associate minister, Rev. Sarah Nicoll, who specialises in youth work.

"Yes, I am very happy with the idea of women ministers,'' he says. "We have had women in the ministry for some time now. As a matter of fact, the Queen's latest chaplain in the Church of Scotland is a woman.'' When Living caught up with the Scottish couple at The Manse, they were feeling rather emotional after a "wonderful'' farewell gathering, attended by hundreds of the congregation in the church hall the night before.

"Although we had made the decision to retire and have known for some time that we were leaving Bermuda, last night seemed to bring it home,'' he said.

"We have become so close to everyone here. You have to remember, we share the great moments of life with people -- moments of joy and times of great sorrow, so the bonds that are established are very strong. It becomes very hard to say goodbye!'' Meanwhile, the Marshalls are conducting `business as usual' as plans for the great festival of Christmas gather pace at Christ Church. The only difference, says Rev. Marshall, is that he is acutely aware that "this is the last time I've done this, or that. It's a strange feeling!'' He will be involved in the two Christmas Eve services and on Sunday, December 27, he will listen as his son, Rev. Peter Marshall, and chaplain of George Watson's College in Edinburgh, takes over the pulpit for that last, special service.

"I shall be giving the benediction that day. But I like to think there is meaningful symbolism in the younger generation carrying on as the older generation call it a day.'' The Marshalls, who will return to live in Edinburgh, have decided to take the slow route home, with a cruise to Brazil, and then visiting friends and relations in the States, arriving back home when the Scottish winter has turned into spring.

They say the memory of Bermuda will stay with them for ever: "When the time comes to say goodbye, we know it will be with lumps in our throats and with heavy hearts.'' CHRISTMAS FAREWELL -- Rev. and Mrs. Fred Marshall preparing for their last Christmas at Christ Church, Warwick.