THE Rector of Wellington, Rev Prebendary Colin Randall, has announced his retirement after 37 in the ministry, 12 of those in Wellington.

His last Sunday at St John's Parish Church will be September 30.

Rev Randall, 61, who leads the Wellington and District Team Ministry comprising the parish churches of Ashbrittle, Bathealton, Bradford-on-Tone, Kittisford, Langford Budville, Nynehead, Rockwell Green, Runnington, Sampford Arundel, Stawley, Thorne St Margaret, Wellington and West Buckland, said this week he had decided to retire earlier than planned because he is exhausted.

In a leaflet announcing his decision given out to churchgoers on Sunday, he said: "I have spoken to the Bishop and to the churchwardens and informed them of my decision.

"The reason is simply that I am quite exhausted, and am no longer able to continue to carry out my role in the way I would wish to, nor indeed in the manner which the parish and the team has the right to expect."

He added: "I continue to have the passion for God's kingdom, but no longer have the energy to put that passion into practice."

He and his wife, Jude, a social worker, have two children, Nicholas, 29, and Lucy, 27.

He came to Wellington in 2000 after ten years at Bishops Hull, and was licensed in St John's Wellington on September 8.

Rev Randall was installed a Prebend of Wells Cathedral in 2006.

John Massey, one of two churchwardens at St John's, told the WWN: "It came as quite a shock.

"He has given it a great deal of thought, and he feels it's the right time to step down.

"It's quite a demanding role being the team vicar, with lots of extra work involved, and it was a brave thing to admit his exhaustion. There were a few tears, and he will be missed. There will now be a vacancy and it's a long process to find the right person, but we hope to have someone in place by 2013.

"We want someone who will give us at least ten years."