Carroll to stay put at chapel pulpit

Last month, the Longboat Island Chapel announced its senior minister, the Rev. Vincent Carroll, will be retiring Dec. 31. On Sunday however, parishioners rejoiced when the Rev. Carroll announced he would be staying.

“This past spring, my wife Molly and I had the ground shift underneath us with our health,” the Rev. Carroll said. “We thought it would be better for us and the church to retire, but the board at the church was able to work out a flexible schedule for us, so we can make our appointments and still be at the church.”

The Rev. Carroll came to the chapel in January 2013. Since then, he has helped increase membership and advance the church’s various programs, including the Aging in Paradise Resource Center.

“It feels wonderful to be able to stay,” the Rev. Carroll said. “We weren’t ready to leave yet, but we thought it’d be best for the church. We were able to work it out, and we’ve very happy to be able to stay with the island community and our chapel.”