The First Baptist Church of Vineyard Haven and the Gay Head Community Baptist Church of Aquinnah have been saddened by the news that their pastor of 14 years, the Rev. Dr. Roger Spinney, is leaving the Island.

“Roger is an all-around good guy and a down-to-earth person,” said Melvin Thornhill, a deacon at First Baptist.

Roger is taking a full-time position at Hospice on Cape Cod. His wife Sharon will continue to commute to her job at the Vineyard hospital, so the Spinneys will continue to maintain their Vineyard connection.

Along with his many duties serving two churches, Reverend Spinney has been involved in various community activities. He is a member of the Rotary Club and the Masonic Lodge, and serves on the board of directors at the Tisbury Senior Center. He volunteers with Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard and is chaplain at the Edgartown house of correction (rumor has it he serves ice cream sandwiches at the church service in jail).

He naturally has officiated at numerous weddings and funerals and has been on Baptist mission trips to South America.

The Spinneys have worked tirelessly to keep the church afloat, both spiritually and financially. The Baptist all-you-can-eat pulled pork fundrasier dinners are renowned.

It would be an understatement to say that the Spinneys will be missed. As is the custom of the Baptist church, an interim minister will serve for some time before a new one is selected. The reasoning behind this is to avoid parishioners making unfavorable comparisons between the new pastor and their former pastor.

Roger will deliver his last sermon on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. He will be leading worship this coming Sunday which is Pentacost.