The Slovenian Ambassador to Britain is to visit Penarth to accept the thanks of a grateful church, for all his country did to try to find a missing minister.

The Rev. David Fox, formerly of Tenby, disappeared while on a mountain walking holiday nine months ago. No trace of him has ever been found.  

David Fox was the minister of the Tenby group of United Reformed Churches which included St. Johns, Tenby, Penally, and Ebenezer, Amroth, between 1983 and 1991.

People in local churches all over Wales, and many further afield, have contributed to a gift of more than £1,500 to assist Slovenia's mountain rescue service.  

The Ambassador, His Excellency Iztok Jarc, will accept the gift at a special service at Elfed Avenue United Church, Penarth, on Thursday, March 26.

The service will also give thanks for the life of David Fox, who was 52 and a minister of the United Reformed Church.

The leader of the United Reformed Church in Wales, the Rev. Peter Noble, will conduct the service.

He said: "When David disappeared, it was a painful time for all of us who knew him. We were comforted by the knowledge that the Slovenian authorities went on searching, long after they might have given up. We want to thank them. We feel honoured that the Ambassador is able to come in person to acknowledge our gift, as part of the thanksgiving service."

As well as being minister at Elfed Avenue, Penarth, which is a joint United Reformed and Presbyterian Church of Wales congregation, David Fox also held a senior administrative position, as clerk to the Synod of Wales of the United Reformed Church. He had previously served across Wales at Tenby, Bettws and Holywell.

Assembly Member for Penarth and Cardiff South, Lorraine Barrett and the Rev. Haydn Thomas, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Wales, will be among those present. Worship material specially prepared by the Rev. Peter Trow, another of David Fox's colleagues, will be used.

Mostyn Davies, an elder at Elfed Avenue, said: "David was not married. He used to say that the church congregation was his family. He was much loved. We will soon begin to think about calling a new minister. This will be an opportunity for the friends and acquaintances of David to join together to remember him and celebrate his life, before we begin to move on."

The service at Elfed Avenue United Church, Penarth, is at 1 pm on Thursday, March 26.