Obituaries - Methodist Conference

‘Death is swallowed upin victory’1 Corinthians 15:54

Obituaries - Presbyters who have died 2012/20131. In Great BritainGeoffrey Jackson Ainger: Born in Mistley, Essex on 28 October 1925 to Methodistparents. As a five year old his faith journey began. On leaving school he joined the ChurchArmy, driving mobile canteens into Germany at the end of the war. Having decided tocandidate for the ministry he was accepted in 1947, and trained at Richmond College.Before being stationed Geoff spent a formative period with ecumenical communities inEurope, which strengthened his belief in the importance of collaborative ministry. Afterordination he worked for two years in the USA with the East Harlem Protestant Parish,whilst studying for a Masters degree at Union Theological Seminary. Returning to circuitministry in 1958 he served in the following circuits: Southampton, London (Wanstead &Woodford), London Mission (West), Hemel Hempstead & Berkhamsted, and Orpington.He was a regular broadcaster on radio and TV and a Methodist representative to the firstunity conversations with the Church of England. Geoff was part of the ground-breakingteam ministry in Notting Hill. He published Jesus our Contemporary (SCM 1967) whichencapsulated his commitment to the radical mission of Jesus. He wrote several hymns,including Born in the night, Mary’s child, which is sung worldwide. Following a breakdownand the failure of his first marriage, Geoff resigned from the ministry in 1973, eventuallyemerging with a new self-awareness and a deepened sense of God’s grace. Followingre-instatement in 1981 he resumed circuit ministry, retiring in 1992 to Manningtreeand then Lichfield. A considerable theologian, who read widely and thought deeply,Geoff was an outstanding preacher and teacher always relating the Bible’s message tocontemporary issues. His humanity, humour and compassion made him a superb pastoramong people of all kinds. An encourager, especially of young people, he influencedthe formation of several younger ministers. Diagnosed with cancer in 2009, Geoff wasmagnificently cared for by wife Barbara and children Margaret, Paul and Colin. He spokeoften of life as a gift and lived in that spirit to the end. Among his last words were“Thanks be to God!” He died on 4 January 2013, in the eighty-eighth year of his age andthe fifty-fifth year of his ministry.Reginald Trevor Hill Beardsall: Born in Wombwell, South Yorkshire, on 31 January 1926.Son of Reginald and Margery Beardsall, he was educated as an infant by his grandmother,a retired school teacher, and won a scholarship to Wath on Dearne Grammar School. Atthis time he was very involved in Christian Endeavour, drama and scouting; becoming aKing's Scout. He went on to Liverpool University to study architecture, but after a yearwas called up and sent down the mines as a Bevin Boy for four years. This influencedhim greatly and he became a local preacher and offered for the ministry. In 1947 hewent as a lay agent to St Albans and on to Wolverton and Bletchley as a pre-collegiateminister. In 1949 he went to Hartley Victoria College, gaining his BD with distinction. Heserved in the following circuits: Salford (Pendleton), Chesterfield (Saltergate), Morecambeand Heysham, Manchester & Salford Mission, Exeter, Worcester, and Leamington. HeMethodist Conference Agenda 2013 5

Obituaries - Presbyters who have died 2012/2013Duncan Michael Brereton: Born in Cambridge on 2 April 1931. Duncan was educatedat the Quaker schools of Saffron Walden and Bootham, York. After two years of nationalservice, he studied naval architecture at what is now Newcastle University. On graduating,he gained employment at Swan Hunters shipyard on the Tyne, where he worked for threeyears. Duncan met his future wife Wendy while studying at Newcastle and they weremarried in 1956. Together they had four sons: Stephen, Simon, Nicholas and James.Duncan’s call to ordained ministry had been growing for some time and after trainingat Wesley College Headingley, Leeds, he served in the Mansfield West, Ripon and Hull(Trinity) Circuits. Duncan increasingly felt a vocation to teach and gained permission toenter sector ministry as a full time teacher. In 1971 he was appointed head of RE atBootham School and also taught physics and maths. He became senior resident masterand later was director of studies. He joined the Society of Friends while teaching there.His pastoral qualities transferred themselves wonderfully to his teaching work andstudents and staff alike responded well to his general reasonableness, wise counsel,calm demeanour and listening ear. Retiring in 1992, he was involved with York Quakers,the School Committee, as well as circuit work, running courses for U3A and an OUdegree in maths. He enjoyed reading, sport (particularly cricket, football, golf and sailing),history, politics, classical music, detective stories, woodwork, boatbuilding and the latestin theoretical physics. Duncan emerged from an atheist background into a Christiancommitment which retained a questioning flavour. He had an enquiring mind, striving tounderstand how things worked and looking beyond established convention. He was notafraid to question his faith and relished reasoned debate about God. He was steadfastlysupportive of his family and had a quick, playful sense of humour which made him apleasure to know. Duncan died on 17 June 2012, in the eighty-second year of his age andthe fifty-fourth year of his ministry.Douglas Vernon Brown: Born in Doncaster on 28 March 1926 to Methodist parents.The family moved to Leeds where Douglas was educated, and where the family weremembers at Brunswick during the ministry of Leslie D Weatherhead, William E Sangsterand Douglas’s chief mentor Garfield Lickes. After leaving school he worked in his father’sinsurance broking business until he joined the armed forces during the Second World War,serving mainly in the Far East with the Royal Signals. On his return he joined his father’sestate agency business in Doncaster. Taking over after his father’s death he eventuallysold the business and moved to the Lake District where he continued working as anEstate Agent. Douglas served Methodism all his life; at local church, circuit, district andconnexional levels. He was converted and in his youth and became a fully accredited localpreacher in 1956. He led the “Westminster Laymen’s Movement” along with DouglasBlatherwick and Philip Race. He was elected Vice-President of the Conference in 1964and made several overseas visits. In 1982 Douglas felt called to the ordained ministryand in 1984, after training, went to the Castletown Circuit and was ordained the followingyear. In retirement he continued preaching and was for a time chaplain to the Shanklin8 Methodist Conference Agenda 2013

Obituaries - Presbyters who have died 2012/2013Cottage Hospital and the Isle of Wight Boys’ Brigade. He married Winifred and they wereproud of their two daughters Susan and Janet. He rejoiced at their respective marriagesto Colin and Bill and delighted in his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In 1972Douglas married Margaret; he was indebted to her in so many ways, especially for thesupport she gave him in his service to Methodism. He had many interests, was a memberof the Wesley Historical society, the Methodist Sacramental Fellowship, the Fellowshipof the Kingdom, was a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a life member of theRoyal Institute of Philosophy. Douglas was most proud of the designation “Methodistpreacher”. He died on the 16 August 2012, in the eighty-sixth year of his age and thetwenty-eighth year of his ministry.Ivy Su-Teng Chou: Born in Fuzhou, China, on 2 March 1917. Ivy was the eldest child andher father, a Professor and a Christian, determined that contrary to Chinese culture sheshould have all the chances normally given to a boy. Ivy was given a good education andgraduated in science and became a teacher and later principal of the girls’ school inFuzhou, until the Japanese occupation. In 1946 she went to the USA and graduated witha Master of Education degree in Nashville, continuing her studies at Columbia Universityin New York. Ivy returned to China in 1948 and was principal of a girls’ college in Fuzhoufor two years. As a leading Christian, Ivy was a woman marked out by the Communistregime. She fled from China around 1953, leaving via Hong Kong on a flight to the USA,paid for by a donor whose identity she never discovered. Returning to Columbia Universityshe gained a Doctorate in Education, specialising in planning the leadership programmefor the Methodist Church in Sarawak. In 1955 she became principal of the MethodistTheological School at Sebring, a town in Sarawak. She was ordained in 1958 as an elderin the Malaysian Methodist Church. In 1960, Ivy gained a Master of Divinity degree inNew York and then became a lecturer at Selly Oak Colleges in Birmingham. Followingthis she served as an associate minister at Wesley Methodist Church, Singapore. In1972 Ivy became an executive director of the World Council of Churches TheologicalEducation Fund. In 1977 she retired and transferred to the Methodist Church in Britain,settling in Anlaby, Hull, with her friend and retired missionary Doris Webb. Ivy studiedfor an MA in Literature at the School of Oriental and African Studies, and in 1980commenced teaching Chinese culture and language at Hull University, continuing until1992. Throughout this period Ivy preached in the Hull (West) Circuit. In 1986 she broughther beloved niece Helen, aged ten, to the UK to live with herself and Doris and to give hera British education. She died on 27 August 2012, in the ninety-sixth year of her age andthe fifty-fourth year of her ministry.Frederick Stuart Clarke: Born in Mexborough, South Yorkshire on 2 September 1930,Frederick moved to Chesterfield at the age of four and was educated at Littlemoor Churchof England School and Chesterfield Grammar School. After national service in the Royal AirForce, he read History at Worcester College, Oxford. On graduating, he candidated for theMethodist ministry, was accepted for training at Wesley House, Cambridge, and ordained inMethodist Conference Agenda 2013 9

Obituaries - Presbyters who have died 2012/20131958. That same year he married Janet. They had three children: Susanna, Pauland Katherine. He served in the following circuits: Carlisle (Cecil Street),Nottingham (North), Glasgow (Cathcart Road & Pollokshaws), Stoke-on-Trent(Tunstall), Bradford (Great Horton) and Newark. In 1983, Stuart and Janettrained for overseas service at Selly Oak College. They were sent the followingyear to Sierra Leone, where Stuart spent seven years, first in circuit and then astutor at the Theological College of Sierra Leone, Freetown. On their return toBritain in 1991 they were stationed in the Durham Coast and Peterlee Circuit.During his retirement Stuart gained a doctorate at Nottingham University forresearch on the Christology of Jacobus Arminius. His thesis was later publishedas Ground of Election (Paternoster 2006). He died on 27 July 2012, in theeighty-second year of his age and the fifty-eighth year of his ministry.John Charles Creber: Born in Redruth on 27 February 1924. Living and educated inPlymouth, he trained as an electrical engineer and attended Peverell Park Church. Theeldest of four, John was devastated when his youngest brother died of tuberculosis.Supported by the minister of the church, this experience influenced John’s call to ministry.In 1944 he received a civilian posting to Simonstown Naval Base, South Africa. Havingmet Doris in 1943, John corresponded with her whilst abroad. Returning to England in1946, John’s pre-collegiate years were in the Camelford and Wadebridge Circuit beforetraining at Hartley Victoria College where he made lasting friendships. After marryingDoris in 1953 and ordination in 1954, John served in the Plymouth (East) Circuit. Calledto army chaplaincy, John travelled to Kenya with the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantryduring the Mau Mau uprising. He subsequently served in Nairobi with an African trainingregiment, learning to speak Swahili. Many friends were made in Kenya particularlythrough a Methodist fellowship. Persuaded to transfer to the Royal Navy, John served inTorpoint and Malta, before being appointed to the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes. On returnfrom sea, he was posted to Plymouth and Portsmouth. Throughout these years Johnemphasised the importance of family visiting, beginning Sunday Schools and fellowshipmeetings. In 1981 he was appointed principal chaplain of the Church of Scotland andFree Churches. As principal chaplain, John was appointed Queen’s Honorary Chaplain.Always ecumenical, he arranged retreats and initiated the USA exchange for navalchaplains. Retiring in 1987, he was appointed Commander of the British Empire. Duringretirement John trained local preachers, led groups following Saint Paul’s journeys andcontinued to lead worship. He was chaplain to the mayor of Winchester, WinchesterPrison and officiating chaplain at Worthy Down and to the Army Training Regiment. John’smeticulous approach to everything was reflected in his woodwork and gardening. He wasa supportive and encouraging colleague; gentle and firm with his advice; patient, kindlyand tolerant. John died on 7 December 2012, in the eighty-ninth year of his age and thesixty-third year of his ministry.10 Methodist Conference Agenda 2013

Obituaries - Presbyters who have died 2012/2013Sidney John Dain: Born in Wolverhampton on 15 May 1919. He served in the followingcircuits: Worcester, chaplain to His Majesty’s Forces, Newbury, Ashton-Under- Lyne andStalybridge, Colwyn Bay and Llandudno, Bramhall, Reading, Swanage, and Portsmouthand Southsea. He was supernumerary in Swanage, the Mid Wiltshire United Area,returning to Poole and Swanage, and to the Wiltshire United Area. John died on 20 March2013, in the ninety-fourth year of his age and the seventy- second year of his ministry. Athis own request there is no further obituary.Neville Davis: Born in Willenhall, Staffordshire, on 29 July 1935. He was a scholarshipboy at Wolverhampton Grammar School before studying at the University of Leeds. Havingcompleted his local preacher studies whilst still at school, Neville trained for ministry atHeadingley College. He met his wife Pam while they were still at school and they weremarried in 1958, while he was in training for the Methodist ministry. His years of ministryhave been a whirlwind of vision, innovation and experimentation; always pushing theboundaries, discovering new angles and achieving new things. Neville saw the potentialfor a future, united Church where all Christians could come together in peace to worshipone God. He was involved in the earliest ecumenical projects and maintained thiscommitment throughout his life. Neville believed that the gospel needed to be proclaimedon the streets, walking amongst the people. This led him to spend some of his ministryas a sector minister spending two decades in education; lecturing and then leading adepartment at Bolton Technical College. At this time he was also a magistrate and a localcouncillor. A writer of newspaper articles, books, hymns and Christian musicals, he wasalso involved in local television on the Channel Islands. He was never without a projectof one sort or another. Neville was married to Pam for 54 years and she was always agreat support to him. They had four children; Adam, Rebekah, Esther and Naomi, and tengrandchildren. He was very proud of them all, family life being at the heart of his ministry.Neville served in the Rotherham, Jersey and Darwen Circuits. He retired to Burton inLonsdale and then finally moved to the North Lancashire Circuit. Neville had many friendsboth within and outside of the Methodist Church. All have cause to thank God for him andhis ministry. After a short illness, Neville died peacefully in hospital on 7 December 2012,in the seventy- eighth year of his age and the fifty-fourth year of his ministry.Veronica Mary Suzanne Faulks: Born in New Delhi on 4 January 1947. Veronica waseducated at Fowey Grammar School before studying History at Bristol University. Duringher course she met and married Henry. Subsequent to her degree award Karen was bornin 1970 and Stephen in 1971. Whilst living in Chandlers Ford Veronica heard the callto be a Methodist minister. She was ordained in Sheffield 1980. Veronica was the firstmarried woman to candidate. This made her a pioneer for Methodist women ministers.Through her writings, example and influence she and Henry modelled new ways ofworking. She served in the following circuits: West Wight, Bristol (Kingswood), Reading& Silchester, Richmond & Hounslow. Whilst in Bristol, Henry’s employment moved toGermany, Veronica continued to maintain an active and successful ministry in the circuit.Methodist Conference Agenda 2013 11

Obituaries - Presbyters who have died 2012/2013The pressures however resulted in a breakdown and she was placed on the Presidentslist for a year. This proved to be a creative time of re-assessment and discernment. Shecame to terms with her vulnerability, refused to live out other’s expectations and dugdeeply into the resources of God. In the Reading & Silchester Circuit the churches in hercare, like others before, thrived under her leadership and the large staff team benefitedfrom her pastoral insight and wisdom. Her honesty was unnerving and illuminating asshe challenged the pious game-playing of ministers and lay-people. She was also anoutrageous person of fun - star performer at the Christmas Pantomime, an enthusiasticdancer at staff parties and a devastating Scrabble player. In the Richmond and HounslowCircuit, her plans for the building, her enthusiasm, her pastoral care, her spirituality andbrilliant Bible studies are gratefully remembered. In 2006 Veronica, as a supernumerary,and Henry returned to Reading & Silchester retiring to Tadley. There was time for family,for friends and for her extensive interests. She was diagnosed first with cancer in 2008,and its return in 2011 diminished her quality of life. However, her effervescent characterstill sparkled. She died on Holy Saturday 30 March 2013 in the sixty-seventh year of herage and the thirty-seventh year of her ministry.Donald John Forway: Born in Chadwell St. Mary Essex on 13 September 1931. Heentered the Methodist ministry in 1972 and served in the Falmouth, St. Austell andHelston Circuits, retiring to St Agnes in the Newquay, Perranporth and St. Agnes Circuit,Cornwall in 1993. He died on 1 January 2013, in the eighty-second year of his age andthe forty-second year of his ministry. At his own request there is no further obituary.Kenneth Hawkins: Born in Acomb, York on 11 December 1937. After his schooling, Kendid a stint of national service in the RAF. After this time,Ken felt a strong call to ministry,but decided to opt for teacher training in Durham. After a few years teaching the call toministry was as a strong as ever and Ken went to train at Hartley Victoria College. Heleft in the summer of 1965 and began his ministry with Brenda and his young family asa probationer in the Cheadle Circuit. He then served in the following circuits: Chester,Wolverhampton (Trinity) and Dudley. He had unfailing enthusiasm and passion in hismany and varied roles. He was a big supporter of MAYC and served as National Presidentin 1975/76 and that had a big influence upon his ministry. For personal reasons Kendecided in 1985 to return to teaching and took up a post in Stafford. He was re-instatedas a presbyter in 1994 and served in the following circuits: Leeds (West) and Hinckley. Heretired to an active ministry in the Stafford Circuit where he continued with his customarydedication for all things connected with the ministerial life. He brought to the circuit staffteam a wisdom and perspective that we miss enormously. Ken was a man of humour andstrong conviction and even when we disagreed in the staff meeting context he showed alevel of grace that we could all learn from. Ken was immensely proud of all his family andhis wife Diana. He constantly mentioned the activities of his children Jem, Johnny andKatie and was so proud of them all. Ken was ill towards the end of the summer in 2012and after various tests and examinations he was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer and12 Methodist Conference Agenda 2013

Obituaries - Presbyters who have died 2012/2013passed from us all so quickly. He died on 4 November 2012, in the seventy-fifth year ofhis age and the thirty-ninth year of his ministry.Derek Hinchcliffe: Born in Barnsley on 3 July 1934. A miner’s son, he won ascholarship to Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield and graduated witha geography degree from Hatfield College, University of Durham. He taughtat Holgate Grammar School Barnsley, before becoming head of geography atWath Grammar School, where he helped develop the oratorical skills of futureForeign Secretary William Hague, whilst himself serving as a Labour Councillor inBarnsley. Derek was later a founder member of the SDP, and so he contributed toall shades of the political spectrum. He became deputy head and finally head ofBrampton Ellis School, with a mandate to guide the school safely towards closurethe following year. That year coincided with the miners’ strike, which started atCortonwood Colliery, in the same village as Brampton Ellis School. With his familybackground, Derek had enormous sympathy with miners, but was opposed tothe strike. However, he ensured that none of his pupils, whether from a miningfamily or not, suffered during that time. Both school and pit ultimately closed andDerek took early retirement from teaching in 1985. After preaching and servingMethodism all his adult life in various lay roles, including as circuit steward inBarnsley, Derek was invited to become a lay pastoral assistant in the Sheffield(North-East) Circuit. During this time he was called to offer for full-time ministry.He served in the following circuits: Rotherham, Macclesfield and Barnsley. In thefirst of these, he was a probationer minister, attending the East Midlands MinistryCourse, before ordination in Bolton in 1992. In his final circuit appointment inBarnsley, he was instrumental in building the thriving new Emmanuel Church whichopened in 2002. A man of boundless energy and eclectic interests across music,literature, art, sport, current affairs and travel, Derek lived the fullest of lives,which was celebrated at the thanksgiving service after his death following a year’sillness. Derek leaves a widow, Brenda, children Andrew, Paul and Deborah, andsix grandchildren. He died on 16 August 2012 in the seventy-ninth year of his ageand the twenty-fourth year of his ministry.Edward Hobbs: Born in St George, Bristol, on 24 September 1930. His commitment toJesus Christ came at an early age and all that he did through his life was underwritten bythat faith. He grew up at Wesley Memorial Methodist Church, taking a full part in churchlife. He was made a member in 1948 and accredited as a preacher in 1951. Althoughhe started a career in accountancy in his early twenties, he felt a deep conviction thathe should become a teacher. For many years he taught RE at Sir Bernard Lovell Schoolin Oldland Common. In his mid twenties he met Mary Todd, his minister’s daughter, andthey were married in 1958. They had four girls: Susan, Elizabeth, Helen and Rachel. Heserved the Church in many capacities at local, circuit and district level. He was the districtlocal preachers’ secretary and trained new local preachers in the Bristol (Kingswood)Methodist Conference Agenda 2013 13

Obituaries - Presbyters who have died 2012/2013being evacuated during the war. In 1945 he began an apprenticeship at PortsmouthAviation as a draughtsman working on aircraft design, completing studies in mechanicaland electrical engineering, becoming a member of both Institutes. He continued to enjoysinging in choirs and was active in church with a growing interest in industrial mission. Herealised that through his faith he could combine his practical experience of industry withhis desire to share his faith in the workplace. He began training as a local preacher, thencandidated and, having been accepted, trained at Didsbury Methodist Theological College,Bristol. Peter had met Elaine at Portsmouth and they married in 1962 and had two children,Andrew and Susan. Peter served in the following circuits: Dudley, Bilston, and Newcastle(Mission). During this time, Peter became a part-time industrial chaplain. In 1970 Peterwas appointed as full-time industrial chaplain with the North East Industrial Mission inNewcastle-upon- Tyne. He worked within two industrial manufacturers, setting up lunchtimediscussion groups in both factories. They were open to anyone who wished to join and theycould discuss any subject under the sun that anyone chose to bring to the meeting withPeter putting across the Christian faith perspective. Many people passed through thesegroups over 19 years and Peter said that there were often lively discussions - particularly inthe 1970s. He also preached in the Newcastle District throughout this time. When he was60, Peter returned full-time to the North Shields & Whitley Bay Circuit, enjoying his time asa circuit minister. Retiring in 1994, Peter and Elaine moved back down to Southsea, wherethey enjoyed time with their family and Peter helped in the Portsmouth Circuit. Peter wasa man of great faith and felt that God had enabled him to share it in so many ways withinindustry. He died on 25 September 2012, in the eighty-fourth year of his age and the fiftyfourthyear of his ministry.John Emerson Kennedy: Born in London on 7 October 1934, only son of Nellie andWilliam Kennedy of North Finchley. During the war John’s father took up a job in Spalding,Lincolnshire and John went to Spalding Grammar School. On leaving school, John worked inmenswear, until national service took him into the Army (Royal Artillery) training at Oswestry,Rhyl, Woolwich and Duseldorf in Germany to serve with the 19 th Field Regiment. After thisJohn returned as menswear buyer, where he met Pearl and they were married on 21 July1960. They had two daughters, Linda and Mary. In January 1969 John commenced work inthe Personnel Department of Norprint in Boston. After 23 years John took early retirement.In 1958, John had become a fully accredited local preacher and although he felt a call tothe Methodist ministry, was not accepted at this time. With the introduction of “Ministers inLocal Appointment”, John felt the call should again be tested. Already studying with the EastMidlands Ministry Training Course and having been involved in the ’Lay Witness Movement‘with Pearl, this time he was accepted to serve in the Boston Circuit. In 1994 John wasreceived into Full Connexion and ordained at Horbury. In 1994 John was diagnosed ashaving the early stages of Parkinson’s disease. By 2000 the Parkinson’s was beginning tobecome more pronounced and the decision was made to become a supernumerary fromAugust 2001. In January 2010 John and Pearl moved into a bungalow in Heckington. Withfailing health John had to give up preaching in December 2010 although he continued toMethodist Conference Agenda 2013 15

Obituaries - Presbyters who have died 2012/2013worship at Heckington as often as health allowed. In June 2012 John was admitted toHospital in Boston where he had various investigations which showed that he had cancer.He spent the last few weeks at home in Heckington. When John realised the end was nearhe prepared his own funeral service. John was called home to be with Jesus, who he servedfor many years, on 17 August 2012, in the seventy-eighth year of his age and twentiethyear of his ministry.Peter Avon Kerridge: Born on 5 August 1920 in Great Yarmouth into a Methodist home.Peter won a scholarship to Yarmouth Grammar School, after which he gained invaluablebusiness experience in the insurance industry. When war came in 1939 Peter became aconscientious objector. In 1942 he offered as a candidate for the Methodist ministry. Aftertraining at Handsworth he was ordained in 1947 and married Joyce whom he had met inNorwich. He served in the following circuits: Hexham, Doncaster (North-East), St Albans,Hull (Trinity) and Hull (North). In these years the family arrived – Jonathan, Monica andRachael. Beyond his circuit work he had two spells as synod secretary before becomingchairman of the York and Hull District in 1970. He was ‘pastor pastorum’, chief amongpastors. After five years as chairman he was appointed secretary and then generalsecretary of the Property Division and secretary of the Board of Trustees for MethodistChurch Purposes. To those offices he gave a human face and ensured that the Divisionwas an agency for helping the large number of churches undertaking the transformation oftheir buildings. The 70s also saw the preparation and then the passing of the MethodistChurch Act 1976. In the Board of Trustees Peter introduced a computer system to deal withthe thousands of Trust investments. Ministers who worked with Peter always found him themost supportive of colleagues and the staff not only respected but loved him. Peter servedon numerous connexional committees, the Churches Main Committee and the Board ofMethodist Chapel Aid. He had a great capacity for work, a prodigious memory and an eyefor detail. He was shrewd and wise, conscientious to a fault but always a people person.Retirement brought Peter back to York where his ministry continued. Now he had time tospend with his family enlarged by grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His wife Joycepredeceased him. His last years brought memory problems but Peter maintained his smileand sense of humour to the end. He died suddenly at his home on 3 February 2013 in theninety-third year of his age and the seventy-first year of his ministry.Jack Leach: Born in Rochdale on 15 February 1936. Jack was the only son of Charlesand Nora Leach, a brother to his late sister Joyce and younger sister Nora. As ayoung boy Jack attended St Peter’s School and St Peter’s Church where he was headchoirboy. After leaving school he started work at Petrie & NcNoughts and trained as apattern maker. During this period Jack met Molly at a dance in Rochdale Town Hall. In1957 Jack was called up to do his national service and was sent to Hong Kong for 20months. It was during his time in Hong Kong that he became a born again Christian.After completing his national service, Jack and Molly were married on 18 July 1959, atDearnley Methodist Church. They were blessed with three children – Stephen, Sue and16 Methodist Conference Agenda 2013

Obituaries - Presbyters who have died 2012/2013Joanne; five grandchildren, Danielle, Joe, Jake, Katie and Charlie; and a great-grandson,George. In 1965 he joined Rochdale Borough Police Force and served 25 years in variousdepartments: patrol branch, panda cars, 7 years in the CID, the Coroner’s Office and theAsian Liaison Office. They named him ‘the Rev’ in the police office! As well as carryingout his police duties, he was called upon to deal with people with emotional problems; topray for and counsel them. Jack received an award from the chief constable for rescuingtwo ladies out of a house fire. In 1990 God called Jack to the ministry. He trained atHartley Victoria, after which he served in the Cadishead, Eccles and Burnley Circuits. Onretirement he returned to his home in Dearnley where he enjoyed his hobbies – crowngreen bowling, snooker and billiards. He was a fan of Rochdale FC. He had a passion formusic of all kinds; singing in Messiah every year, and listening to brass bands. Jack had awonderful preaching ministry and had a special gift of touching people’s lives. He alwaysput people first before himself. He died on 27 December 2012 in the seventy-seventhyear of his age and the twenty-second year of his ministry.Harry Lister: Born in Stacksteads, Bacup on 28 November 1914 and raised in Fleetwoodafter the Great War. Converted as a young man, he became a respected local preacher.Following war service in the shipyards, he returned to work in Burton Menswear inWarrington. He and Laurie were married on 27 December 1944 and they had two childrenDaphne and Jennifer. Harry was greatly encouraged by the Revd J H Sanders to offer forthe ministry, candidating in 1949. He studied at Hartley Victoria College, he was postedas a probationer to the London Mission (Hackney and Clapham) Circuit. He served in thefollowing circuits: Bacup, Bury, Alston, Southport (Banks & Hesketh Bank) and Gornaland Sedgley. He retired to Southport (Banks and Hesketh Bank) Circuit. Harry’s ministrywas founded on sound evangelical preaching and consistent pastoral visitation. He hada clear understanding of sin, salvation and the centrality of the cross. His ministry wasinfluenced by respected ministers such as the Revd Dr W E Sangster, the Revd Dr MartynLloyd Jones, and Roy Hession, and he served alongside and had a close friendship withthe Revd David Pawson. Harry held strong convictions and continued in his preaching,teaching, local preacher tutoring and visitation ministry, alongside the ministers in theBanks Circuit until his 92 nd year. He remained especially close to the Revd Keith Jarviswith whom he enjoyed close fellowship and deep friendship. Harry was an honourable,diligent, respected and likable man of God. He personified Revelation 2:10, “Be thoufaithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” He was called to serve theMethodist people and did so truly and faithfully. He died in Elm House Nursing Home,following a prolonged illness, on 28 October 2012, in the ninety-eighth year of his ageand the sixty-third year of his ministry.Frances Elizabeth Mackey: Born in Sheffield on 5 February 1947. Moving to Leeds asa young child Elizabeth was educated at Lawnswood High School for Girls. The youngestof three, Elizabeth was born into a family of strong democratic and socialist principles,regularly taking part in family councils where all had their say and developing an earlyMethodist Conference Agenda 2013 17

Obituaries - Presbyters who have died 2012/2013sense of fairness and justice. On leaving school Elizabeth trained as a secretary workingin a number of secretarial roles. The birth of her first son Colin in 1974 would be a greatjoy but with the end of her first marriage she returned to family roots in Sheffield. Buildinga new life as a single parent Elizabeth demonstrated the immense strength and couragefor which she was greatly respected. She was active in the fair rents movements andcampaigned for tenant’s rights. Here she would meet her second husband David andcelebrate the birth of another son Dan in 1978. Having been baptised and confirmedin 1973 this period saw her faith growing and the discernment of a call to preach. Thesudden death of husband David came as a great shock yet Elizabeth responded withgreat courage and determination. Starting her local preaching training in 1981 she wasaccredited in 1983 before offering as a candidate in 1985. Training at Wesley College,Bristol, Elizabeth was ordained in 1990. She served in the following circuits: Bolton,Huddersfield (East), Sheffield (West), and Worksop and Kiveton. As her discipleshipdeveloped and grew she became a Companion of the Northumbria Community and greatlyvalued its support and encouragement. Following a period of ill health Elizabeth retiredin 2011 and came to live in Leeds, delighting at finally owning her own home. She isremembered for the immense strength she showed throughout her life and for her abilityto love and care both for the members of her own family but also her congregations andcolleagues. Immensely proud of her family and rooted deeply in her faith Elizabeth diedon 6 September 2012, in the sixty-sixth year of her age and the twenty-fifth year of herministry.Mary Marjorie Maltby: Born at Spotby, Lincolnshire, on 9 September 1911, the secondchild of a family of four, with three brothers. As a girl Marjorie responded to a call to be alocal preacher. Her dedication led her minister to suggest she candidate for the WesleyDeaconess Order. She entered the Order in 1939 and served in Hull, Nottingham Mission(during WW2), renewal and rebuilding in Liverpool Linacre Mission, pioneering youth workin Bristol, industrial chaplaincy at the Manchester & Salford Mission, a pastoral chargeat Staveley, leadership of the ecumenical Lincoln City Centre Team Ministry and finallyworking with international students in Methodist International House, Newcastle-on-Tyne.From there she candidated for the ministry and was ordained at Bristol in 1973. Sheserved in the Lincoln (South) Circuit. As a supernumerary she began an active ministryin the Newark Circuit. Full retirement followed as she returned to live in the Lincoln(North) Circuit, where she continued to preach regularly, shared a voluntary chaplaincyat St. Barnabas’ Hospice, was a board member at a local Abbeyfield home and led abereavement group and shared a Bible study group until well into her late nineties.Throughout her working life she was known for her energy and work rate. She wasarguably one of the leading women theologians of her day, yet her preaching and teachingwas always memorable and acceptable to all. Her pastoral care was second to none,practical, prayerful, and kindness itself. Marjorie was great fun with an infectious sense ofhumour and a smile which betrayed it. She was artistic, and her poetry was warm, gentleand perceptive, opening the reader’s eyes to her view of the beautiful world in which we18 Methodist Conference Agenda 2013

Obituaries - Presbyters who have died 2012/2013live. Her pastoral caring was second to none and she was certainly an inspiration togenerations of people, young and old. Marjorie is survived by her sister-in-law, Joan, herniece Heather and nephew John. She died suddenly on 2 November 2012, in the onehundred and second year of her age and the thirty-third year of her diaconal ministry andthe fortieth year of her presbyteral ministry.Eric McKenzie: Born in Newcastle on 1 October 1934. Eric grew up with two greatpassions; sport, in particular cricket and Newcastle United Football Club, and the loveof God that he found expressed in the great hymns of the Methodist church which heattended along with the rest of his family. He first found employment with British Railin York, starting as a signalman and then working in the office collecting railway rents.However, from a very early age the Church was a large part of his life, especially workingwith young people and his involvement in a number of youth clubs. It was this backgroundthat influenced a ministry which was founded on the everyday lives of ordinary peopleand also how he met his much loved wife Margaretta, who he married in 1958. His firstappointment was as a probationer minister in the Preston (Lune Street and Orchard)Circuit in 1966. It was here that Eric and Margaretta welcomed Stephen and Jane intotheir lives with Carolyn joining the family during their time in Stockton. He served in thefollowing circuits: Stockton, Watford, London (Blackheath and Lewisham), and Shooter’sHill. He retired to Shirley, Croydon in 2001 where he was appreciated as a preacher andsupported and encouraged colleagues in the active ministry. Throughout his ministryand into retirement Eric was also actively involved with hospital chaplaincy, ending withthe Oxleas Trust in South London. A warm and friendly man, he had a gift for startingconversations, a ready smile and was always willing to help in whatever way he could. Hedied on 11 February 2013, in the seventy-ninth year of his age and the forty-eighth year ofhis ministry.Robert Thomas McKinley: Born in Bradford, Yorkshire on 23 February 1951. The familymoved to Ilkley where his father was head groundsman at the local TB hospital. It washere that Bob acquired his lifelong love of plants. In 1968 the family moved again,this time, to Southampton where Bob met his future wife, Julia. In July 1974 Bob andJulia were married. Having read Natural Sciences at St. John’s College Cambridge, Bobcompleted his PhD in Kent investigating a disease of the strawberry plant. In 1975Bob secured employment in Romsey and he and Julia attended the Methodist Churchwhere, over the years, he served as circuit steward and a local preacher. He was veryproud of his two children Susannah and Christopher. For the next 16 years he workedas a horticultural training officer and then technical adviser for the Horticultural TradesAssociation. During his travels Bob increasingly began to feel a call to the presbyteralministry. In 1995 he trained at Sarum College, Salisbury; a Methodist amongst Anglicans.He served in the following circuits: Southampton and Bournemouth. As superintendentof the latter, he recognised that some hard pruning was required. The circuit now boastsof five thriving churches instead of nine struggling ones. First and foremost Bob excelledMethodist Conference Agenda 2013 19

Obituaries - Presbyters who have died 2012/2013in preaching the gospel. Although highly academic he was able to expound the Bible insuch a way that all could understand and learn. He was candidate’s secretary for theSouthampton District. At home he loved listening to music, reading, and tending hisbeloved plants. A troublesome wisdom tooth back in 2009 was the first sign of somethingamiss. His final two years were borne with great courage. Despite major mouth surgery,just ten days before Christmas, he learnt that the cancer had returned and was terminal.He was still able to preach on Christmas Day 2011. He spoke of God sending Jesusto ‘disturb’ us. He knew what this meant. He bore the remaining six months with greatdignity. He died on 21 June 2012, in the sixty- second year of his age and the fourteenthyear of his ministry.Paul Arthur Mears: Born in Croydon, Surrey on 19 January 1936. He attended WestCroydon Methodist Church with his family and was a member of the Youth Club and theScouts, obtaining the Queens Scout Award. His love for football and Crystal Palace wereimportant to him. After leaving school he worked in a London bank for a year, beforejoining the RAF as a regular to avoid national service in the Army. He served in Egyptand Cyprus, surviving several life and death situations with the Mountain Rescue Team.He was sent on a moral leadership course to the Holy Land, where the Bible became areality for him. Consequently, he left the RAF to go to Cliff College for further educationbefore being accepted for Ministerial Training at Handsworth College in 1958. After afive year engagement, Paul married Leila in 1961, they had two children, Althea andWendy. He served in the following circuits: Leyburn, army chaplain Her Majesty’s Forces,Wesley House Gibraltar and Poole. Paul served as a Methodist army chaplain for 24 yearsduring which time he had postings in Germany, Aldershot, Chepstow Apprentices College,Northern Ireland, Cyprus, Bovington and Belize, He also visited many other countries onexercises . Whilst minister at Broadstone in the Poole Circuit he challenged the churchwith a vision of revival, and eventually a beautiful new church was built with the combinedefforts of an energetic and lively congregation. He seemed to inspire many people duringhis life, as he was a very caring and compassionate person for everyone. He retired in2001, and continued with his duties as Dorset British Legion County chaplain and thePoole Air Force Cadets Chaplain. He also became a chaplain for SAGA round the worldcruises. Paul continued to preach in the Wimborne and Poole Circuits as long as he wasable. He touched the lives of many people as he travelled around and all were saddenedas he developed Alzheimer’s Disease. He died on 6 May 2013, in the seventy-seventhyear of his age and the fifty-second year of his ministry.Isaac Ramsay Moore: Born in Langside, Glasgow, on 18 June 1925. Ramsay waseducated locally at Battlefield Junior and Queens Park Senior schools and on leavingworked in local government. Although eligible age-wise for military service, he neverenlisted for health reasons. During a holiday at a Sidholme Methodist Guild holidayhome, Ramsay met and fell in love with Jean Goodman. They were married on 25 July1953 and there followed 53 years of happiness. In due season Ian and Christine were20 Methodist Conference Agenda 2013

Obituaries - Presbyters who have died 2012/2013born. In 1947 Ramsay offered himself and was accepted for ministry. He trained atHartley Victoria College and was always proud and grateful for its influence. He wentto St Andrews Selly Oak for missionary training. He served in the following circuits:Kendal, Leeward Islands (St Kitts), Falkirk, Wallacestone & Stirling, Barrow-in-Furness,Bristol (Staple Hill & Fishponds), London (Finchley & Hendon), and Tunbridge Wells. Onretirement in 1990 Ramsay and Jean moved to Poole, where for nine and half years heserved as chaplain to the Macmillan Unit at Christchurch Hospital. He then spent threeyears in pastoral charge of Wool in the Poole Circuit. Ramsay was a faithful and loyalMethodist minister who served his Lord and master with great devotion, ever mindful ofthe solemn vows he had made at his ordination. To serve his Lord in this way was aninestimable privilege and he marvelled ever that God had called him. In all the circuitsin which he served, there are those who recall his ministry with deep gratitude andthe man himself with great affection. Following Jean’s death in 2006 he had severalspells in hospital and eventually moved to Maidment Court MHA. After 18 months hetransferred to a local care home, where he remained for next 3 years. These were painfuland irksome times, but he bore his sufferings with great Christian fortitude. He died on30 November 2012, in the eighty-eighth year of his age and the sixty-third year of hisministry.William Murphy: Born in Faversham, Liverpool, on 25 January 1930, Bill left school at16 to work in the accounts office of the Cunard Shipping Company. At 18 he joined theRAF for his national service and went to Boscombe Down. He had been very involved inthe Anglican Church during his youth, but meeting the Revd Jack Kaye led Bill to becomea Methodist. He trained at Didsbury College, Bristol. He married Joy, a nurse, in 1963.She became his life partner and active participant in his ministry. They had four children- Craig, Andrew, David and Corinne; ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Heserved in the following circuits: Basingstoke, London Mission (Wandsworth Road), Dorkingand Horsham, London (Harrow) and Amersham. While at Harrow, he was involved in aseven-month exchange in Kenya, during which he was superintendent of two circuits atthe same time: the large Kariokor and the Charles New Circuits. Bill and Joy retired tothe Vale of Aylesbury Circuit. His retirement saw the development of a new sphere ofministry. From the tragedy of his daughter Corinne’s road accident and brain injury camethe transforming vision of improving life for needy children in Kenya, and the KaribuniTrust came into being in 1995. Under Bill’s leadership, the charity grew from the smallestof beginnings to one which currently supports more than 1,200 children in 14 projects.In the process, many children’s lives have been turned around. Bill and his wife Joyvisited Kenya at least once every year to share with staff and children in the projectsand to ensure that the Trust’s funds were being put to best use. He was a leader withreal charisma and stubborn determination, a caring pastor and passionate preacher. Hisinspiration will live on in the lives of thousands of people across the world. He died on 13November 2012, in the eighty-third year of his age and the fifty-third year of his ministry.Methodist Conference Agenda 2013 21

Obituaries - Presbyters who have died 2012/2013John Myer: Born in Camberwell London on 3 January 1919. He won a scholarship toBattersea Grammar School in 1930 and it was during his education there that his deeprooted pacifism developed. In 1936 he was hospitalised for 14 weeks and during thattime was given the Gospel of St Mark in modern English which he read without knowingwhat it was. As a result he became a convinced and enthusiastic Christian. He wasa founder member of the Peace Pledge Union and group leader for the Fellowship ofReconciliation. He entered the Civil Service and became an accredited local preacherin 1939. As a conscientious objector in World War 2 he worked with the Friends ReliefService, the ISVP, the Civil Defence and as a volunteer fire-fighter. He married DorothyAllen in 1941 and that same year started working for the National Children’s Home inHarpenden. Their son John was born in 1942 and at this time Dorothy was taken ill withTB. John became Methodist youth officer for East Anglia in 1948. He was accepted forministerial training in 1949 and spent a pre-college year serving in Torpoint in Cornwallthen Handsworth College Birmingham in 1951. He served in the following circuits:Bournemouth, London (Walthamstow), Redhill, Kenya District, Hull (West), Rugby andDaventry, and Bedford (South) and Ampthill. During his time in Walthamstow Dorothy diedand he later married Peggy Williams. He and Peggy had two children, Tim and Mark. Afterhis retirement to Banbury Oxfordshire John served as prison chaplain in Onley YoungOffenders Institution, at Guys Marsh Prison, Dorset and at Bullingdon Prison. He was acompassionate man, a pastor, passionate preacher and teacher. He continued takingservices on the Methodist circuit and at St Francis Ecumenical church Banbury where hewas associate minister. He took his final service on 9 December 2012. He remained aconvinced pacifist and ecumenist with a passion for justice and fair trade. He loved hisfamily deeply having eight grandchildren ranging from two years old to forty three. Johndied on 27 December 2012 in the ninety-fourth year of his age and the seventieth year ofhis ministry.William John Palmer: Born in Peel in the Isle of Man on 7 November 1915.Throughouthis life he was proud of his Manx heritage. During his teens his minister told him it wastime that he started preaching, so with no formal training he began to take services. Willwent on from his local preaching to candidate for the ministry, trained at Didsbury Collegeand ordained in 1938. In 1942 he married Nora Phillips. He served in the followingcircuits: Dursley & Stonehouse, Halifax (St. Johns), Camborne (Wall), Leeward IslandsWest Indies (St Kitts and St Eustatius), Birmingham Mission, Birmingham (Smethwick),Penzance (Central), Penzance, St Columb & Padstow, Kimberley, Penzance, Nottingham,Penzance, St. Ives (Fore Street), Ramsey. Island life in the Caribbean suited Will's gifts;these were some of his happiest days. He returned to the UK only because of concernfor his children's education. He found the chaplaincy to the Dudley Road mental hospital,Birmingham a great challenge, but thoroughly enjoyed leading the Dudley Road men'sfellowship. One friend from Brookfield Methodist church says, “Will was such a gentleand caring man. When he spoke about his faith he lit up so that it shone out of himand you could see it was very real.“ After his wife Nora died, he returned to Peel and22 Methodist Conference Agenda 2013

Obituaries - Presbyters who have died 2012/2013enjoyed ministering in Kirk Michael. Speaking about the Christian faith was a challengeand thrill for Will, and he continued to preach and speak well into his eighties. He had awide variety of interests during his life: he captained his school swimming team and alsoplayed cricket, hockey and tennis. He was an avid gardener. He followed the fortunes ofWest Bromwich Albion AFC. In retirement he built his own loom and experimented withdifferent wools, silks and colours, weaving cloths and rugs. He listened to classical musicto relax. Will was a very astute judge of character and was very true to his principles: hewas a lifelong member of the Independent Order of Rechabites. He made his final journeyinto the loving care of the God he served throughout his life on 2 May 2013, in the ninetyeighthyear of his age and the seventy-fifth year of his ministry.Walter Roy Pape: Born in Bulwell, Nottingham, on 21 June 1935, into a family with deepMethodist roots. Roy was educated at Long Eaton Grammar School and gained a BAat Queen Mary College London. Within the fellowship of Methsoc he met Jill Mettam,and they married in 1960 on the completion of Roy’s ministerial training at RichmondCollege. A year’s study for a Master’s degree at the Yale Divinity School followed. Aftera probationary appointment they shared a fruitful ministry of 14 years in the Church ofSouth India. Roy served first in the Kolar Gold Field, then on the staff of the prestigiousUnited Theological College in Bangalore. Here he blossomed as a theological teacherwho made a deep impression on his students, many of whom went on to take upsenior positions in the Church. They valued his patience and deep interest in them asindividuals each with their own gifts and needs, as well as the passion and clarity of histeaching. They were equally indebted to Jill for her generous welcome and hospitality. Thehome was enriched further when their son Chris and daughter Liz came into the familyby adoption. Roy engaged deeply with Indian religious thought, both Christian and Hindu,a process which enabled him to make a creative contribution to inter faith thinking ontheir return to Britain in 1976. He served in the following circuits: Newark, Derby (DerbyMission) and Loughborough. Every aspect of his ministry mattered whether in clear andhighly informed preaching, deep pastoral concern or the minutiae of circuit administration,he was a great friend and support to his colleagues. He served on Methodist andecumenical inter faith committees, inspiring important publications like Can we praytogether? and God of all faith. His spare time activities included a close knowledgeof Roman Britain among other topics, and he also had a keen sense of humour. Hecontinued to preach and lead study sessions as a supernumerary, but in June 2010 hesuffered serious brain damage in a fall at home, and spent his final two years first inhospital, then in a specialist care home. He died on 8 August 2012, in the seventy-eighthyear of his age and the fifty-fourth year of his ministry.Nicholas Rimmer: Born at Hesketh Bank, Lancashire, on 10 April 1928 into a Methodistfarming family, Nicholas was the youngest of seven children. After primary education,he went to Hutton Grammar School becoming a prize-winning pupil, where he gained hisHigher School Certificate a year early. Whilst studying for his Higher School CertificateMethodist Conference Agenda 2013 23

Obituaries - Presbyters who have died 2012/2013he became a local preacher, preaching his first sermon at Banks Methodist churchin February 1945. The call up for military service came in 1946 to the Loyal NorthLancashire Regiment. Nick served in Libya and Salonika, and was promoted to sergeantinstructor in 1947 before being discharged in 1948. That year before entering WesleyHouse, Cambridge he began a pre-collegiate year in the Market Weighton Circuit andduring this time he met Joyce, who was to become his wife. During his training Nickhad a placement in the Faculty of Theology at Goettingen University in Germany. Hewas ordained in July 1953 at the Wolverhampton Conference and a fortnight latermarried Joyce; they had two children Janet & Antony. He served in the following circuits:Presteigne & Kington, Otley, Leeds (Horsforth and Kirkstall), Scunthorpe, Skegness andWainfleet, Grimsby (West) and Bradford (Woodhouse Grove). He was the Lincoln DistrictSynod Secretary, and a member of the Connexional Finance Committee. Nicholas retireddue to ill health in 1987 and returned to Immingham with Joyce. Throughout his ministry,Nicholas was an excellent administrator and outstanding pastor. During his retirement asa supernumerary minister, he regularly assisted at communion services and was a localpreachers’ tutor. He edited the local church magazine and wrote the “Saturday Message”column weekly for the Grimsby Evening Telegraph for about 20 years. He was a wellorganised,thoughtful, kind and caring man with profound intellect and integrity. He had adelightfully dry sense of humour. Although his latter years were clouded by failing mentalcapacity, his concern for others, his sense of humour and his ability to laugh at himselfnever left him. He died peacefully on 5 September 2012, in the eighty-fifth year of his ageand the sixty-first year of his ministry.William Robertson: Born in Glasgow on 24 December 1946. William, known as Bill,served in the following circuits: Gateshead and Jarrow, Ipswich, Danby, Falmouth,Pembrokeshire, Teignmouth and Teignbridge. Bill died on 28 March 2013, in the sixtyseventhyear of his age and the twenty-seventh year of his ministry. At his own request,there is no further obituary.Charles Edward Roos: Born in North London on 30 April 1931. He attended aMethodist Sunday school, later becoming a member of a mission band and localpreacher in the Staines and Feltham Circuit. Following national service, Eddie qualifiedas a schoolteacher, with a diploma in Physical Education. Whilst in his first teachingappointment in Surbiton, he was accepted for ministerial training at Richmond College,where he gained the degree of Bachelor of Divinity in the University of London. He servedin the following circuits: Holyhead, Ipswich, Dorking and Horsham, London (Harrow),Eastbourne and Wimborne. Eddie and Ann, childhood friends and near neighbours inEgham, Surrey, were married in 1958, shortly before Eddie entered circuit ministry. Theirswas a close and happy partnership in marriage and ministry for 54 years, their 2 sonsMichael and David being a source of pride and delight. Energetic and purposeful, Eddiewas a keen and active sportsman throughout his life; first cricket and tennis, then golf(as an ardent and longstanding member of the Free Church Ministers’ Golf Society). His24 Methodist Conference Agenda 2013

Obituaries - Presbyters who have died 2012/2013other acquired interests included music, reading, gardening and travel. In ministry, Eddieendeavoured to keep up to date with biblical and theological studies, and was deeplyconscious of the heavy burden imposed on those called to preach the Gospel effectivelyin the face of acute pastoral needs. Invariably willing to accept the responsibilities of hisoffice, at different times in circuit ministry, he became district children’s secretary anddistrict ecumenical officer. In most circuits, he served as the local Free Church hospitalchaplain. Whilst serving in the Ipswich Circuit, he became a founder member and directorof the local branch of the Samaritans. As a supernumerary, Eddie returned with Ann toEastbourne, where he continued regularly to preach, acquiring new skills in computingand desktop publishing, which characteristically he used in devoted service to his localMethodist church. Eddie died on 11 June 2012, in the eighty-second year of his age andthe fifty-fourth year of his ministry.Robert William Salmon: Born in Harrow, Middlesex on 22 May 1915. He was the middleson of William George Salmon, from a family of farmer/butchers in north Cornwall. Hisfather had offered for the ministry aged 19. Robert was educated at Kingswood School andin his late teens committed his life to Jesus Christ going on to Wesley College Headingley,Leeds to train for the ministry in 1938. By this time he was engaged to Marion Watts butbeing a minister in training, had to wait until January 1945 to be married. Even as theyplanned their wedding in the middle of London under rations and in an atmosphere of warthey were constantly reminded that they had no surety of ‘tomorrow’. He served in thefollowing circuits: Diss, Bromley Common & Orpington, Wakefield, Mansfield (Bridge Street),Norwich (St. Peters), Bristol (East), Ilford, Aldershot & Farnborough, and Brighton & Hove.In the Bromley Common & Orpington Circuit he was the first minister at a new church inPetts Wood that started in an empty shop. In other circuits he was involved in new buildingprogrammes for three churches. He was devoted to his Lord and to Methodism, alwayslooking for ways of working together with other church leaders and communities. He retiredin 1981 and he and Marion were delighted to live in property provided by the MethodistMinisters Housing Society near the North Downs which they loved. Retirement opened upnew opportunities; he enrolled on a cookery course for men, took up painting and continuedhis love of gardening and producing food for the kitchen. As an active supernumerary inthe Guildford Circuit he served the local church and community in a multitude of ways. Heis remembered by many for his pastoral care, encouragement and solid faith. After Mariondied in 2010 Robert continued to live independently, and although missing her hugely, hispositive attitude in all things was testimony to his faith and relationship with God. He diedpeacefully on 12 February 2013, in the ninety-eighth year of his age and the seventy-firstyear of his ministry.Denys John Saunders: Born in Hendon on 16 January 1921. Denys participated in hisfirst JMA rally in Sunday School at St Albans' Methodist Church. Growing older, he wasoften accompanied by Peggy England; they married in December 1946. He candidatedfor the ministry in 1940, working in Rochdale Circuit in 1945 and in Huntingdon in 1946,Methodist Conference Agenda 2013 25

Obituaries - Presbyters who have died 2012/2013before ordination in July 1947. In September 1948, Denys worked in the MissionaryEducation Department at Mission House, London. At a MAYC function, Denys wasresponsible for display panels, feeding his passion for communication. In 1949, Denysand Peggy (with twins Sheila and John) arrived in Medak, Andhra Pradesh, India. Denys,already a keen photographer, shot for the diocesan Hyderabad Bulletin and for MissionHouse. He started the Filmstrip Group, whose first film showed leprosy work in Dichpalli.He was not deterred when he contracted polio despite having lost a kidney as a child. In1956 Denys joined the staff of the training school where he helped village evangelistscommunicate the gospel, publishing Visual Aids for Village Workers in 1960. In 1958,the family (now including Dave and Peter) returned to England. Two years later, Denysjoined them to work at Mission House as visual aids editor, producing material explainingthe World Church to British Churches and travelling around the world to train people. In1972, the work now ecumenical, he moved to Selly Oak Colleges in Birmingham. Denyswelcomed and encouraged all. He served in the following circuits: Mission Committee,Church of South India, Mission Committee, Birmingham (South-West). In retirement in1986, Denys and Peggy stayed at Selly Oak and a new flowering of ministry began. Whenpreaching Denys spoke of what he found to be real and true; his humility and honestyinfluenced many. Pastorally diligent and caring, he rose early for prayer, swam vigorously,tended his allotment and read avariciously. Early in 2013 he started a new 'happinesscampaign'. This belonged to his Eucharistic living: we receive, we are grateful and weshare. “It's never too late to get it“ he said. He died on 20 February 2013, in the ninetythirdyear of his age and the seventieth year of his ministry.Graham Curtis Sellars: Born in Hunslet, Leeds, on 9 February 1941 into a Methodistfamily. After passing his 11+ at Hunslet Carr Primary School, he attended Cockburn HighSchool. His main interests were geography, sport and music. In his early teens he wasappointed organist at Beeston Hill Baptist Church and met his future wife Janice (theminister’s daughter) there. Graham read Geography at Leeds University, achieving a firstclasshonours degree and then an MA with Distinction. After a year’s teacher training inManchester, Graham was appointed to Cross Green Comprehensive in Leeds to teachGeography and Religious Education. Graham and Janice were married at Beeston HillBaptist in 1967, a year before he accepted a post as Geography Lecturer at St. John’sCollege, York, where he spent 21 happy years. Their son Martin was born in 1978.Graham felt a call to the Methodist Ministry and was accepted for part-time training onthe Northern Ordination Course. He served in the following circuits: Norwich and York(North), in both he chaired the local school Governors and undertook prison chaplaincywork. He ‘retired’ to the Malton Circuit in 2006 where he had pastoral charge of threechapels and played a full part in circuit and ecumenical life, including leading localpreachers fellowships, line-managing lay employees, and chairing inter-church ministers’meetings. Graham was immensely talented, extremely modest and very approachable. Hehad a strong personal faith and a deep commitment to Christ, His Church, and all people.He had a ‘listening ear’ and exercised a very effective, caring and greatly appreciated26 Methodist Conference Agenda 2013

Obituaries - Presbyters who have died 2012/2013pastoral ministry. He was a gifted pianist and organist and composed numerous pieces,anthems and hymns,including the prize-winning ‘Ribblesdale’ hymn. His other hobbiesincluded reading, trains and photography. Graham was a devoted, caring and lovinghusband, father, son, and son-in-law. He also dedicated himself to charitable work,including the Samaritans, York Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders,the Richmond Fellowship, and work for PHAB young people. He died very suddenly andunexpectedly at his home in Malton on 31 May 2012, in the seventy-second year of hisage and the twenty-third year of his ministry.Eric John Douglas Smith: Born in Exeter on 29 December 1917. He grew up inWandsworth, south London. In his twenties he trained and was accredited as a localpreacher but his career at that time followed a scientific and engineering path, workingin the laboratories at Chelsea Polytechnic, the Motor Research Association and theCentral Electricity laboratories. During this time he gained a post-graduate diploma fromBattersea College of Technology. He married his first wife Marjorie in 1945 and hisdaughter Priscilla was born three years later. Approaching his fifties, Eric was called tofull-time ministry in the Methodist Church and became a senior candidate, being ordainedin 1968 at Wesley’s Chapel, London. He served in the following circuits: Wombwell andHoyland, Bradford (Manningham), Banbury and Basildon. He is warmly remembered inthese circuits for his caring ministry. While he was minister at Basildon, Marjorie died. Butshortly before the end of his ministry there (and his retirement) Eric married again – tothe Revd Gladys Seymour, a Baptist minister. They retired to Farnham in Surrey where theylived and ministered for many years in local Methodist, Baptist and Anglican churches.Eric was always a deep thinker and held strong views on a range of subjects, but giventhat he moved from a scientific to a theological career, he had a particular interest in thevarious dialogues that take place between science and religion. He also carried out someresearch comparing geophysical earthquake records with the New Testament records. Inretirement Eric continued his enthusiasm for science and engineering by making scalemodels of locomotives and by continuing his membership of the Institute of Materials,Minerals and Mining. He also enjoyed relaxing to the organ music of JS Bach and hisother hobbies of oil painting and gardening. He spent the last seven months of his lifebeing well cared for at the MHA care home at Woodbank in Woking. Eric died on 14December 2012, in the ninety-fifth year of his life and the forty-sixth year of his ministry.Laurance Raymond Stedeford: Born in Stoke Mandeville on 18 February 1923 to Ronaldand Joy, the second of three children and known to his family as ‘Bill’. Laurance was agifted linguist, obtaining a degree in German from London University. During the war hejoined the RAF and was posted to Bletchley Park as a translator, transferring to Germanyas war ended as an interpreter with the British Bombing Survey Unit. Once demobilised, hemarried Margaret in 1949 and became a teacher of French and German at Truro School.In 1953 Laurance joined the British and Foreign Bible Society and moved with his growingfamily to Algeria. For eight years he travelled extensively across North Africa, selling BiblesMethodist Conference Agenda 2013 27

Obituaries - Presbyters who have died 2012/2013and speaking of Christ. The Algerian war of independence from French rule broke out in1954 and lasted eight years, but Laurance was undeterred, despite the dangers of travel.He was bravely supported by Margaret. During this time, Laurance had an experience ofthe Holy Spirit, which gave him a new passion for Christ and for sharing the gospel. In1961 the family returned to England and Laurance was accepted for ministerial trainingat Richmond College. He served in the following circuits: Wem & Prees Green, Ellesmere& Chirk, Rotherham and Helston. He was a much loved, inspirational preacher, whose joyand deep love for the message of Christ, combined with gifted Bible teaching, had a deepand lasting impact in the lives of his listeners. A gentle, godly man, many benefited fromhis wise counsel, kindness, encouragement and support. Reaching out to those outsidethe Church, he was a volunteer with the Samaritans and chaplain to Treeton village pitduring the 1984/1985 miners’ strike. In retirement in Reading, he worked through localChristian charities with ex-offenders, refugees and homeless people. He maintained akeen, lifelong interest in world mission and continued to preach until his mid-80s. Margaretwas his loving companion and support throughout. He is survived by Margaret, 5 children,13 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. He died on 15 July 2012, in the ninetieth yearof his age and the fifty-second year of his ministry.Thomas George Antony Sutcliffe: Born in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, on 6 September 1931.On the death of his mother, Tony, as a baby was adopted into a staunch Methodist family.He attended Thomas Alleyne Grammar School and then Kent College Boarding Schoolbefore going to work for Lloyds Bank where his qualities led to early promotion. The call toministry led him to Richmond College. He served in the following circuits: Doncaster (PrioryPlace), The Peak, Grimsby (George Street), Stoke-on-Trent (Burslem Mission) and Stokeon-Trent(Hanley, Trinity). He married Mary in 1957 and her support and care enabled himto fulfil his vocation, she shared his pastoral ministry. The manse was a place of warmthand welcome, where hospitality, friendship and support were always available. They weredevoted to their children Mark and Elizabeth. Tony was rightly proud of them and of hisgrandchildren, Antony, Ben and Hannah. Tony and the males in the family were avid StokeCity supporters. His ministry was characterised by the way he gently and generously sharedGod’s love through Christian care; Bible based preaching which was laced with humour andrelevant illustration making his message available to all. He was a capable administratorand a gifted musician, singer and poet, taking delight in playing the organ, piano andsinging, especially with the Ceramic City Choir, a joy he shared with his daughter. He had anenormous influence on the people of the Potteries. Tony and Mary were universally lovedand respected. Tony also served the district as candidates committee secretary where heguided and nurtured many ministers including four chairs of districts and one presidentof the Conference. He retired due to ill health and struggled with a cruel illness for manyyears yet he was always positive, his sense of humour never deserted him and he had awonderful ministry of presence. Tony died on 2 September 2012 in the eighty-first year ofhis age and the fifty-sixth year of his ministry.28 Methodist Conference Agenda 2013

Obituaries - Presbyters who have died 2012/2013William Gordon Keith Taylor: Born on 12 June 1933 at Blackheath in the West Midlands,an only child of a founding Methodist family. He was a passionate man, a passion bothfor learning and for his Lord. He was educated at Oldbury Grammar School, gained a BScat Nottingham, MCom, at Birmingham, an MA at Manchester through Cliff College, andhis Phd through Sheffield University. He graduated as a Fellow of the Royal Society ofChemistry. His love of learning and sharing knowledge was demonstrated by his teachingof long distance learning students, through Sheffield University, in India and Singaporetravelling regularly to tutor and share with them. He adored his family, his wife Jacquelinewhom he married in 1960, and his children and grandchildren. His passions extendedto include other matters, music, and marathon running, especially around ChatsworthPark, and his beloved garden, specialising in azaleas and roses. Bill was a remarkableencourager through his deep faith, and served his Lord in Baslow in the DerbyshirePeak District, where he was at one time the solitary steward. As local preacher he waserudite yet down to earth, witty and deeply wise. He heard the call to ministry throughthe Revd Martin Lee, an Anglican who nudged Bill towards ordained ministry. He servedas a minister in local appointment to the Peak Circuit from 1992, where his passionfor preaching and devotion to the local community was exemplified through his pastoralcare. His ministry was encouraging of the local ‘front row boys’ where his playlets wouldbe acted out in services, along with his inspirational expositions of the Bible storiesthrough ‘Reuben and Ruth’. Bill was passionate about his music and wrote a numberof hymns adapting tunes by Schubert, and even in the last weeks of his life continuedwriting, preparing for services and memo articles for his home chapel at Baslow. His faithwhich ran as deep as the ocean would be reflected in his last weeks when he rejoiced inGod’s grace as ”all will be well”. Bill passed from this life into the arms of his Lord on 15January 2013 in the eightieth year of his age and the twenty-first year of his ministry.Robert Teasdale: Born in Rawtenstall in the Rossendale Valley, on 1 August 1933 toHarold and Nellie. Leaving school he started as a trainee manager with the Co-op andundertook his national service. At the age of nineteen he went to Cliff College and itwas there that his passion for evangelism was kindled. Hearing a call to presbyteralministry he trained at Hartley Victoria College Manchester where he made somelifelong friends. He served in the following circuits. Birmingham Mission, Worsley, Derby(Derwent) Blackburn, Grimsby (West), Wimbledon and Gravesend and Dartford. In all hisappointments his pastoral care was greatly appreciated by those he served. In additionhe went on exchange for one year to Mt Calvary United Methodist Church Harrisburg,USA in the Susquehanna Conference. It was whilst in Harrisburg that Robert came intocontact with the Lay Witness Movement. He invited them to witness at Lammack andwrote the introduction to their first book on the values of Lay Ministry. His other joywas in working with young people and he had a passion for helping them to recogniseGod’s love for them. In August 1960 just before entering circuit ministry he marriedJoyce and was blessed with two children Tim and Julia. Later he became grandfather toChristopher, Kathryn, Ben and Izzy taking a real interest in and being a key part of theirMethodist Conference Agenda 2013 29

Obituaries - Presbyters who have died 2012/2013lives. Throughout his life God always came first, family second and his own intereststhird. When he had time he enjoyed stamp collecting and researching Methodist history inthe circuits he served in. He died on 7 April 2013, in the eightieth year of his age and thefifty-fourth year of his ministry.Rupert Gerald Marjoribanks Tedcastle: Born on 11 June 1933, at West Plean farm,Stirlingshire, the eldest son and second child of seven born to Robert and Ann Tedcastle.His formative years were spent in Birmingham, where involvement in youth work inEdgbaston introduced him to Methodism. Following national service in the RAF andperiod of employment with the Midlands Electricity Board, Gerald entered DidsburyCollege, Bristol in 1957, developing his ministry under the influence of Frederic Greeves,Rupert Davies and Kenneth Grayston, among others. Gerald was ordained at the PrestonConference of 1963. He served in the following circuits: Birkenhead, London (Highgate),London Wesley’s Chapel (City Road), London (Leysian Mission), London (Finsbury Parkand Southgate), Liverpool (South East), Liverpool (South), and Warrington. Whilst inHighgate he served as district probationer’s secretary and gained an abiding interest inministerial and local preacher training. For many years Gerald served as chaplain to theCity University, to Barts and to Moorfields Eye Hospital. His commitment was recognisedwhen he was made both a Freeman of the City of London and a member of the Guild ofFreemen. During Gerald’s time in Liverpool he was deputy to the district chairman, theRevd Dr John A Newton. Retiring to Birkenhead Circuit, he continued his preaching andpastoral ministry until Easter 2012, in an area where he had many personal friends,including some from his probationer days. Many of these friends were greatly supportive,especially during illness and infirmity in the last months of his life. For many years amember of Rotary and serving as president at two clubs, he was also a member of theAthenaeum in London and Liverpool. Throughout his ministry Gerald gave high priority toworship and preaching. He had an undying devotion to the Wesleyan tradition and to theCatholic faith. Without fail he said his daily office of prayer from the Breviary. A committedecumenist, upholding dignity in worship, loving liturgy and being a member of theMethodist Sacramental Fellowship, he also gladly embraced new styles of communicationand music. Gerald died as he lived, grateful for faithfulness and friendship but goinghome to the fullness of the Catholic faith which is the Communion of Saints. He died on9 September 2012, in the eightieth year of his age and the fifty-third year of his ministry.Winifred Betty Tompkins: Born in Sheffield on 18 February 1929, the younger of twochildren. After primary education, she gained a scholarship to High Storrs GrammarSchool, Sheffield. Finishing schooling in the war years, she was directed to accountsoffice work where she learnt skills that would be invaluable in her ministry. For a while,she worked in the Ilkley offices of the Wesley Deaconess Order and despite the earlystirrings of a call to the Order, she left to work in the office of a local mill. Betty finallyresponded to the call in 1957 and following training, was ordained in 1960.She served in the caravans “Liberator” and “Enterprise” in the Southampton District and30 Methodist Conference Agenda 2013

Obituaries - Presbyters who have died 2012/2013then in the following circuits: Chesterfield (Saltergate), Spilsby, Tipton, and Durham Coastand Peterlee. She was given a dispensation to preside at Holy Communion in all butthe last of these circuits and this omission helped Betty to identify a call to presbyterialministry, newly opened to women. She candidated in 1977 and studied whilst continuingactive work and was ordained in 1977. She continued to serve in the Durham Coastand Peterlee Circuit, and then in the following circuits: Motherwell and Wisham andHuddersfield (Pennine). After her retirement in 1989, Betty returned to Sheffield and wasan active supernumerary in the Sheffield Brunswick Circuit for two spells between 1990and 2007. In retirement she was fully involved in the life of Mount View church, from GirlsBrigade to care home worship; choirs to Youth Club, starting new work in many areas.She devoted time to voluntary work, her interests in music and gardening and her family.She was also much appreciated as district and circuit network president and secretary.Betty was a hardworking and conscientious minister whose sincere ‘down to earth’preaching, warmth and pastoral work endeared her to many. Characteristically, she faceddeclining health bravely and with a positive attitude, viewing this as another stage in herministry. Betty was always concerned for others and even towards the end of her life, wasmost appreciative of the support, love, messages and visits from family and friends. Bettydied peacefully on 27 July 2012, in the eighty-fourth year of her age and the nineteenthyear of her diaconal ministry and the thirty-sixth year of her presbyteral ministry.Michael Jonathan Townsend: Born in Barnstaple, Devon on 10 August 1947. Apassionate preacher and dedicated minister. Michael was introduced to the MethodistChurch when he was invited to attend a service by a school friend. When only 15 yearsold, Michael made a public commitment, and at 18 he was a fully accredited localpreacher. While studying History and English at Leicester University, he would lead threeservices every Sunday during his vacations. Michael trained at Hartley Victoria College,Manchester where he began to emulate both FF Bruce’s deep commitment to biblicalstudy and a generosity of spirit. Michael’s own scholarship became wide-ranging. Heserved in the following circuits: Selby, Halifax, Huddersfield (Pennine), he then becameChair of the Leeds District, his active ministry ended in the Grimsby & CleethorpesCircuit. Ministering to ministers and often to circuit stewards he found very rewarding,as was the significant progress made with the Diocese of Ripon and the Leeds Districtin implementing a covenant. Michael served as chair of the West Yorkshire EcumenicalCouncil and as a Methodist member of the national Committee which produced “AnAnglican-Methodist Covenant”. For several years he co-led the ordinands retreats. Hegave 15 years to the Faith & Order Committee with a term as its chair. His greatest joywas being one of those charged with the preparation of the Methodist Worship Book.His commitment to Methodist Publishing included his years on the Methodist PublishingHouse Board and his chairing of the Editorial Committee of the Epworth Press. He wasa respected member of the Conference on numerous occasions, speaking sparingly butalways to considerable effect. He had over 3000 CDs and could speak knowledgablyabout all aspects of them. He was an excellent cook and host. Though he had no car heMethodist Conference Agenda 2013 31

Obituaries - Presbyters who have died 2012/2013had an encyclopaedic knowledge of bus and train timetables! It was fitting that his funeralshould take place in Easter week when a large congregation rejoiced in resurrection hopeand celebrated the life of a distinguished and much loved catholic Methodist, a true anddevoted minister of the Word and Sacraments. He died on 15 March 2013 in the sixtysixthyear of his age and forty-fourth year of ministry.Malcolm Frederick Trew: Born in Tottenham on 24 November 1934. Malcolm spent anactive childhood in London during wartime, spending a short period as an evacuee inConisborough, Yorkshire. Returning from a cycling holiday to Scotland in 1952 Malcolmsustained an injury which was to leave him with ill health for the rest of his life. Anoperation removed all but eighteen inches of his small intestine. Twenty one yearslater this was recorded in a medical journal as a world record for survival after such anoperation. Being exempt from national service, Malcolm went back to his old schoolas a laboratory technician for a few months before joining the Methodist Mission inWhitechapel as a lay pastoral assistant. Two years later he entered Hartley VictoriaCollege Manchester for his theological training. He served in the following circuits;Barnsley (West), Sheffield Mission, Retford, Glasgow (Cathcart Road and Pollokshaws),Glasgow (South), Paisley Mission, Shildon and Edinburgh and Forth. Whilst stationed inPaisley, Malcolm served as a ‘sector minister’. He completed a two year post graduatecourse in Social Work at Glasgow University and worked for the next nine years in adeprived area of Glasgow becoming a senior social worker. Malcolm had a very ‘handson’ approach to ministry and loved to be in the thick of things. He had a very wide rangeof interests including current affairs, DIY, gardening, photography, caravanning, computers,music and church architecture. He was at one time a member of both the RoyalScottish National Orchestra Chorus and the Edinburgh Festival Chorus. In retirement hebecame church property secretary and edited the circuit newsletter before creating andmaintained the circuit website. He loved to preach and particularly enjoyed preparingAll Age Worship services, though, as he admitted, in his enthusiasm for visual aids hesometimes went OTT! Malcolm was very much a people person and in retirement missedthe opportunity to visit people in their homes. He died on 11 April 2013, in the seventyninthyear of his age and fifty-fifth year of his ministry.Irvin James Vincent: Born in Mitcham, Surrey, on 22 July 1932. He attended the localgrammar school, followed by national service. He felt a call to the Methodist ministry,and in the interim worked in the Treasurers' department of local government. He wentto Didsbury Theological College for four years. After graduation he married Stella, whowas also from Mitcham. He served in the Dursley and Stonehouse Circuit, as a forceschaplain with the Royal Navy, and in the Taunton Circuit. In every appointment, hisministry was valued and respected, above all for the quality of his pastoral care. Hebelieved in visiting people and getting to know them in some depth. He had immenseenergy and worked long hours from early morning to late evening. Fortunately Stella wasvery supportive and theirs was a shared ministry. The majority of his active ministry was32 Methodist Conference Agenda 2013

Obituaries - Presbyters who have died 2012/2013seventies! Still strong in spirit, John became increasingly frail and died in MaltonHospital on 5 October 2012, in the eighty-fifth year of his age and the sixty-secondyear of his ministry.Peter Geoffrey Want: Born in Folkestone ​on 30 March 1930. Peter felt that his life was agrowing series of challenges, all of which he felt ill-prepared for. However, it was his natureto tackle things head-on – and his thanksgiving service was testament to his success.He always remained close to his Kentish roots. From a small rural childhood with meagreeducation and an apprenticeship which made him a skilled craftsman with wood, hedeveloped into a local preacher, marriage guidance counsellor, teacher and minister inlocal appointment. Always indebted to the encouragement of others, he made a Christiancommitment in his teens, and attended International Bible Society house parties, wherehe met Mary. For national service, Peter reconciled duty with his conscientious objectorviewpoint by joining the Royal Army Medical Corps as a psychiatric nurse. Peter and Marymarried in 1953 and moved to Ashford, joining Bank Street Church. A family arrived:Evelyn (who died of meningitis), Stella and Richard. When the church was developed asa Methodist/URC shared church in the 1970s, Peter’s practical skills contributed to thesanctuary design and construction. His qualifications became acceptable for teaching – adaunting move, but he was a patient and natural teacher, becoming a senior master andgraduating with the Open University. Mary and Peter moved to Romney Marsh to pursue’self-sufficiency‘ and contributed to developing Hamstreet’s shared Methodist/Anglicanchurch. Peter was encouraged to apply for minister in local appointment, being ordainedin Cardiff in 1990. He served in the South Kent Circuit. Peter instigated a helpline fordistressed rural workers, was local preachers’ tutor and led two trips to the Holy land. Allthe skills gathered during his life came to fruition in his ministry and he remained an activesupernumerary, whilst increasingly caring for Mary. His brain tumour was a shock but bornewith a sense of intrigue and discovery; his thirst for new reading and being part of life wasnot lost until the end. Peter died on 1 November 2011, in the eighty-third year of his ageand the twenty-third year of his ministry.Clifford William Warren: Born in Leagrave on 25 April 1935, the third child of Edith andPercy, second generation Methodists. A bright student, Cliff took his 11+ a year early,progressed to grammar school and after sixth form went to Barclays Bank before beingcalled up for national service as a Royal Army Education Corps instructor. It amused himthat as an avowed pacifist, he won a Silver Cup for being the best shot in the MiddleEast Land Forces! Returning home in 1955, Cliff found work life mundane. However,it was here that he met Valerie, whom he later married in 1959 at Luton IndustrialMission. Cliff joined the Metropolitan Correspondence College in St Albans, becomingchief administrative director while at the same time becoming a member of the Instituteof Bankers. Outside of work, Cliff and Valerie were involved in the local Methodistchurch as youth leaders. Conversations with the Revd Bill Gowland led Cliff to offer forthe Methodist Ministry. Cliff moved, with Valerie and six-month-old John, to study at34 Methodist Conference Agenda 2013

Obituaries - Presbyters who have died 2012/2013Richmond College. Kathryn was born just a year later. He served in the Loughboroughand Southampton Circuits. On 1 April 1978, Cliff became area secretary for 41 ChristianAid groups in South Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Putting together his faith, bankingskills and passion for world development, he supported Christian Aid’s economic justicecampaigning on international debt, fair trade and trade justice. He travelled the worldreporting on life from the underside. His campaigning led to letters in the Guardian andappearances on BBC News. Cliff and Valerie retired to the New Forest in 2000, makingnew friends and enjoying visits to family in Ecuador and Guernsey. Valerie, as loving wifeand supportive companion, was a source of joy, as were his children and grandchildren. InFebruary 2011, the diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease was a profound shock. Cliff borethe disease with great dignity and bravery. He died peacefully at home with Valerie andKathryn by his side on 29 June 2012, in the seventy-eighth year of his age and the fortyfifthyear of his ministry.John Malcolm Waterhouse: Born in Halifax on 19 March 1932, into a staunch Methodistfamily. John was educated at Manchester Grammar School and Plymouth College.Always bookish, John had planned to become a librarian and studied English and Historyat Cambridge University. However, after graduation (and despite at first being turneddown by the Conference on his childhood medical record), he began ministerial studiesat Richmond College. He was a probationer minister in Norfolk where he met Ann.They married in 1958 and thereafter enjoyed what was effectively a team ministry. Heserved in the following circuits: Attleborough, Leeds (Richmond Hill), Sheffield (North-East), Carlisle, Elland and Greetland, Coventry, Leeds (Richmond Hill), Dereham andSwaffham. John was of remarkably steady character and calm, good humour and hada great sense of fairness. He could laugh easily and had a ready smile. He respectedcolleagues and congregations and believed that as the minister, he was there to servethe local church. He was a faithful pastor and hospital chaplain, committed to ecumenicalconnections and free of prejudice and personal favour. He enjoyed great friendships andhospitality within Methodism, including hosting at Methodist Guest Houses and pastoralexchanges to the USA. He was known for his love of books and learning and for his timemanagement skills, which were well received when he chaired meetings. He had a finebass baritone voice and enjoyed musical activities in his churches. John served theChurch well through the Connexional Candidates Committee and was an enthusiasticrepresentative to the Conference on many occasions. He had a strong commitment toworking with local preachers and probationer ministers. John worked beyond the normalretirement age and had only one full year of retirement before he had a stroke aged 71.His family cared for him at home with long-distance support from friends, flung far aroundthe Connexion, and locally by Crossroads. John kept in good spirits; he had kept hismental faculties but had lost all physical independence. During the following nine years,he sorely missed the all-embracing Methodism which had been his meat and drink. Johnis survived by Ann and daughter Penelope. John died peacefully at home on 3 October2012, in the eighty-first year of his age and in the fifty-ninth year of his ministry.Methodist Conference Agenda 2013 35

Obituaries - Presbyters who have died 2012/2013Ian Russell Wilson: Born in Dundee on 5 January 1937. After pre-collegiate service inthe Kirby Stephen, Appleby and Tebay Circuit he entered Wesley College, Headingley. Heserved in the following circuits: Rochdale, Methodist Church of the Caribbean and theAmericas (St Lucia, Barbados), Hull (West), Scarborough, Darlington, Guyana and Bury StEdmunds. He died on 28 December 2012, in the seventy-sixth year of his age and thefifty-first year of his ministry. At his own request there is no further obituary.Philip John Wren: Born in Doncaster on 17 January 1957. After becoming a local preacherhe felt the call to presbyteral ministry. He trained at Hartley Victoria College in Manchester,taking his first degree in Manchester and his Master’s in Hull. He served in the followingcircuits: Doncaster, Sutton (Surrey), Gainsborough, London (Finchley and Hendon) andLiverpool South. When his first marriage was dissolved he kept a close relationship withhis two children. During the time he served in the Finchley and Hendon Circuit he workedclosely with his colleague the Revd Jenny Rayner, this led to their marriage in 2001. Philipwas a type 1 diabetic and this severely affected him. He had to become a supernumeraryearly in 2007. After some improvement in his health he did part-time work in the WidnesCircuit and subsequently the Runcorn Circuit. His ministry was noted for his preaching inwhich he had the apt use of the story and frequently expressed his beliefs with conviction.However, he is remembered especially for his pastoral work and many at his funeraltestified to that. Philip had a far from narrow view of his calling and expressed this in hispolitical involvement in the Liberal Democratic Party and in local community activities. Hewas also a season ticket holder at Old Trafford and he made many friends in his support ofManchester United. Philip had a love of music and enjoyed many concerts at the LiverpoolPhilharmonic Hall. As in other aspects of his life, he knew exactly that he liked – and whathe didn’t! He was a great reader – Terry Pratchet, science fiction and theology – and a greattalker. With Philip one always knew exactly what he believed and how he felt. He is survivedby his wife Jenny, his mother Jenny and his children Jonathan and Tim. Whilst on pilgrimageon the Camino de Santiago de Compastela he died suddenly on 2 May 2013, in the fiftyseventhyear of his age and thirty-second year of his ministry.36 Methodist Conference Agenda 2013

Obituaries - Presbyters who have died 2012/20132. In IrelandJohn Turner, D.D., who was born in Belfast on 3rd January 1924. He was the youngest offour children of Robert and Elizabeth Turner of Dunowen Gardens. He attended Oldparkand Antrim Road Public Elementary Schools, Mercantile Business Training College andRenshaws Tutorial College. Following three years in business he was accepted as acandidate for the ministry in 1946 and appointed as a probationer to Dungarvan andPortstewart before entering Edgehill College in 1949. He was ordained in 1952 whilestationed in Woodvale and thereafter was appointed to Cloughjordan, Rathgar, CarlisleMemorial, Hamilton Road, Larne and Cullybackey. He served as a Synod Secretary,Chair of two Districts, Ministerial Secretary for Christian Stewardship, a member of theMinistry of Healing committee and a Trustee of the Methodist Church in Ireland. He waselected President of the Church in 1978 at which time Asbury College conferred on himan honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity. He facilitated an arrangement that allowedstudents and elders of the United Methodist Church to undertake short-term supply onIrish circuits and was instrumental in introducing the Lay Witness Movement to Ireland.His involvement in the ministry of divine healing brought enrichment to many people.His book, The Healing Church, was published in his Presidential year. He was a faithfulcircuit minister, a sensitive and caring pastor and a wise administrator. As a preacher,he was a careful craftsman, preparing thoroughly and using his considerable fund of aptillustrations to good effect. In his later years he developed a recording and duplicatingtape service which made the sight of John, surrounded by recording equipment andheadphones, a familiar scene at Conference and other gatherings. John was ablysupported throughout his life and ministry by Edyth whom he married in 1956. Theyhave one daughter, Kathryn. John retired in 1994 and went to live in Ahoghill. He diedpeacefully in Prospect Private Nursing Home, Ballymena on 13th November 2012 in theeighty-ninth year of his age and the sixty-fifth of his ministry. His body was cremated atRoselawn Crematorium, Belfast.Thomas Woods, B.A., who was born in Portadown on 13th November 1925. His parentswere Richard and Rebecca Woods. The family attended Edenderry Methodist Churchwhere, at a Youth for Christ rally, he surrendered his life to Christ. He became associatedwith Thomas Street Methodist Church, Portadown through membership of the Boys’Brigade. Although showing academic promise, on the premature death of his fatherhe left school to work for the Great Northern Railway. Sensing a call to the ordainedministry, while on the List of Reserve he served on the Portadown Circuit and then asa probationer at Bessbrook. He entered Edgehill College in 1951 and in 1953 wasstationed in Dungannon. He then served at Woodvale and Portarlington before being sentfor some months to serve as acting Superintendent of the Londonderry City Mission. In1960 he was appointed to Belfast Central Mission, and then to Armagh, Donegall Road,Omagh, Whiteabbey, where he served as chaplain to the University of Ulster, and finallyMethodist Conference Agenda 2013 37

Obituaries - Presbyters who have died 2012/2013to Regent Street, Newtownards. He met his future wife, Sheila McKibben, at the AnnualMissionary Summer School at Mourne Grange in Kilkeel in 1959 and they married thefollowing year. She was companion, friend and encourager through his remaining stationsand in retirement in Newtownards. Tom was a much loved pastor and preacher. Hissermons and Bible studies were both scholarly and passionate. Even as his intellectualcapacity declined through dementia, the inner beauty of his Saviour’s love shone throughto all who had contact with him. God’s grace was evident through his warm smile, firmhandshake, love for God’s word, the hymns of the church and the sacrament of HolyCommunion. He died in the Ulster Hospital on 2nd March 2013 in the eighty-seventhyear of his age and the sixtieth year of his ministry. His body was cremated at RoselawnCrematorium, Belfast.38 Methodist Conference Agenda 2013

The following obituaries were presentedto the Diaconal Convocation in May 2013.‘Tis Jesus, the first and the last,Whose Spirit shall guide us safe home;We’ll praise him for all that is past,And trust him for all that’s to come.Joseph Hart

Obituaries - Deacons who have died 2012/2013Marjorie Elizabeth BateBorn: 3 March 1923Died: 4 November 2012Born into a family of three in Gillingham, Kent in 1923, Marjorie grew up with her twobrothers, Bob and Frank. Marjorie was a nursery nurse before becoming a tracer in theChatham Dockyard electrical shop during the war.The family were Methodists and from birth Marjorie attended Chatham Central Hall.Marjorie felt called to become a deaconess and she was accepted as a candidateby the July 1948 Committee. She entered Ilkley Deaconess College in September1948. Marjorie described this time as some of the happiest days of her life. Her firstappointment in 1950 was to South Wales; the Rhondda Valley saw much deprivation atthis time. Although her work was based at Tonypandy Central Hall, she preached up anddown the valley, riding her bicycle to appointments.Marjorie served in Rhondda (Tonypandy Central Hall), London South Mission(Locksfields), London Poplar & Bow (Poplar), Deal (Westmarsh, Eastry, Tilmans),Manningtree and Harwich, Loftus & Staithes, Leeds (Morley), Cleethorpes (AlbemarleHouse), Manchester and Salford Mission, Newark. Although she loved much of her circuitministry, Marjorie particularly enjoyed her time at Albemarle House caring for retiredsisters. Sadly she had to move on when it closed.In retirement Marjorie looked for a home in the country and moved to GlanvillesWootton near Sherborne. Here she lived in a small cottage and made friends with manypeople in the village. Having begun horse riding at 41 years old, she carried on into herearly 70s helping to exercise the Edelston’s horses in the parish and spent many happyhours walking the country paths with her dog, Lucky. Continuing to preach the gospel ofher Saviour, Jesus Christ, Marjorie rode her bicycle to many chapels – she preferred thelittle places and didn’t mind how few there were in the congregation. Marjorie found itdifficult to come to terms with the closure of the village chapel and continued to organisea Women’s Fellowship group until her health began to fail. Having moved her membershipto Longburton, friends from the church would pick her up every Sunday for worship.Marjorie would not be seen at worship without her hat. She continued to be the worshipcoordinator, loved the MHB and would read from the Authorised Version of the Bible. Herfriends at Glanvilles Wootton and Longburton enabled Marjorie to be able to stay in hercottage for as long as she did. Her niece, Marian Robertson, offered exceptional help andsupport to enable her aunt to remain independent as long as possible.Marjorie encouraged others, particularly those in training as local preachers, tospeak with conviction about their faith, just as she had in so many different places.Above all Marjorie insisted she was a sister and a deaconess, she did not like changein almost any form. With declining health her last few months were spent in The Hayes,Sherborne but she was still able to go to her chapel until a few weeks before her death inDorchester Hospital where she spent her last two days.40 Methodist Conference Agenda 2013

Obituaries - Deacons who have died 2012/2013Those who were friends of Marjorie miss her heartfelt comments, her passion for allthings Methodist and her enduring faith in Jesus Christ.Marjorie died on 4 November 2012 in the ninetieth year of her age and the sixty-secondyear of her ministry.Agnes NotmanBorn: 21 Feb 1924Died: 22 June 2012Agnes came to Ilkley Wesley Deaconess College one term later than most of her yearhaving been a local preacher for ten years. She was one of the last ‘Girls League’deaconesses; Agnes was a member of the ‘Girls league’ in Rotherham and was muchencouraged and helped by them. She was also very much influenced by the deaconesseswho had served in her church at Rotherham. Agnes’ call to the Order came as shelistened to John 21; the words of Jesus to Peter “Do you love me” had great significancefor Agnes.Agnes went on to serve in the following circuits: the Manchester and Salford Mission;York Wesley; Birkenhead; Sheffield; Leeds and Hull. Her final appointment was at theCentral Hall in Hull and a member who spoke at her funeral remembered her kindness.The fellowship that she led in her flat also made a deep impression. The ministry in herown home continued after her retirement to the Hull East Circuit. Agnes led a housegroup;presided at the Women’s Fellowship and was a diligent and caring class leader.She also served as the first president of Network in the York and Hull District.Members of her family remembered her love for crosswords and scrabble. Yet probablythe highlight of her ministry was letter writing – family, her Sunday school teacher andmembers of the Order were all linked together by her letters.During the latter years, when she experienced physical weakness Agnes’ pastoralconcern was shown in the residential home; there was a Methodist corner there. Sopeople say thank-you for the life and ministry of Agnes Notman.Emily Elizabeth Florence SherwoodBorn: 6 July 1926Died: 1 March 2013Deacons Gwen Agar and Betty VaughanSister Emily was born in the East End of London within the sound of bow bells and was a‘real cockney’. She had a very loving family and was close to her elder brother Harry.The family moved to Reading in the 1930s. As a child Emily was a lively extrovert anddid exceptionally well at school becoming head girl. She was good at sports and playedMethodist Conference Agenda 2013 41

Obituaries - Deacons who have died 2012/2013netball for the county. As a child outings were to the sea at Southend; this gave her alifelong love of the seaside and was a contributing factor in her moving to Lancing onretirement.On leaving school she worked in the personnel department for Sutton Seeds andhelped with teas for the soldiers at the weekends. It was during this time that shereceived and responded to a call to the Wesley Deaconess Order.She candidated successfully and went to Ilkley in 1949 for her two years training.On completion of training her first appointment was in Middlesbrough followed by anappointment in Rotherham. She was ordained in 1954. Emily went on to serve in thefollowing appointments: London Mission (Wandsworth Road); WRAC Chaplain’s Assistant;Women’s Fellowship (Moral Welfare); Education Welfare Officer for the Inner LondonEducation Authority; Southall Mission, and Broomwood and Clapham, London Mission-Friendship House, Stockwell.She retired in 1986 but had a final informal part-time appointment at Tootingsupporting the Revd David Holland in the work there.As a deacon she excelled in pastoral work. If someone was in particular need of help,she responded to it. Emily emanated peace, hope, gentleness, healing and strength tothose that she met with. She did not run away from difficult situations and was not afraidto challenge people, if necessary. Emily never gave up.Her gifts of learning, (she was an avid reader all her life), pastoral sensitivity, andencouraging others on their Christian journey, were all part of her ministry. Emily had avariety of appointments and enjoyed all of them and the challenges that they brought.She was able to relate to people of all ages and joined in activities with relish with theyoung folk. She did not suffer fools gladly and you knew that you had been told off if shedisagreed with you.Emily was proud to be a deaconess and the vows she made at her Ordination werekept to the full through-out her ministry.For Emily, her family and large number of friends meant a great deal to her. She wasperson of high integrity and a loyal and loving friend. She had grace and charm. Herappreciation of beauty was manifested in her love of art, the pictures and arrangement ofher room, and the way in which she dressed, all of which showed an underlying unity ofspirit and joy.The basis of her life was her strong personal faith and her daily devotions. Her life wasunder girded with prayer and times of quiet before God, a discipline instilled at collegeand continued until her last days. It was at college that she was known as Emily ‘themystic’, because of her deep spirituality. Emily was naturally kind, her faith was lived outin both prayer and action. At her funeral the story of Mary and Martha was the chosenreading, because the gifts of sitting at Jesus’ feet in prayer informed and enabled all thedoing that Emily accomplished in her life.During the last few years of her life Emily became increasingly frail both mentally andphysically and was unable to leave her flat. She accepted her limitations with patienceand serenity. Her final illness followed a fall at home that led to admission to hospital and42 Methodist Conference Agenda 2013

Obituaries - Deacons who have died 2012/2013then to the nursing home in Reading; a period of struggle and pain.Emily will be greatly missed on this Earth where she made such a wonderfulcontribution to the lives of many people. Yet we rejoice with thanksgiving that freed fromthe tribulations of this world, her life has been completed and so splendidly fulfilled andshe is with the Lord she loved and served all her life.The Revd David Holland & Deacon Phyllis KingDorothy TaylorBorn: 2 December 1925Died: 27 October 2012Dorothy Taylor, who died on 27 Oct 2012 aged 86, was a Methodist deaconess andmother. Her ministry of some 40 years was witnessed in many ways and in differentphases of her life. Only when Dorothy found that even when sitting down to preach shebecame breathless and dizzy did she withdraw from activity in her local circuit.Dorothy was born in 1925, in Leicester to Martha and William Bull. She was the fourthchild of six and grew up in a staunch Methodist household. She latterly described herparents as the most loving and wonderful parents she could have had and recalled manyevents where her life was shaped by her early experiences.Dorothy was an adventurous young girl, curious and full of her own ideas. School wasmore an obligation than an interest and she left at 14. She went to work for the GPO asa telephonist where her sister was already working. In 1943 she volunteered to work inLondon at Mount Pleasant telephone exchange. Too young to join the Land Army as herolder sister had done, here was Dorothy’s chance to do her bit for the war.Early in her childhood Dorothy conceived of a set of principles and beliefs that enabledher to understand the world and she unwaveringly stuck to these throughout her life. Herearly desire and ambition was to be a missionary. She wanted to follow in the footstepsof her mother’s devoted work in the Methodist Church; to follow in a path that was closeto God became her framework.In 1947 she was accepted into the Order and began her own missionary work. Livingwith another deaconess she worked with the communities they found themselvesamongst, although they had their caravan ’Epworth‘ moved at regular intervals. Dorothywas ordained in 1952 and continued her work in the Liverpool Mission (Hutchinson Hall).In 1953 she met John Taylor, a Methodist minister and a year later they married. Theybegan their lives together in the service of the Methodist Church. They lived in Bristolstarting a new church in the large new housing estate in Hartcliffe. Their three childrenwere born in Bristol and during that time she was at the centre of circuit work, runninggroups, prayer meetings and many other church activities.In a few short years John joined both the Anglican Church and the Navy. Thus beganMethodist Conference Agenda 2013 43

Obituaries - Deacons who have died 2012/2013yet more moving and wandering. The first posting was Borneo where the family werequartered in Malaya whilst John was a Padre with the Marines in the jungle.The humid climate and the constraints of Naval base protocol did not suit Dorothy. Withtwo children still living at home she got involved with local school for the blind, recordingbooks onto old magnetic reel-to-reel tape.On getting back to the UK the family was initially homeless but then found a way to buya new house. John was stationed at various Naval bases in southern England and Dorothyfound a job in a secondary school in Portsmouth where she taught RE. Another move toSomerset meant another new house and more jobs for John and more voluntary roles forDorothy. At this time she joined the circuit local preachers’ meeting and was again activein the Methodist Church.In 1977 Dorothy divorced John and returned to the Deaconess order to work full timein Wolverhampton. She moved on to Newark 1983 until she retired in 1988 and moved toShrewton. This gave way to a move to St Ives in Cornwall in 2003 where she moved withher friend Katharine Rennie. When Katharine moved to Scotland Dorothy moved into a flatfor the elderly that overlooked a beautiful beach on the Atlantic shore. Here she endedher life cared for by her daughter, Mary, and receiving umpteen visitors.Dorothy had expressed clearly her wish to die whilst she still wanted to live and itseemed to me that this in indeed what happened. She was busy and active up to theday before she died, ordering some new spectacles. She still had plans and yet she hadmade careful and precise arrangements for her death.Dorothy leaves three children, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Her deathhas left a hole in her community in St Ives, the wider circle of Methodist connections andher family.We will miss her.Catherine PinhornRosalie Margaret JamesBorn: 14June 1917Died: 31 March 2013Rosalie was born in Kidwelly; an only child to Isaac and Winifred James, members atTrinity Methodist church. Rosalie followed her parents’ footsteps as a member andcommitted worker at Trinity – training to be a local preacher; serving as a chapel trusteeand teaching in Sunday school. Rosalie was in charge of the teenage girls’ class;members have fond memories of sitting in a semi-circle, huddled around the gas firein the minister’s room reading a verse or two of scripture from the passage for thatparticular Sunday, followed by a discussion. Some of her Sunday school class are stillmembers of Trinity church today. Another recollection is of Rosalie in the pulpit withher dark curly hair, wearing a turquoise costume and a pair of shiny earrings. She told44 Methodist Conference Agenda 2013

Obituaries - Deacons who have died 2012/2013someone later that she had found giving up earrings quite difficult when she became adeaconess!Rosalie worked in the post office where her aunt was postmistress, and later atGravell’s car dealership. Her commitment to look after her beloved parents and auntprevented her from responding to a call she had felt during most of her life to offer for theWesley Deaconess Order.Eventually, in August 1966 after the death of her aunt she felt able to make suchan offer. She spent time with her dear friends George and Molly Lovell, discerning theimplications of her call and the difficulties in those days of offering at the age of 49years. The then Warden, the Revd Jeffery Litherland, was convinced of her call and thatshe should candidate. And that she did; she was accepted and trained at Ilkley College.During training she was seriously ill with breast cancer and there were fearsfor her life and her ministry but she survived to continue to exercise an outstanding butnot trouble-free ministry. Rosalie was ordained in 1970 and worked first in NottinghamSouth, and then moved to Tower Hamlets in the East End of London.Through out her life and ministry Rosalie was a soul friend and a highly influentialconsistent spiritual support and presence to those she lived amongst. She was,undoubtedly one of the finest Christian ladies and a gifted woman, who radiated lightand love and acted out the depth of her spirituality. For her friends, Rosalie’s Christianfriendship and love is considered to be one of the great and precious gifts that they havereceived at the hand of God through the Methodist Church.After her retirement in 1976 she returned to Nottingham; later moving back to Wales,where she continued to preach, play the organ and to support others with her pastoralvisiting. At the age of eighty she was awarded a Community Service Award. She travelledwidely in Europe when on holiday, particularly valuing a tour following the journeys of StPaul.Her home at St Joseph’s Court was a place of hospitality and fellowship; whilst sippingtea and eating biscuits, matters of faith would be discussed and spiritual experiencesshared. Rosalie lived independently in her flat and celebrated her 90th birthday there, butafter a serious fall she became unable to manage on her own and eventually moved toHafen y Coed Nursing Home.Whilst we rejoice in Rosalie’s release to resurrection life, we are quite bereft at the lossof such a dear friend. Yet we are comforted that her death is not the end; for the hopeand reality of eternal life in Christ is hers at last.Rosalie was called home to be with her Lord on Easter Sunday, 31 March 2013, inthe 96th year of her life and the 45th year of her ministry. We thank God for her life andministry.Complied by her Friends; edited by Deacon Karen McBrideMethodist Conference Agenda 2013 45

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