All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts.

Gerald J. Brown (Gerry as he was known), entered on the stage of life in Amherst Cove, Bonavista Bay. It was the beginning of a life that, as an adult, was motivated by a commitment to, and a deep respect for, family, friends, work, Church, and community.

As a long time member of Kiwanis International, he contributed to the community locally, nationally, and internationally. On the local level, he committed to the Annual Kiwanis Music Festival, which gave students an opportunity to display their talents and achieve recognition in various genres of music. Nationally and internationally, Gerry served in several offices including the position of Lieutenant Governor for Eastern Canada and the Caribbean. In addition, he served on many boards, including the Health Care Board of St. John’s, which recognized his “hard work and many hours of service.”

Through the Parish of St. Michael and All Angels in St. John’s, of which Gerry was a faithful parishioner, he assisted with both charitable activities as well as in administrative duties. Within the parish, he is fondly remembered by many refugees who found freedom in this province, and a warm welcome at St. Michael’s in the 1990s—a great work which was mostly unrecognized.

In retirement, he was appointee Honorary Treasurer of the Anglican Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador. In recognition of his work, he was appointed by the bishop as the first lay canon of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist—an honour that was greatly appreciated.

For the greater part of his professional life, Gerry was a dedicated public servant at Revenue Canada. From them he received many awards which recognized the quality of his work and his strong leadership. One award that he especially valued was from “The Staff of St. John’s Taxation Centre with Special Recognition for his timeless efforts” on their behalf.

To his family and friends, he was a ready listener, and when requested, a solid source of advice.

Throughout his life, Gerry was energized by the desire to make the world around him a better place. None of us achieve perfection, but Gerry has left a mark for good on many lives—and they on him.

Wordsworth, in the poem “Ode; Intimations of Immortality,” writes:

Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting:
The Soul that rises with us, our life’s Star,
Hath had elsewhere its setting,
And cometh from afar:
Not in entire forgetfulness,
And not in utter nakedness,
But trailing clouds of glory do we come
From God, who is our home

In confidence of that faith in God, Gerry has gone home. A man of integrity; a gentleman’s gentleman. He will be fondly remembered by his wife, Lorraine (née Sheppard), his brother, Wilson, and his extended family, friends, and colleagues.

We thank the Creator for the gift of his life. May he now rest in peace.

The post A Tribute to Gerald J. Brown appeared first on Anglican Life.

Preceded by his wife Florence of over 50 years in 2016, Bishop Mate lived a robust, industrious life. Born on November 12, 1929, to John and Hilda (Toope) in Port Rexton TB, he pursued education in Port Rexton, Memorial University College, Queen’s College (earning an LTh and an Honorary DD in 2009), and Bishops University (achieving an Honours BA and MA in Philosophy and Theology in 1967).

Ordained as a Deacon in 1952 and as a Priest in 1953, he briefly served as a Curate at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in St. John’s before undertaking roles in several parishes, including Pushthrough (South Coast), St. Anthony (as the Rural Dean of St. Barbe), Cookshire, Quebec, and as Rural Dean at Catalina-Newmans Cove-Amherst Cove. He later served as Priest at Pouch Cove-Torbay before assuming the role of Diocesan Treasurer in 1976.

In 1980, he was elected as the second Bishop of Eastern Newfoundland & Labrador, navigating the Anglican Church in his dicoese through a period of significant transformations in the region’s religious landscape. As the Bishop, he facilitated groundbreaking steps such as the ordination of the first woman Deacon and Priest in Newfoundland, the recognition of same-sex relationships, and prioritized support for remote areas in Newfoundland and Labrador. Additionally, he established essential pension and healthcare plans for the clergy, leaving the diocese in a robust financial position upon his retirement at the close of 1992.

May he rest in peace, and rise in glory.

The post The Right Rev’d Martin Mate 1929-2023 appeared first on Anglican Life.

Three people in particular spoke of the life and ministry of Ron Clarke, beginning with his friend the Rev’d Everett Hobbs. Hobbs began by quoting Auld Lang Syne, remarking that as many of us were starting a new year, Ron was making his way out of this world and to “the place where he can now see Jesus face to face, and know as he is known.” He spoke of Shakespeare’s phrase that “all the world’s a stage, “and one man in his time plays many parts.” Two of Ron’s roles were as an educator and as a minster, and they very much went hand in hand with each other.

Rev’d Hobbs also referenced that New Year’s Day is, in the Church’s calendar, the “Naming of Jesus.” Our naming as members of the body of Christ happens at our baptism, but the sharing in the death and resurrection of Jesus—a whole lifetime of discipleship—was very much a way of life for Ron Clarke.

The Rev’d Nancy March preached a sermon that was centred around the theme that Ron had actually left her to speak to: “glory and thanks to God.” March spoke of the long life that Ron lived—a true blessing from God—and that he showed faith hope and charity throughout. She talked about how inspirational Ron was for all of those who knew him and read what he wrote, and talked in particular about the end of his book. In it, he wrote about how fortunate it is that we, as Christians, are in such close communion with God, and asked what we should do for those who don’t know God at all? Ron wrote that everyone must share the peace and joy of God with others. He also wrote that we must be drawn to The Saviour who asks us to cast every care on him; God gives us a peace that the world cannot give. Glory and thanks to God for the teaching that Ronald Clarke was able to give us all.

Finally, at the end of the funeral, Bishop Rose told us all how Ron’s column in Anglican Life was the most widely read, consistently, in any survey that was taken during his time as the Editor of Anglican Life. Ron presented faith in such a way that it was “both accessible and deep” in its devotion. He lived the Gospel, and he wrote about the Gospel, and he left us all his “epistles.”

As the current editor, I wish to extend condolences to Ron’s family and friends. We mourn his loss with you, and uphold you in our prayers. May he rest in peace, and rise in glory. Glory and thanks to God.

The post Ronald Clarke May 29, 1929 – January 1, 2022 appeared first on Anglican Life.

On July 30th, 2021, at 6 am his bright light in our lives left us to seek new adventures in what Nathan called “the great mystery.” Nathan was 71 years old. 

His love of family was larger than life and he was greatly loved by his wife Isabel, their three children, Jenny (Jacques), Andrew (Grace), and Nicholas (Sarah) and six adored grandchildren: Nicholas, Sophia, Orion, Alex, Isaac, and Chloe. He also enjoyed a close relationship with, and will be greatly missed, by his brothers and sisters Joyce (Don), Leslie Gordon (Millie), Norman (Marguerite), Isabell (Allister) and Cecilia (John). He will also be fondly remembered by a great many friends. Nathan was predeceased by his parents Leslie and Meta Cutler of Ramea. 

Nathan was a storyteller and a people person who loved to strike up a conversation with anyone. He saw the good in all of us and enjoyed both the serious and the humorous nature of life. An avid flower gardener, he created a beautiful sanctuary in his back garden in Fredericton that was a source of joy for family and friends. 

Nathan was born and raised in Ramea, Newfoundland. Nathan lived in various places around Newfoundland, the United Kingdom, and in Fredericton, New Brunswick. He received his B.Ed and M.Ed from Memorial University of Newfoundland followed by his Certificate of Theology from St. John’s College in Nottingham, England. Throughout his life, he was involved in the life of the Anglican Church. As a child he was closely connected with St. Boniface Anglican Church and along with his twin brother Norman was an altar boy and server. Later, as a layperson, he was involved with many aspects of the ministry of the church, most significantly with Christ Church Cathedral, Fredericton. 

Nathan began his career as a teacher and later served people as a guidance counsellor and school board administrator. Nathan was always a free spirit and risk taker, and for ten years, Nathan and Isabel developed a business to serve children with disabilities. In the last two years of Nathan’s life, he was privileged to be an ordained priest who served with his wife, Deacon Isabel in the Parish of Isle aux Morts, Margaree, Fox Roost, NL. Nathan has always had a deep Christian faith. His belief in what he termed “the great mystery” guided his life which he always regarded as ‘a wonderful adventure” 

Nathan had many interests in life; his family first but then besides his garden: music, photography, and history. However, Ramea continued to be one of the main passions throughout Nathan’s life. His fascination with genealogy and Ramea led him to become the administrator of the All Things Ramea Facebook site in the last few years. He loved to connect with friends and family of Ramea who lived around the world. He always considered Ramea , his final resting place. 

The family received visitors on August 3, 2021 at St. Boniface Church, Ramea from 7 to 9 pm. The Funeral Service and Interment of Ashes took place on Wednesday, August 4, 2021 at St. Boniface Church, Ramea. l 

A Memorial Service was held in memory of Nathan at Holy Spirit Church, Isle aux Morts on August 8, 2021 

A further Memorial Service will be held in memory of Nathan at Christ Church Cathedral, Fredericton, N.B on Saturday October 23rd 2021. 

Nathan’s family established a fund to create a public rose garden in Fredericton to honour him. They wish to thank all those who contributed to this fund and also to memorial funds in St. Boniface Church, Ramea; Holy Spirit Church, Isle aux Mort and St Augustine Church, Fox Roost Margaree. 

One of Nathan’s final sentences was “I feel the winds of God today.” 

We continue the hymn for Nathan: 

“Today my sail I lift…I’ll seek the seas at his behest, and brave another cruise.” Godspeed Nathan, off on another wonderful adventure.

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