Remember in your Prayers

It is with great sadness that we advise the Connexion that Mr Alan Bettany has died peacefully at the hospital at Tamahere Eventide at 1.30am last Thursday morning, 16th May 2024.

Alan is survived by his wife Lindsay and three children, Rachael, Andrew and Fiona, four grand-children and 1 greatgrandchild. Alan served as a very competent secretary of the Hamilton Methodist Church Trust for thirty years and was the Vice President of the Methodist Church of New Zealand, Te Hāhi Weteriana o Aotearoa for the 1991/92 year.

His funeral service will be held at the St John’s Methodist Church, Hamilton East 20 Wellington Street, Hamilton, on Thursday 23rd May at 11.00am. Messages can be sent to Andrew: abettany@gmail.com. Haere ra te Rangatira Alan, moe mai ra.

Ngā manaakitanga

Rev Tara Tautari | General Secretary

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

With sadness and grateful hearts, we announce the peaceful passing of the Reverend George Basil William Bell on Friday, June 7, 2024, at Olive Tree Rest Home in Palmerston North, at the age of 96.

Basil served in ministry for 32 years. He was stationed in Bluff for 7 years, Morrinsville (Waitoa) for 5 years, Whakatane for 10 years (where the Anglican/Methodist Parish was formed), the Co-operating Parish in South Hokianga for 4 years, and Dargaville for 6 years.

He became familiar with Te Reo, and his success in mastering Marae protocol was evidenced by his invitation to take his place among the tangata whenua of Waimamaku in welcoming the annual diocesan Hui—an honour Basil counted among the highest he received.

Basil was the loving husband of Nancy (dec) and Betty (dec), and the beloved father and father-in-law of Graeme and Maaki, Philip and Marilyn, and Kathryn and Lance Patterson. He was also the cherished Poppa of Matthew, Tim, Rebecca, Andrew, and Alexander, and the great Poppa of Ruby. Additionally, he was a loved stepfather to Betty’s family. Reverend Basil has been a valued member of the Wesley Broadway congregation (Manawatu-Rangitikei Parish) since his retirement over 30 years ago.

A celebration of Basil’s long and full life will be held at The Lychway Chapel, Roy Street, Palmerston North, on Thursday, June 13, at 10:30 am.

All messages should be sent to lancekathryn56@gmail.com.

Ngā manaakitanga

Rev Tara Tautari | General Secretary