The Connexion has learnt of the passing, on Christmas Eve, of Richard John Fraser, a stalwart member of the Mt Albert Parish for many decades before the onset of dementia and a move into fulltime care.

John was a very significant presence in the investment and property areas of the Connexion having been a member of the Investment Advisory Board and Methodist Trust Association virtually from their foundation. He was a leading Trustee of the Prince Albert College Trust at the time of the lease of the Queen Street land and was the first Chair of PACT 2086 Trust.

This period saw the growth of the MTA from formation to a Fund of almost of $74 million including the redevelopment of several Church owned properties into valuable assets providing a very satisfactory return to the Church.

In his book on the history of the Management of Methodist Church assets “Held in Trust” Reverend Donald Phillipps noted “In 1976 John Fraser had come on to the two Boards (Inv Advisory and MTA) within a year of their establishment and had been Chairman since 1984.

As a company director he had wide experience of the Auckland business world. He was a committed and practical churchman and gave generously of his wisdom, time and skills. He facilitated the discussion and the decision making of the Association and the Board with a real sense of purpose.”

John served on the Investment Advisory Board and MTA from 1976 -2002 and as Chair from 1984-2001. He was a member of the PACT Trust from 1979 until its dissolution in March 1989 and Chair of the Board of PACT 2086 from 1986 until his retirement in 2001.

His funeral will be held at the Mt Albert Methodist Church on 10th January at 2 pm.

Peter van Hout
Financial Services Manager
Board of Administration of the Methodist Church of New Zealand

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It is with sadness that I advise you that Rev Don Biggs died on Wednesday 27th December. Don was ordained in 1980 and his first stationed appointment was to the Blenheim Methodist Circuit. He also had appointments at St David's Union Parish, Carterton, Landsowne Presbyterian Church, Masterton, and Lynfield Community Church in Auckland. For many years he was also a member of the Board of Administration. After moving to Marton Don provied supply ministry at Trinity Methodist Church, Whanganui, which led to his being stationed there. Don served the church in many ways including as a Synod assessor of candidates, Interim Moderator; Secretary of Methodist AFFIRM, Chair of the Wairarapa UDC and Moderator of the Presbytery of the Wairarapa. He was also Chair of the Travel and Study Committee and Chair of the Board of Administration.

Don's knowledge, wisdom and unflappable manner, quiet sense of humour and ability to recognise and encourage others will be greatly missed. We offer our support and love to his family, particularly his two children Elizabeth and Andrew and their families.

A private family service was held for Don on Friday 29th December. There will be a Memorial Service for Don on the 5th February, at Whanganui Methodist Church. Details will be circulated closer to the time. Messages of condolence can be sent to Don's daughter Elizabeth at ej.biggs@gmail.com.

Peter van Hout
Financial Services Manager
Board of Administration of the Methodist Church of New Zealand

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It is with sadness that we notify the Connexion of the death of Frank Claridge, on 4 January 2024. Loved husband of Janette and father of Megan, Jennifer, Paul, and Andrew and families. Funeral to be held at 1.30pm on Wednesday 10 January at Davis Funeral Home, Pakuranga, Auckland. Communications to the family may be sent to: 'fclaridge@xtra.co.nz'

Frank held significant leadership positions within the Methodist Church at national level, beginning in the 1950’s in Wellington and continuing up until 2005 when he relinquished his tasks to become one of the first Charities Commissioners, after the passing of the Charities Act.

Some of the significant tasks he undertook were: in the 1970’s he worked with the Education Division to assist them build an office building in Wellington.

After a move to Whanganui In the 1970’s Frank became involved as Treasurer with the establishment of the Whanganui City Methodist Parish working in the parish team of parish stewards and ministers.

From 1984 Frank was Treasurer to Trinity College Council. During which time he secured $1,000,000 for student housing and worked with the College administrator to find, inspect and purchase houses. During this time he was made a Fellow of Trinity College.

Frank held many goverance roles within the Church including being a member of the Board of Administration, General Purposes Trust Board, Board of Ministry, Stipends Committee, Financial Review Committee and others.

Frank was instrumental in mentoring lay people to assist them undertake financial responsibility in their parishes giving his time generously and freely.

His gift and legacy to the Church is having helped the Church see that just because they are a charity and not for profit, this is not an excuse for unprofessional and sloppy financial practice. He provided robust critique, and was never afraid to ask the hard questions. He gave his time unstintingly to anyone who asked for his help.

Frank’s generosity of time and skill has been greatly influential in shaping the now very business-like and professional administrative and financial systems of the Methodist Church.

Ngā manaakitanga

Rev Tara Tautari | General Secretary

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It is with sadness we inform the Connexion of the death of Diane Paterson.

Diane died on Friday 5th of January at Kawakawa Hospital aged eighty-four. Diane Paterson began her involvement with church life at Trinity Methodist Church in Napier, where she attended Sunday School and Girls Brigade. In her early twenty’s she went to Auckland and became a Sunday school teacher at Epsom Methodist Church. She was involved with the bible class and Christian Youth Movement Methodist, where she learned about the Order of St Stephen and as a result in 1964, she volunteered for the Order of St Stephen, joining the staff team in 1965 as secretary to Rev. Ron O’Grady. Diane was a committed ecumenist and attended the World Council of Churches 7th Assembly in Canberra, Australia, in 1991, describing it as a “Mountain Top Experience”.

Diane was for some years a member of the Methodist General Purposes Trust Board, and the Northland Methodist Synod, and many subcommittees. She was also a trustee of the Marsden Cross Trust Board until ill health forced her to resign, but she never lost her interest in the Marsden Cross, and many past presidents and others have been hosted by Diane as they visited that site. With some difficulty, she was at the last annual ecumenical commemoration service.

Her involvement in her local church will be sadly missed. She was an avid reader and attended Bible study groups as health allowed. The onset of MS in the last few years curtailed her activities, somewhat, but she fought hard to overcome that obstacle to be involved in church affairs, managing to attend the Bi-Centenary conference in Kerikeri in 2022 and help at the reception desk, and also to attend the Northland Synod end of year function in December 2023.

The celebration of Diane’s life will be held at Cornerstone, Kerikeri (144 Kerikeri Road), on Thursday 11th of January 2024 at 12.00PM. The funeral service will be live from the Scott Funeral website (https://www.scottsfunerals.co.nz/).

Ngā manaakitanga

Rev Tara Tautari General Secretary

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We are sad to advise the Connexion of the death of Barbara Allan, wife of Rev Robert Allan. Barbara offered support and care to many people, particularly in the parishes that Robert was stationed to. We send our love and sympathy to Robert, their 10 children, 38 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Messages can be sent to Rev. Robert Allan, c/- PO Box 5191, Palmerston North 4441. A funeral service for Barbara was held at Milson Combined Church, Palmerston North, on Thursday 11th January 2024.

Ngā manaakitanga

Rev Tara Tautari | General Secretary

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It is with sorrow, we note the death of Audrey Jarvis on Monday 22nd January. Audrey was a member of Manawatu Rangitikei Methodist Parish, worshipping in Palmerston North. She held many roles in the Parish including representing the parish at Conference. She represented the Methodist church on the NZ Inter-Church Bio-Ethics Committee for many years. Audrey's two daughters, Sharon and Mukti were able to spend the last week of her life with her. Her funeral will be held on Friday 26th January in Palmerston North. Messages can be sent to jarvis.ab@xtra.co.nz

Ngā manaakitanga

Nicola Teague Grundy

Superintendent Lower North Island Synod

In this issue

Organ Recital by Hans Hielscher