In late April I received an unexpected email from a highly valued, long time contributor to Touchstone reviews page, learned Methodist minister Rev John Meredith.

John wrote, Dear Ady, As we know death and dying happen to other people, but have now caught up with me. I have been confirmed to have terminal lung cancer.  

I was deeply saddened by the news. John has been an inspiration and a support to me in my role as editor. I have valued his wisdom, kindness, his strong sense of faith and of course, his skill in reviewing books that explore a diverse approach to God, Christianity, life, love and more. I invited John to review his current situation. His words are poignant, insightful and inspiring.

In 2020 I reached the milestone of 50 years of ordained ministry with the Methodist Church of New Zealand, serving mainly in South Island parishes and in Perth, Western Australia, in parish ministry with the Uniting Church in Australia.

Until mid-March this year I was going about my daily work which included editing Word & Worship, the quarterly publication of the New Zealand Lay Preachers Association,reading and writing book reviews, preparing and leading occasional services of worship, and, together with Jill, gardening and riding our bikes to the gym.

When breathing deeply a slight but persistent pain in my right upper back prompted me to seek medical consultation. The day before I had been to the gym and officiated at a funeral. A chest x-ray was ordered. This suggested the trouble was pneumonia but when the usual treatment yielded no results an admission to hospital was arranged. After the best part of two weeks in hospital it was finally confirmed that I had inoperable lung cancer. I was discharged and a Health Care nurse visits daily to drain fluid from the affected lung. I pay tribute to the registered nurses and student nurses who have cared for me in hospital and at home.

I have really enjoyed the opportunity to write book reviews for Touchstone. It has been a blessing working with editor, Ady Shannon, who has encouraged me to review those books that capture my interest and which I feel will appeal to readers of Touchstone. Another consideration is that books reviewed must be reasonably priced for potential buyers or readily available in public libraries.

It has been hard moving from being fit and well to needing lots of care in just a few weeks. Jill and I have been married for 52 years and have always been a team, each depending on the other in various ways. That mutuality is now taking a different shape. I am surrounded by much love and care in my family and have received many encouraging emails, phone calls and visits from friends, many of whom speak movingly of gifts I barely knew I had.

I felt blessed when Ann Gilroy, editor of Tui Motu, wrote that I was especially remembered in prayer as she worked in the healing garden of the Tui Motu property. Ann wrote: I join the plants in putting energy, spirit and gratitude into the atmosphere which I imagine mingling with the love and concern enveloping you at this time …

As Jill and I share the time that remains we reflect on words sent by Ian Harris: The life we take for granted, year after year, suddenly is transformed. It becomes precarious and fragile.

Precarious indeed but also precious. I regard each day as a gift. I am at peace and live in faith. As I have written in my last editorial for Word & Worship, faith in God is not belief that there is a great Spirit ‘out there’ watching us from a distance. It is discovering a presence in the midst of life that shapes our values, gives us a sense of purpose and enables us to live with hope and love.