UPDATE: The funeral of our friend and priest Patrick Miller will be this Thursday, 10 September, at 11.30am. Because of limits on numbers, only family and a few close friends can attend in person. Everyone else is encouraged to attend the funeral online, as we plan a basic livestream on Facebook in the same way as we do for our Sunday services. You don’t need to be a Facebook user. Go to this address online: www.facebook.com/stmarysewell/live We suggest you log on from 11.20am, there will be music playing before the funeral starts. We also hope to record the service so if there are any problems with the livestream we would be able to make the recording available.
No flowers, but the family ask donations be made to church in memory of Patrick– I am most grateful to Susanne for thinking of us in this way. https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/donation-web/charity?charityId=1006677 is one way to donate.
ORIGINAL NOTICE
We have to share the sad news that our assistant priest, the Revd Dr Patrick Miller, died on Sunday 23 August. Patrick celebrated 60 years of priesthood last year, and among those many years of service the most recent were at St Mary’s. He remained active in ministry right until the end, contributing online sermons earlier during lockdown and being involved in the telephone ministry. We will miss very much his ministry, his friendship, especially his erudition, passion for justice, and sense of humour.
Patrick’s widow Susanne has written a message which I have copied below.
Dear St Mary’s congregation,
Thank you so much for all the wonderful messages you sent on Patrick’s death. He would be very touched by all the praise and appreciation you gave him. I will keep them all, make a souvenir book so they can be read and treasured for a long time. We are organizing the funeral at St Mary’s but it will be a very small group of family and friends participating. For those who will not be able to be there in person the whole service will be live-streamed and also recorded, the time and date to be published later. Those who wish can then take part remotely. Lucky you to have a savvy vicar and various equally savvy helpers. We plan to hold a commemorative service and wake once the new enemy Covid 19 has decided to withdraw and leave us alone. Then we can celebrate Patrick’s life and have a good drink and nibble.
Till then I thank you all again.
Susanne Miller
