Two memorial services this week for former clergy

I experienced this as a sad week in the diocese as there were two memorial services here in London for two of our own clergy who have died this summer, the Revd Keith Gordon and the Revd Verna Veritie.


On Wednesday, in the Church of St Alban the Martyr, Holborn, friends and family gathered to remember Fr Keith. He was the priest-in-charge of St Francis Parish in Tenerife South and died of cancer on 4 June. The preacher at the service was the Revd Idris Jones, who had been a colleague of Fr Keith's on the neighbouring island of Lanzarote.


On Monday in St Matthew's, Westminster, the Ministry Team of the Diocese held a requiem for Deacon Verna. She was newly ordained and was in the early weeks of her work as assistant curate in St Paul's Athens when she died on 30 August. There is a further memorial for Verna to be held in Scotland on Sunday 30 September. Her ashes will be interred, following a requiem, at St George's Lisbon where she served as a reader, on Saturday 13 October.

Have mercy, O Lord, upon the souls of Keith and Verna. Given them eternal rest, let light perpetual shine upon them, and may they rest in peace; through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

Comments

  1. Please note:
    Verna Veritie died on 30 August 2012
    She was born in Exeter, Devon
    The police investigation is ongoing, and at this stage there is no evidence that her death was accidental or otherwise.

    ReplyDelete
  2. May all your souls rest in peace! My prayers are with you all.
    - northtexaschaplains.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I knew Verna well at St George's in Lisbon, which I have attended on an occasional basis for many years. She was always so friendly, helpful and positive, and it was so enjoyable to chat with her and Fr Michael and sometimes join them, with others, for a convivial lunch after service and before they drove on to Caldas da Rainha for the evening service that is sometimes held there. Verna was a true Christian and a committed, loving person. I know I join with many others when I pray to the Lord to have mercy on her soul.

    ReplyDelete

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