His
funeral was at St John the Baptist, PE11 1JQ on Thursday 18 June at 1:30pm
with donations for Christian Aid and to Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust for the
Neurocritical Unit (or send to Willson's Funeral Directors, 40 Winsover Road,
Spalding, PE11 1EJ). Participating clergy were asked to robe; St John's school closed for the afternoon. Peter's spiritual director, Bishop Christopher Herbert, pictured Peter in typical conversation with St Paul. Steve Weatherly-Barton, minister of Gosberton Baptist and chaplain to the Johnson Community Hospital: Early this morning I heard the sad news of the death of my dear friend, Rev.
Peter Garland, following a serious fall at his home the day before. For nearly
five years Peter and I have worked together, prayed together and often laughed
together as we shared responsibility for the Chaplaincy of Johnson Community
Hospital, and more recently joined with others in planning Lent events in
Spalding. For me, and for many others, he has been a source of encouragement,
wise advice, and great example. He has served tirelessly in his ministry in the
parishes of St. John’s Spalding and of Deeping St. Nicholas. He has contributed
significantly to the unity and fellowship of Churches Together in Spalding and
District. He has been probably one of the best-known men in this community,
where he has lived and worked for many years. It as at times like these that our hope in Christ becomes especially
precious. We know that his work is not wasted; we know that he is at home with
the Lord. But we remember too the grief of his wife Frances and their sons and
family, and the profound sense of loss in the churches, the hospital and the
whole community. Please join me in prayer for all those who mourn, as we thank
God for a remarkable and dedicated man. Annie Weatherly-Barton: Peter [and Steve WB] were such close friends and confidants. Enjoyed similar wicked sense of humour and genuinely enjoyed each other's company. It is a sad loss for all who knew him but my thoughts are with Frances and their boys. Peter was such a very good man. Honourable, honest, caring, loyal, loving and such wonderful fun. A man of true integrity. A wonderful man who made it a pleasure to be with and enjoyed a laugh and a smile. Rest in Peace Peter Spalding Voice including tributes by Paul Reid, Vicky Harvey and Angela Newton: Rev Peter Garland, of St John The Baptist Parish Church in Spalding and Deeping St Nicholas Parish Church, died in hospital on Wednesday (May 27)* Thursday 28 May after being admitted following a fall at home. Spalding Voice Facebook post & picture with tributes (open group) Spalding Guardian includes tributes by Rev Mike Chesher and Rev Ian Walters: Church leaders have reacted with shock and sadness to the sudden death of Rev Peter Garland, vicar of St John the Baptist Church, Spalding... Spalding Guardian further tributes including Capt Paul Whiteley and Pastor Kevin Taylor Spalding Guardian: tributes from Ven Tim Barker, Rev Anthony Walker and Rt Rev Tim Ellis Rev John Moon wrote to his local Portsmouth News and the Spalding Guardian: As a former vicar of St John’s Church, Spalding, I write to pay tribute to the Rev Peter Garland. From his first arrival at St John’s he showed my wife and myself complete friendliness, shown not least by his willingness to ask me to take part in special services when invited to do so. I appreciated his utter devotion to the people of his two parishes. They will not be the same without him. He will never be forgotten - his transformation of the interior of St John’s, and tremendous undertaking, will be his everlasting memorial. Rt Rev'd Christopher Lowson, bishop of Lincoln: It is immensely sad when someone who dedicates their life and talent to
supporting their community so faithfully and energetically dies so suddenly. I
was privileged to have been able to visit Peter in hospital, to anoint him, and
to pray with him and his family, and my prayers will continue for the people of
the churches Peter served, for the wider communities of Spalding and Deeping St
Nicholas, and above all, for Frances* and all of Peter's family. Peter had been vicar of St John the Baptist, Spalding with Deeping St Nicholas
since 1999. He had previously been vicar of Tongham in the Diocese of Guildford,
where he also served his curacy. He studied at University College, London, and
held masters degrees from both the University of West Ontario and St John's
College, Durham Peter contributed to the ecumenical work of the wider church through close working with local churches in Deeping St Nicholas as well as Spalding and beyond. (Right: a time of prayer just ended with Paul Whiteley and David Curran) *Entries lightly edited to include correct details. |