Recently St John’s Church lost one of its most significant leaders and servants, Alan Empson.
Christine Bryant, Lay Minister, St John’s.
At the heart of all that Alan was and accomplished was his deeply held faith in the love of God. It fuelled his desire to offer his many talents to the service, not only of our church, but also his community and, above all, his family. For Alan, faith and works were indivisible. He exemplified the kind of leadership that is rooted in faith and practical wisdom. Memorial services and obituaries have highlighted his many strengths.
Not least among these was his ability to be an innovator in agriculture and horticulture. I teased him on more than one occasion that his farm with its verdant swards and immaculately trimmed photinia hedges looked like a golf course. He always answered that there was plenty of rough if you knew where to look! In that self-deprecating line, you knew that care for God’s creation underpinned every venture he undertook on his land. Along with being innovative, Alan was always willing to share what he had learnt and to mentor others who wished to follow in his footsteps. He was generous to a fault with his time and energy.
With the passing of such a leader, the loss of institutional knowledge and quiet spiritual guidance is significant. As one mighty totara falls, it is important to ensure that new leaders are identified and encouraged so that God’s love continues to spread where it is most needed.
It is somewhat appropriate, therefore, that, as I was mourning Alan, I was also at General Synod in the process of selecting a new Archbishop for Tikanga Pakeha, the pakeha branch of the Anglican Church of Aotearoa-NZ and Polynesia. We chose Bishop Justin Duckworth of Wellington to pick up the mantle of leadership from Archbishop Philip Richardson of Waikato-Taranaki. You may have heard him called the “long-haired, jandal-wearing” bishop.
This is a glib description of a priest who, with his wife, has dedicated his adult life to identifying with and serving “the last, the lost and the least”. Yes, Archbishop Justin does have long dreads and, if not wearing jandals, is barefoot, however, like Alan, he is passionate about the love of God to change and sustain the lives of those who struggle. He also thinks deeply about what faith means in a 21st century world, he is a fluent speaker of Te Reo – his first address to General Synod as Archbishop was in flawless Māori – and he is gifted at encouraging and empowering young leaders in the church. The new Assistant Bishop of Wellington, the Rt. Reverend Anashuya Fletcher, a vibrant young woman whom Archbishop Justin ordained priest just a few years ago.
Alan’s life of faith and works touched many people. His legacy of caring about and for his church and community will continue so that new leaders will step into his shoes and build upon his contribution.
Alan Empson – Well done, thou good and faithful servant.
