It is with great sadness that I write to tell you that our dear associate priest, Rev’d David Hull, died peacefully on Tuesday 4th August. I had the tremendous privilege of giving him the last rites with his wife Chris and daughter Ashleigh by his side. He became particularly alert as I read these words from the letter to the Romans:
Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Romans 8: 35-39)
We then shared communion and as we neared the end of the service and I prayed the prayer of commendation, David breathed his last.
I couldn’t help but think of the opening sentences of the service of Compline: “The Lord Almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.”
It was the most peaceful death one could hope for and we know David will hear those words from his Saviour: ‘come thou good and faithful servant’.
Chris (David’s wife) and Ashleigh (his daughter) would like to thank everyone for all the prayers, cards and messages of support sent over these last few months.
A Service of Thanksgiving for David’s life and ministry will be held at St Mary Magdalene’s Creswell next year once the gathering restrictions are eased.
This morning the David’s funeral took place at Brimington Crematorium after a wonderful journey through Creswell, Clowne and Barlborough where the streets were lined with support from all the people’s whose lives David touched.
Thank you for all the prayers and support for me and the family on this sad day.
Love in Christ,
Rev’d Bryony Taylor (Rector of Barlborough and Clowne)
Thanksgiving for David’s Life
You may like to use this short order of service at home to remember David by:
Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation,will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8.38-39
You might like to light a candle. Then pray:
Be with us, loving God.
Hear our prayers and comfort us in our loss,
and help us to trust in your Son Jesus,
whom you raised from the dead.
Strengthen our faith and renew our hope
that David and all those we love will share in his
resurrection.
Amen.
Read Psalm 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd;
therefore can I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures
and leads me beside still waters.
3 He shall refresh my soul
and guide me in the paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
4 Though I walk through the valley of the
shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You spread a table before me
in the presence of those who trouble me;
you have anointed my head with oil
and my cup shall be full.
6 Surely goodness and loving mercy shall
follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
for ever.
Reflect on your memories.
– What stands out in your memory about David?
– What will you always remember about him?
– What things did you learn through his life and death, including about God?
Now give thanks to God for David’s life and ask for strength for yourself and those who grieve.
Dear God,
thank you for David,
and for all that he meant to me and to
others.
I so wanted to say goodbye.
Help me to know you are there,
holding all my hopes,
holding all those I love, especially David,
and holding me this day too.
Be close to us all this day with your peace
and hope.
Amen.
Heavenly Father,
you have not made us for darkness and death,
but for life with you for ever.
Without you we have nothing to hope for;
with you we have nothing to fear.
Speak to us now your words of eternal life.
Lift us to the light and peace of your presence,
and set the glory of your love before us today:
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Now pray this prayer, which is used at the end of the funeral service to say goodbye.
God our creator and redeemer,
by your power Christ conquered death
and entered into glory.
Confident of his victory
and claiming his promises,
we entrust David to your mercy
in the name of Jesus our Lord,
who died and is alive
and reigns with you,
now and for ever.
Amen.
6 Comments
Eric Hall
Thank you, Rev. Briony, and the people of Creswell, Clowne and Barlborough, for the final farewell you gave to Rev.David. I have many happy memories of David during my thirty odd years at Clowne, and of the help he gave Vera and myself during our period as Churchwardens during the interregnum. He was always available for good advice, and always cheerful. He will be very much missed.
‘In my Father’s house are many mansions’ David will now be occupying one of these
R.I.P Thou good and faithful Servant.
Sharon Bytheway
David did my husbands funeral and not a nicer more helpful man could you wish to meet a true gentleman RIP David
Rev. Judy Henderson Smith
Thank you, I worked alongside David a few times and loved his ready humour. Sadly missed
Donna chapman
So sad. David our family member did my mums funeral in February. Cannot believe he has gone. Always did such a beautiful service of all our family that has passed. Christine and Ashleigh big hugs from all the family at this sad time xxx
Janice Thompson
My wonderful friend for many years i listened to your advice many times and you christened my Son. I miss you David love Janice
s
certain this is the man who was at a mansfield church around 1991…i walked in to seek help mentally having suffered severe trauma in my life…i am not a church attendee but was so desperate to relieve the turmoil i was suffering and just walked in and met david…..obviously he left an impact on me hence my random search for him just out of the blue…..thankyou David…i will never forget your kindness that day…