St.Mary's Upton

TRIBUTE TO PAT BY A MEMBER OF ST MARY’S

Pat first came to St Mary’s in the spring of 1981. At that time, she was studying at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) for her Master’s degree and living in a hostel in Liverpool. She was shy and retiring, but obviously appreciated the worship and fellowship of St Mary’s, as she came each Sunday. Later that year she moved to live in Upton, which became her base evermore. She joined a Home Group who faithfully supported her, at home and abroad, for many years. During the 80’s she travelled extensively across Africa and elsewhere, managing to complete a PhD at the same time! Her thesis was researched primarily in Boga, DR Congo, where she worked for CMS and the Diocese of Boga. In the spring of 1988 St Mary’s World Church Group started giving Pat some active support, subsequently adopting her as a Missionary Link.

Her work with IPASC in Congo began in 1991. During periods of war from 1994 onwards, we would often pray for her at the 9am service. In 2002, when improvements were made to St Mary’s Church buildings (Operation Welcome) it was decided that 10% of the total giving should be donated to IPASC in order for them to proceed with their building plans. The cheque for £24,000 was presented to Pat on the very day that Nyankunde was decimated by war. Wonderfully, the money provided funding for the Administration Building in the new IPASC site at Aru.

Pat was so committed to her work in Congo that one felt she would have great difficulty passing it on to her African colleagues. So it was like a thunderbolt when Pat shared with close friends over breakfast her calling into the Anglican ministry. That calling was so clear and compelling that one could not doubt it was from God. Training in Nairobi and Nottingham led to Pat being ordained Deacon in Chester Cathedral in June 2004. Rob Shimwell, who had helped with her training, offered her a post as Curate at St Mary’s, which she gladly accepted. In January 2005 she was awarded an OBE, and in one amazing weekend of celebration in Aru she was ordained Priest in the Dioceses of Chester and Boga, and the next day received her OBE from the British Ambassador. Five members of St Mary’s were present for these occasions.

During her first year on the staff of St Mary’s she was juggling 3 other jobs – with CMS, IPASC and LSTM. She worked incredibly hard, but that was true of the whole 4½ years she served on the staff team. In 2007, Graeme Skinner offered her a post as Associate Vicar with special responsibility for The Centre. Her “job description” also allowed time for Pat to visit DRC several times a year.

Within her 3 curacy years, Pat became acquainted with almost every member of St Mary’s. Her preaching was refreshing, inspiring and thought-provoking. She had a very logical mind and could explain and debate very well. Her experience as a nurse and midwife also enabled her to identify with the sick and suffering, often explaining their symptoms and treatment. She adored babies and could relate comfortably to people of all ages. She never forgot the unsung heroes such as the church cleaners whom she visited every Friday morning. She was constantly concerned for everyone else except herself. “How are you” she would ask, with a searching look for a truthful answer. Pat was an innovator and unafraid to try out new ideas for a service or meeting. She had huge determination, bordering on obstinacy at times!!

During Pat’s last 18 months of work at St Mary’s she walked purposefully and with great dignity through the valley of the shadow of death. In August 2007, a few days before leaving on a trip to Congo, she took herself to the doctor to make sure the abdominal pain she was suffering was not serious and would not flair up whilst she was abroad. Following urgent tests, her doctor very firmly stopped her travel plans. Soon after, she was diagnosed with inoperable cancer. She did not want the congregation to know the extent of her illness so that she could continue to minister to them rather than the reverse. Pat had served on several Diocesan Committees and become well known across the Diocese. So when Bishop Peter asked her to set up a diocesan link between Chester, Aru and Boga she welcomed the challenge, and with help from others succeeded in establishing this during her illness. Even prior to this, her strong ties with Congo produced a rich exchange of personnel to and from DRC that greatly enhanced the vision of St Mary’s. Who can forget the visit of the Congolese Bishops to Chester and St Mary’s in July 2008 prior to the Lambeth Conference? Pat, reeling from the adverse effects of recent chemotherapy, dragged herself round to all the events in the Diocese, and then on to Canterbury to participate in the Lambeth Conference.

Perhaps Pat’s two bravest innovations were the formation of the Cancer Support Group that meets bi-monthly at the Sisters of Jesus Way; and the very last course she ran, entitled “Dying and Resurrection – a Christian Perspective”, at which she taught and shared her own experience of approaching death with peace, serenity and anticipation.

In March 2009, when Pat could hardly stand up or walk, she decided it was time to terminate her contract with St Mary’s. Her plan was to work on her book “Diamonds in the Darkness” which was only half written – but alas, time and strength ran out. This website was born out of a desire to publish her unfinished book and to pay tribute to an extraordinarily brave and gifted pioneer for Christ.

Sally Shand.