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Rev. Thames - A Man Of God...May he rest in peace - Tributes from Synod and CIRMC

Sisters and brothers,

It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of Rev. Henry Earl Thames earlier this afternoon. Rev. Thames collapsed at Youth Camp at the Madge Saunders Conference Centre. He was taken to the St. Ann’s Bay Hospital and could not be revived.

This has come as a colossal shock to the entire United Church. Our dear Rev. Thames, Uncle Earl, meant the world to all of us. We have lost a dear colleague, a caring,  sensitive, passionate pastor and friend. His was a brilliant mind and he LOVED the Lord, serving  to the very end. Rev. Thames would have celebrated his 80th birthday in October.

We offer prayers for his family as we too seek God’s peace and assurance that God does all things well.

May his soul rest in peace and light perpetual shine on him.

Tributes for Rev. Thames for the Cayman Islands Regional Mission Council

The Cayman Islands Regional Mission Council joins the wider family of the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands in giving God thanks for Rev. Thames who was a tremendous gift to our Church. His wisdom, knowledge and history of the Church was unfathomable. His commitment to ecumenism, to the call for righteousness in the society and for justice to prevail was deeply entrenched in his theological construct and in how he lived his life. As a Pastor and an Evangelist, he made sure the gospel was preached and that there was transformation that led to commitment. Rev. Thames influenced many of us in our response to the call to ministry. His steady hand and his caring heart made us aspire to being the best we could be in our service to God.  May his soul rest in peace.
RDGS - Rev. Yvette Noble Bloomfield

There are few words I can find just now to express the anguish of the Cayman Regional Mission Council at this news. We offer prayers for his family and remember with deep gratitude and respect his significant contribution to our Church.  May his soul rest in peace. 
Chair of Council – Angela Martins

He served to the very end. God said: That’s enough Earl and then He took him away. There was no prolonged suffering. What a peaceful way to be called away! Thank God for His servant who was a brother to many. Many years ago I was at camp when we gave him a name, I think it was Mr. Camp, and he deserved it because he never missed one. That is why so many United Church young people knew him more than any other visitor to camp.
From Rev. Harry Bodden 

God bless our Brother Earl's soul. We remember him faithfully performing at camp, caring for the children and youth. He was a faithful pastor and Synod Moderator. He visited the Cayman Islands Council twice in two months in 1976. He can be described as a real all-rounder for Christ. He said we really needed the Lay Pastor's office, rather than having the Ministers running around with a communion cup. May his soul rest in peace.
From Rev. Godfrey Meghoo

Colleagues,
This is truly a difficult time for all of us. The church has lost a humble servant and a nurturer with an untiring support to the camp ministry, and the wider church. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. Shalom!
From  Rev. Rohan Forrester

           
            Rev. Henry Earl Thames       

Posted by: Administrator Friday Aug 12, 2016 09:19
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