Dear Friends,

It is with sadness but also thanks that I am writing to inform you that our parishioner and friend, Colin McLaren, passed away, quietly and with dignity, in the early hours of this morning (4th of June 2024) at Royal Melbourne Hospital Parkville. Colin had been admitted to hospital with several complications late last week which led the medical staff to place him under palliative care.

Colin had visitors, music, readings and prayers during his time in hospital. Colin served God faithfully in his lifetime and he was committed into God’s care before he passed away. We look forward to having many conversations with him in the new heaven and earth God has promised to bring when Christ returns.

Colin’s daughters, Rachel and Sarah, have asked for his memorial service to be held at St. John’s Brunswick West. I will write to you again when the date and time is known. In the meantime, his daughters have asked that if you have stories you would like to write down about Colin or knowledge of his favourite Biblical passages or songs/hymns that he particularly enjoyed, to please let me know by email. I will pass these onto his family.

In the hope of Christ,

Michael Flynn

(Vicar)

‘And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “See, the home of God is among mortals.He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.” ‘ – Revelation 21:3,4