It was with great sadness that we learned of the recent death of the Rev’d John Parkinson, whom we have known and loved for so many years.

He is remembered as a man with so many attributes - his open and big heartedness, his hospitality, his wry sense of humour and his deep insight into what made a country and its people tick.  He had the ability to relate to both church and non churchgoers and had no problems in crossing the divide between Christians and non Christians.  

With all these attributes he was able to deliver marvellous sermons.  With his mellifluous voice and wonderful eloquence - he preached some very powerful sermons and our only regret is that we have no record of these.  With his considerable knowledge of the history of the Old and New Testaments, he had the ability to bring the Bible to life by explaining the background to the story contained in that day’s reading. 

He will also be remembered for his compassion and counselling skills.  He was a fount of down-to-earth homely and practical advice.  On one occasion he helped a member of the congregation, going through a particularly difficult time, by sending her off to India to a girl’s orphanage for the summer.  This had a profound effect and resulted in her organising a yearly supper, which consisted of a typical meal served to the children, in aid of the orphanage.  

John had excellent management skills, whether running a very effective church council or bringing out hidden talents in his staff and parishioners. 

He was a man of integrity and compassion – a deep thinker and a very human and lovable man.   His passion for life, his humour, his hospitality and bigness of heart, could only have thrived with his wife Joan at his side.  He loved his family and was especially devoted to his seven his grandchildren. 

One member of the congregation will forever be grateful to God for John’s ministry which was instrumental in her returning to faith, after many years of doubt.

After leaving Bahrain he still maintained contact with many of his parishioners from Bahrain, officiating at weddings and funerals.  Evidence of his great affinity with young people was a young lady who, even after leaving Bahrain, when engaged to be married, remembered him and had him top of her list to officiate at her wedding 18 months ago.  This he did, making it a very happy and special occasion for all concerned.  Sadly, this was his last wedding before he became ill.   

We were privileged and honoured to have had him as our Vicar and then Provost at St. Christopher’s from 1983 to 1990 - we will always remember him, and offer our love and prayers to his wife Joan and their family at this time of great sadness.

Our thanks to Philip and Ann Melhuish, Fred Pole, Ivor and Hazel Pond and others  for sharing their memories of John.
 

When, in 1985, John Parkinson asked me to be his churchwarden, my first reaction was "but I disagree with you about so much John", and anyway Margaret Tompkins as predecessor in the post would be a very hard act to follow. His reply that "he didn't want a 'Yes Woman'" persuaded me; so began a very fulfilling period in my church life.

John enjoyed the social life of Bahrain and in so doing he attracted many previously uncommitted Christians to join in more regular worship at St Christopher’s. I came to appreciate that behind the bonhomie lay a deeply spiritual man who worked hard, and with more than a little success, to enhance the standing of all the Christian communities within Bahrain. Those, both clergy and congregation, who came after him, owe him a great debt.

Paddy Richards