Geoff Holgate came to live in Shirley with his young family of three daughters in 1969 and apart from a brief sojourn in Moiraira/Portet Bay, Spain, he lived there until his death 30th January this year 2021. Horses came to take him home to St John’s church where both mum Maureen and his lives were celebrated. Gwen Richardson dads partner lives on. Geoff restarted local tennis club with his enthusiasm and passion. He became a management committee of one, and then a few others followed, when following living in our family home in south way and bungalow mead way he moved into a flat in Forestdale. He saved people money on the estate, Gwen and him drew maps and he put in safety bumps so the kids could play safely. He loved children and loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren much. Thoran 5 years old had him for 5 years and both had great joy in each other. As a gardener in his spare time he grew a rose garden to delight the residents and planted many beds of abundant herbs. When he needed them his neighbours cared for him and looked out for him. He was an intrepid traveller adventurer had a great sense of humour, he was the best dad anyone could have, supportive and loving Dad Grandad and Great Grandad.

He coped with his disabilities the last few years with stoicism. A passionate tennis player swimmer he swam the huge bay 4 years ago in Spain where his ashes will be rowed out and released so he can swim the bay again. He was cremated in north surrey after beautiful ceremony at St John’s, his granddaughter Ror sang for him and grandson Chris read poem. He grew fruit and loved roses. A Getrude Jekyll pink rose his favourite is planted at coombe oak gardens near first bench. He has his own bench near his flat. West Wickham was his favourite place the Barbers loved him. He liked to shop there. He and mum had 40 years together and him and Gwen 20 years it was his great sadness they did not marry.

He is sadly and deeply missed and loved by us all family and close friends and neighbours.

Frances Ocean Glyn Maja Sharon Holgate-Smith

Please join us by watching the livestreamed ceremony on Thursday 13 May at 2pm UK time (4pm in Jerusalem). You can watch the ceremony on YouTube here or on Facebook here and will be able to post messages of congratulations live. Bishop Christopher will be representing the Archbishop of Canterbury at the installation.

Friends of the Holy Land has joined with Embrace the Middle East and religious leaders in the UK (including Bishop Christopher) to bid farewell to Archbishop Suheil Dawani on his retirement and to welcome Bishop Hosam Naoum to his new ministry. You can watch their video messages here.

In his message, Bishop Christopher thanked Archbishop Suheil for his friendship, guidance and wisdom. “It was a wonderful privilege in January to sign the Covenant which brings our two dioceses together in fellowship and in missional common purpose,” he said.

In an ecumenical message led by Cardinal Vincent Nichols and Lord Rowan Williams, two patrons of Friends of the Holy Land, all involved pray that the Holy Spirit be a companion to help Bishop Hosam in his ministry, particularly as it starts during the current difficult times in Jerusalem.

Thy Kingdom Come is a global prayer movement that invites Christians around the world to pray for more people to come to know Jesus. Christians from more than 170 countries and 65 denominations have taken part.

Thy Kingdom Come runs between Ascension and Pentecost, and in 2021 will take place from 13-23 May. 

During the 11 days of Thy Kingdom Come, it is hoped that everyone who takes part will:

• Deepen their own relationship with Jesus Christ
• Pray for 5 friends or family to come to faith in Jesus
• Pray for the empowerment of the Spirit that we would be effective in our witness

What started in 2016 as an invitation from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York to the Church of England has grown into an international and ecumenical call to prayer.

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The link to the website is: Thy Kingdom Come | Thy Kingdom Come