A Message from David’s Family

‘We buried Dad this afternoon in the churchyard of St. Andrews parish church in Sherborne St John near Basingstoke. We were blessed with a lovely sunny afternoon. The graveyard is in a very peaceful setting, to the side of a spring-fed pond, very like the (nearby) pond where Mum and Dad lived for 30+ years in the house they named Still Waters.

Appropriately, the short committal service began with a reading of Psalm 23.

The service was very ably led by Rev. Clive Hawkins, rector of St. Mary’s church in Basingstoke, which Mum and Dad attended for many years. The service was attended just by David’s immediate family – his wife, Enid, children Angie and Richard, and their families – plus two invited representatives of the David Pawson Teaching Trust. Clive said a few words about Dad, quoting some short but relevant extracts from more than one of his books. The service ended with the last two verses from the Book of Jude, Dad’s favourite benediction, which – many might remember – he often invited the congregation to sing at the end of a service:

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

For those who might like to visit his grave in the coming weeks and months, we suggest parking at the Village Hall in Sherborne St. John, RG24 9HR, which is 5 minutes’ walk from St. Andrews, up a narrow lane. When you see the lychgate of the church on your right, continue walking up the path, passing the pond on your right. The active graveyard is just after the pond, also on your right. Entering the graveyard you will see a war memorial ahead of you; the newer graves are then to your left. Please bear in mind that, as usual, there will be no headstone for 6+ months. However, you will quickly see the most recently dug graves, and there is a small, temporary nameplate.

On behalf of the whole family, I would like to express our thanks for the many cards and other thoughtful messages that we have received over the last few days. We hope to organise a thanksgiving service for Dad in a few months’ time when it is permissible to congregate again, and also to ensure that that service be recorded or made accessible online somehow. Details will be announced through this site, when known.’

Richard Pawson, Tuesday 2nd June 2020