28 — Sunday, January 19, 1992 — North Shore News Piecing the puzzle together BY THIS time of our lives, the jigsaw pieces remaining in our ditty-bag rattle around 4 lot. No telling just how many are left; we’re only sure there aren’t as many as there used to be. Whether what’s left will serve to round out our per- sonal design is moot. Eleanor Godley THE VINTAGE YEARS: It’s a pleasure, then, to tell you about a neighbor in these parts who seemed to know all along ex- actly how many pieces ‘he was issued and exactly where they should go. He’s at the point now where his life’s layout has achiev- ed the coherence and authority of a tapestry. ‘His name is David Somerville, erstwhile Archbishop of British Columbia and the Yukon, and his wife Frances. has written a small book celebrating this and other of his life accomplishments. He made the decision at age 7 that his life would henceforth be devoted to the Anglican Church, and it has proven thus, through the many postings and assign- ments that carried him from graduation at UBC to the grand adventure of representing the Archbishop of Canterbury at the Council of Anglicans in Rome. The small book is called David, Bishop and Friend, which is a very nice double-barrelled tribute. It is that phrase that is used by the congregation of St. Catherine’s church in the Highlands, where he sometimes still presides, when he is numbered in their prayers. All the proceeds from the sale of the book are reserved for The Primates World Relief and Devel- opment fund, of which David i is a supporter. It’s a remarkable recital in that what he achieved was against very long odds, but he was blessed with aremarkable mother. . She made the incredibly long journey from Devon to marry David’s father in Ashcroft, in 1914, and was widowed before the boy was four years old. Canada seemed to suit her spirit, though, and she set herself to use her energy and fortitude to make a life here for the two of them. She herself had only home-arts, but was determined that David’s education should be as good as she could arrange, so by the time he was ready for high school they had moved to Vancouver’s West End. They subsisted by offering room and board, in which establish- ments David could help out with chores at home and a paper route after school. It established the pattern of his life. Later, when he was living at the Anglican College at UBC, he worked regularly as a grounds keeper. When his ordina- tion led him first to Princeton, in 1940, he sorted mail between tains, from 1:30 am. to 5 a.m. each morning in order to be able to afford to run the parish car. Time and dedication at last brought him and his mother a secure living, which allowed him to channel his energies into less onerous chores. He became a reg- ular on the church program for the CBC, so much admired that they offered him a steady job! He used his excellent singing voice and his interest in drama in every way possible to broaden and strengthen the base of the church. His enthusiasms for botany and bird-watching were applied to de- veloping youth groups, and at all times he was an urgent evangelist both for reading and for com- munity service. He showed early a sort of ge- nius for persuading people to his view of things. And those views were always stimulating and provocative. He was a strong voice for the growing ecumenism, which he said “reflects the reality of the world.”’ He applauded the final- ly-achieved ordination of women, helped to design a course in management to guide new bish- ops, helped bring up to date the administration of the regional deaneries, always moving posi- Burnaby, BC 7925 1h Ave. North Vancouver, BC Hith and St. Georges Ave. tively. He is an advocate for emphasiz- ing the public social responsibility of the church, as he is about en- couraging new simpler ways of expressing the gospel message. Now, retired from the church, he has, he says, retired into the in- dulgence of his passion for reading, walking, swimming, Tai Chi, the stimulation of students, and the differences that exist in the church now that women are involved in the hierarchies. Art and music are still para- mount preoccupations. He still preaches, times, in St. Catherine’s, when the: incumbent is absent, still leads retreats and courses at the conference centre in Sorrento, and whatever he is do- ing is with a sense of fun. The little book carries a very modest price considering its weight of happiness. If you would like a copy, please call me at 984-6246. I am the proud mes- senger. Powell Rive 4 aC 4880 Manson Ave. Coming to North Shore Friday, January 24 ¢ 7:30 p.m. Richmond, BC 7211 Wesmminter Hwy. Hl dedicated to results. ¢ personal injury ¢ divorce ¢ wrongful dismissal ¢ general litigation « conveyancing © Wills and estates BALDWING.COMPANY Law Office . lf Lynn Valley Centre 985-8000 Vancouver, BC X520 132d Si. 37th Ave. und Baillie St. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and the Seven Seals (This Series of Presentations Continue: Phone 298-2000 for additional dates, times and topics.) Featuring Richard Pollard Richard Pollard is well qualified to bring you this Lecture Series. Considered a Bible Scholar on the book of Revelation he is also an International Traveler, Radio and Television personality in addition to being a renowned Lecturer. Known as the “SINGING EVANGELIST.” he has completed 32 years as an evangelist, 17 of those with the Voice of Prophecy. He has held his Revelation Lecture Crusades all over the United States and Canada. 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