Weekly Update | October 20,2024
On Sunday at 2pm St. John’s is gathering for a memorial and glorious celebration of life and music to remember Hilary Fraser-Thomson, who died on August 19, 2024. Hilary was a beloved member of the St. John’s choir and church for over two decades, singing nearly every service of the year, at memorials and for other special occasions. There are no words to adequately express our heartfelt grief over of her death.
Hilary’s family also feels that it’s important not to gloss over the cause of her death. One of Hilary’s sister, Dr. Sabrina Derrington, gave permission to share her message to us:
Hilary worked so hard throughout her life to overcome and seek help for depression, anxiety, addiction, and the wounds of loss and trauma. That was a brave battle. Her death by suicide shouldn't reflect poorly on her any more than we would blame someone whose cancer recurred after many years of chemotherapy. Hilary always poured herself out for people who were hurting and desperate and I think it would be important to her to name it in a way that invites others to acknowledge their struggles and reminds us to carry one another's burdens.
The importance of sharing this message is to encourage anyone who is struggling with the challenges of life to let us know, and allow us to offer support while seeking professional help. While we do not have the power to make the world right, we do have an advocate and companion through Jesus who is with us at every step along the way on this journey and beyond. God is with us, and God was with Hilary in and through the joys and struggles. There is not one of us who would not have been there for Hilary if we had only known how difficult it was. Please allow this parish family at the Cathedral to be there for you and your loved ones when life is too much.
Let us celebrate the life and love of Hilary, and the ways our lives are forever changed for the good because she is a part of us. We are here for you. I close with prayers from the Anglican Church of Ireland.
God of hope,
we come to you in shock and grief and confusion of heart.
Help us to find peace in the knowledge
of your loving mercy to all your children, especially Hilary.
and give us light to guide us out of our darkness
into the assurance of your love,
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
God our strength and our redeemer:
you do not leave us in this life
nor abandon us in death.
Hear our prayer for those in despair,
when days are full of darkness
and the future seems empty of hope.
Renew in them your sustaining strength
for we believe that there is nothing in all creation
that can separate us from your love
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen.
