REVEREND CANON EDWARD GATHERER, rector of the St Andrew’s Parish Church, “has fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith”.
This description was used by Gatherer’s long-standing friend the Rev. Canon Wilborne Austin as he addressed members of the Anglican communion in Barbados, Government officials and Gatherer’s family during a retirement church service at the St Andrew’s Parish Church, where Gatherer served as rector for 34 years.
Austin, priest of the St Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Bloomfield, Connecticut, in the United States, said that his friend had touched the lives of thousands of people in one capacity or another during his 60-year service to the Anglican Church and would be remembered for being resolute in what he believed to be right.
“You have shown all of us how necessary, especially in the days in which we are living, [it is] to stand for something or we will fall for anything. You have fought not just any fight; you have fought the good fight. You have fought to lead people to Christ. We all know the song Will There Be Any Stars In My Crown. Well, I heard a preacher say once that there will be no starless crowns in heaven. I know that your crown will be star-studded.”
Austin indicated his friend came to Barbados, and specifically to Codrington College, to be trained in the priesthood, and upon becoming a priest he opted to remain in Barbados. He said that he was unaware of Gatherer’s intention when he left his home in St Vincent, but based on the work he had accomplished in Barbados, and specifically in the parish of St Andrew, “I would say that God led him here”.
“He did not jump and come, in my humble but accurate opinion. I believe that he was called by God to this part of God’s vineyard.”
As tears streamed down his face, an emotional Gatherer thanked the congregation for assembling to give him a “very spiritual and moving-send-off”.“
My tenure at St Andrew has been long, very eventful but very fulfilling. I am grateful to have served in this parish. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock in whom I take refuge. The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made. I bid you farewell,” said the 87-year-old.