Page 44 - Presbyterian Connection

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PRESBYTERIAN
SUMMER 2023
presbyterian.ca
Remembering Rodger Talbot
The Rev. Rodger Talbot being wel- comed at Indore Airport, India, in Oc- tober 1968 by the Rev. Samuel Tazlo. PHOTO CREDIT: PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ARCHIVES
The Rev. Rodger Talbot died peacefully on February 18, 2023, just before his 95th bir thday. We are grateful for his extraordinary life, and now his life beyond death.
Rodger’s life, faith and ministry were shaped by the people and communities he served.
New to ministry and newly married to Donna (Klie), he moved from southern Ontario to meet the good people of the Pres- byterian Church in White Rock, B.C. Eventually, Rodger and Don- na spent six formative years in Japan, serving the Korean Chris- tian Church there, and developing many lifelong friendships.
Returning to Canada, he gave leadership to International Minis- tries of The Presbyterian Church in Canada before taking up com- munity-based ministry in the di- verse Toronto neighbourhood of Flemingdon Park. An activist pas- tor, he worked with others there to build community, to affirm and advocate for residents’ dignity and rights—many of whom were new immigrants to Canada.
A return to the church’s na- tional office brought new insights to International Ministries. After
The Rev. Rodger Talbot and his wife, Donna, 1960. PHOTO CREDIT: “KIMCHI & MAPLE LEAVES: UNDER THE RISING SUN,” WRITTEN BY ROBERT K. ANDERSON
Eileen Parish and the Rev. Rodger Talbot and an Annual Council Meet- ing for the Board of World Missions at Knox College, May 1990. PHOTO CREDIT: PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AR- CHIVES
care provided by its staff. We will miss him. We know, however, that there is rejoicing in Heaven as he is gathered into God’s lov- ing embrace and is greeted by his beloved Donna, son Michael, sister Gwen (Talbot Brennan) and the many cherished ones who preceded him.
A Celebration of Life took place on Saturday, May 13, at Armour Heights Presbyterian Church.
The Rev. Charles (Charlie) Alexander Scott. PHOTO CREDIT: PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ARCHIVES
in the church.”
Charlie was an avid adventurer
and outdoor enthusiast. Circum- navigating the globe, he explored Greek ruins, traveled through South-East Asia, climbed Mount Mulanji, swam the world’s oceans and drove his mustard-coloured Land Rover through African game parks. In his retirement, Charlie was a keen gardener, cyclist and walker, an explorer of God’s crea- tion through kayaking, canoeing, fishing and camping, as well as the occasional paraglide.
Charles Scott also had a deeply personal spiritual practice, which he expressed through daily de- votions with his wife, Sharon, through Celtic and Taize con- templative spirituality. His spir- itual practice encompassed body, mind, heart and soul. He had a gentle and compassionate spirit, infectious laugh, warm embrace and patient countenance.
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retirement, ever open to new ad- ventures, Rodger and Donna ac- cepted an invitation to the Presby- terian Church in Mauritius, where he served as minister of a small village church.
In his 90s, he appreciated being part of Armour Heights Presbyte- rian Church in Toronto. He lived life fully, thankful for family and the many who were like family to him. He was deeply proud of his
children, Michael (deceased), Patti (George) and Ian (Penney), and his beautiful grandchildren, Dean, Benjamin, Mikayla, Liam, Zachary and Brendan. He loved the extend- ed Klie family and seven decades of family times at the cottage on the farm in Essex County.
In his final years, Rodger en- joyed being active in the Ted- dington retirement community in Toronto and was thankful for
Profile of the Rev. Charles Alexander Scott
By the Rev. Richard Fee, former General Secretary of the Life and Mission Agency
The Rev. Charles (Charlie) Alex- ander Scott was born in Oran- geville, Ont., on April 3, 1938, and passed away in Comox, B.C., on Dec. 11, 2022. He was the be- loved husband of Sharon Yvonne Hutton for 62 years; she was a native of Hamilton, Ont., where Charlie would take his first univer- sity degree. (He proposed mar- riage between the first and sec- ond periods of a hockey game!) He was an inspirational father to Andrew (m. Brenda), Christine (m. Andrew Kotaska) and Daniel, and loving grandfather to Maya, Jesse, Jack, Luke, Andrew and Jaimie. He was predeceased by his parents, Charles and Janet, and siblings David, Jean and Nan.
Charlie received a B.A. under- graduate degree from McMaster University; theological education (B.D.) from Knox College, Uni- versity of Toronto; and a Master of Theology (M.Th.) from New College, Edinburgh, Scotland. He served The Presbyterian Church in Canada at St. Andrew’s, Victoria,
Charles Scott and his family in 1973.
PHOTO CREDIT: LIFE & JOY
B.C. (1963–1965); Varsity Acres, Calgary, Alta., (1967–1973); St. Michael’s and All Angels, Blan- tyre, Malawi (1973–1980); First Presbyterian Church, Regina, Sask.; and Gordon Presbyterian Church, Burnaby, B.C. He and Sharon settled in the Comox Val- ley for an active retirement.
Charlie was the first ordained clergy called to establish an ex- tension congregation in Varsity
Acres, Calgary. He and Sharon and their growing family were deeply loved by the ultimately 102 member strong congrega- tion that was established. Within six years he had spearheaded the building campaign and drew together faithful members. At his final service, his then 10-year-old son, Andrew, went up at the time of the benediction and asked in an audible voice, “Dad, are you going to cry, again?” The Var- sity Acres Presbyterian Church (VAPC) congregation joined with the Scott family in solid prayerful support and established a strong bond with the Blantyre, Malawi, congregation that lasted for many years.
During his formative years, Charlie was deeply influenced by his maternal grandfather, a United Church minister. As he looked back over his years of theological education and his early years in ministry, he stated that it was his M.Th. thesis, which explored the relationship between the gospel and the law, as preached by the Apostle Paul, which proved piv- otal to his whole understanding of God. He believed that his thesis
and his work at Varsity Acres in Calgary shaped his relationship with God in Christ, the church and community, Creation and his family. He landed on the Grace of God as his fundamental reality of all life. “Since VAPC was the first church in which I served, the congregation helped shape my ministry for the years ahead. Our experience of the community of Christ was positive and fulfilling.”
Charlie and Sharon served the Church of Central Africa Presby- terian (CCAP), Blantyre Synod, from June 1973 until 1980. While there, he was an associate minis- ter at the Cathedral of St. Michael and All Angels in Blantyre. He was involved in youth work in the con- gregation and taught New Testa- ment classes at Kapeni Theologi- cal College.
In 1978, Charlie co-founded and became the first Director of Theological Education by Exten- sion (TEEM) in Malawi. Modelled after a South African educational enterprise, he wrote in his 1980 annual report: “As Director of TEEM I have the opportunity to help create a new and worthwhile venture and answer a basic need