Giving thanks
Under God, many people have served with CMS over the years. We regularly acknowledge and give thanks to God for former or current CMS missionaries who have been called home to be with their heavenly Father. Here we remember Lesley Stone, Marion Shaw, Earl Hughes, Betty Leske, and June Pearce.
October 2023
Giving thanks: Lesley Stone
We thank the Lord for the life of Lesley Stone (formerly MacKenzie), who died on 18 October 2023, aged 96. With her first husband Ian MacKenzie, she served with CMS in the Northern Territory from 1964-68, then in 1974-75 and 1977-80. After Ian’s death in 1988, Lesley married Morrie Stone (died 2020). Lesley and Ian are remembered within CMS for their sense of fellowship and good humour, for the warm hospitality of their home, and their zeal to share God’s kingdom. Pray for comfort for Lesley’s extended family.
November 2023
Giving thanks: Marion Shaw
We thank God for Marion Shaw, who died in Perth on 30 November 2023, aged 86. Marion wrote of her conversion:
“Some Christians at the Salvation Army hostel, where I was staying, took me for a walk and explained how they loved and served Jesus. I thought, ‘This is a gamble’ and in faith I took that ‘gamble’. That evening I knelt by my bed and asked the Lord to be my Saviour. It was the start of my Christian life.”
Marion qualified as a pharmacist and did six months’ locum work in Pakistan. From 1974 to 1982, Marion served with CMS at Mvumi Hospital, Tanzania, and later ran the diocesan chemist shop. She returned and settled in Western Australia, where she served faithfully in her local church. Pray for her nieces Gill and Cat, and other family and friends.
January 2024
Giving thanks: Earl Hughes
We praise God for Earl Hughes, who died on 9 January 2024, aged 95. Earl and Julie served with CMS in North Australia until 1972, Earl from 1956 and Julie from their marriage in 1969. Earl served as chaplain of the Rose River Mission and became rector of the Church of the Holy Spirit from 1970, when the mission became known as Numbulwar. Later he and Julie ministered in Irian Jaya (Indonesia) until 1982. They were chaplains and linguists with the Nggem tribe at Kobakma, and did initial work translating the New Testament into the local language. We ask God to bless Julie and the extended family.
February 2024
Giving thanks: Betty Leske
We praise God for the life and ministry of Betty Leske, who went to be with Christ on 17 February, aged 95. Betty and Percy (who went to be with the Lord in 2021), served with CMS in North Australia for 31 years, Percy from 1951, and Betty from their marriage in 1953. During this time, they lived in Roper River (now Ngukurr), Darwin and Numbulwar, with Percy working as a Superintendent before becoming an ordained Anglican minister. They concluded their service with CMS in 1983. In their retirement, Betty and Percy continued to serve parishes with BCA in North West Australia. We pray for Betty’s children, Ruth, Helen, Graeme and Kathryn, and other family members as they grieve.
March 2024
Giving thanks: June Pearce
We thank God for the life and witness of June Pearce, who passed on to glory on 1 March, aged 87. As a teenager, June felt God’s calling for her to serve him in cross-cultural mission. In 1962, she married Ray (who had been serving with CMS since 1960), and together they served as teachers in North Borneo. They returned to Melbourne in 1971. Ray served as the CMS Home Secretary, and June served as the Deputy Chairperson and Federal Council Representative on the Branch Council for CMS VIC, before becoming the Honorary Women’s Secretary. In this role, June went on several pastoral visits to the Northern Territory and overseas. Ray and June continued their service as missionaries in Tanzania from 1992-97. Ray died in August 2022. We praise God for June’s faith, life and salvation, and pray for her family in their grief.
