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Tasmanian Anglican

December 2003

 

 

 

 

 

 


Canon Des and Mrs Joan Tyson after receiving presentations at Holy Trinity, Launceston

 

Congratulations to
Canon Des Tyson, OAM

by Warwick Letchford

 

 

There was a mixed reaction of sadness and congratulations when Canon Des Tyson announced that when he had celebrated the 60th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood on 18 October this year, he would not be officiating at any more services.

Congratulations on reaching this great moment of the 60th came from inside and outside the church. There were special celebrations in two parishes with which Des had had close association: Launceston South and Holy Trinity.

Des celebrated at St Mark's on the day after the anniversary, Sunday 19 October, at a Eucharist in which special thanks were given for his ministry. The preacher Archdeacon Emeritus Ian Booth, took as his text the vision that opens the Book of Ezekiel. The vision includes a picture of living creatures serving God. 'Under their wings on four sides they had human hands.' The vision reminded Archdeacon Booth of the quality of Des Tyson's service of the Lord, service that was always inspired by his closeness to God in prayer.

Crystal clear

He noted that Des served the Lord by serving people, not only in the full-time parish ministry, but also in the wider life of the Diocese of Tasmania in his active participation in Synod and Diocesan Council. When he attended the Anglican World Congress in Toronto he was fired with enthusiasm for the concept of MRI: 'Mutual Responsibility and Inter-dependence in the Body of Christ.' He wrote a study book on the message of Toronto that was used throughout the Diocese.

The courageous forthrightness of Canon Des reminded Archdeacon Booth of the description that Bishop George Bell of Chichester gave of Dietrich Bonhoeffer: 'He was crystal clear in his convictions and he saw the truth and stated it with a complete absence of fear.' The wings of the cherubim reminded him of the eagerness with which Des gave God's messages; their hands reminded him of Canon Tyson's hands used in blessing and service.

Special interest

Many at the Eucharist were members of the parish when Des led the planning and building of the Church of St Mark, along with many who had been baptised and prepared for Confirmation by him, and many whose marriages he celebrated.

Afterwards there were speeches of congratulation, including one from Michael Wheldon, who spoke on behalf of various service groups, and one from Janie Dickinson, Mayor of Launceston.

At Holy Trinity Church special mention was made of Canon Des' gifts in preaching and broadcasting, in his visionary administration of the Parish of Launceston South, and in his care and encouragement of the clergy in his role as Rural Dean of Launceston. At both churches Canon Des was presented with books on his special interest, Australian history.