Ascension : News From The Grotto - Thought For The Week
Submitted by The Islander (Shari Parkhill) 04.11.2010 (Article Archived on 18.11.2010)

This week, we prepare to say good-bye to a couple of special Islanders. Canon Clive Duncan is retiring and returning to St. Helena.

 This early retirement was brought about by a medical challenge that Father Clive is facing.  And while he is leaving his friends on Ascension behind, he must know that he takes all our love and best wishes with him on his new journey.

Father Clive has been an inspiration and a source of support over my years on Ascension.  I have to thank him for all his help and advice.  He has helped me with memorial services, and was there for me during one of the darkest periods of my life, when tragedy struck my daughter’s family.  He officiated at the memorial service held in honour of Maggie’s brother-in-law Jason Porter, and her niece Hannah, and nephew Jack, who were lost in a tragic car accident a year and a half ago.  His words were comforting, and his reminders that they were all now in God’s company helped to ease my pain.

I have seen Father Clive share his faith and his comfort at church services and at the hospital when tragedy has struck our Ascension family.  I have been in attendance at christenings, when he has welcomed a new soul into our Christian family.  And I have witnessed his comforting presence during funerals, when we said goodbye.  He was born to be a man of God.  And we on Ascension have been blessed and privileged that he has served here.  We know that it was special to him as well, to be able to minister to so many of his countrymen.

Now it is Father Clive’s turn to return home, and be ministered to by those who love him.  We will miss his quiet sense of humour, and of course, we will miss Jenny’s more boisterous personality!  You have both been such an important part of this island, and you will be missed by so many.  You leave Ascension with all our blessings.

Stedson Stroud is also leaving on this week’s ship.  He is off to take on yet another challenge.  Stedson’s love for both St. Helena and Ascension has resulted in the conservation of endemic plants, and so much more important work.  He has gone to perilous lengths to discover and protect these endangered plants.  Believe me, I know!

He has done so much more for Ascension Island.  And he has always been a source of advice, knowledge and help with my many interests.  He shared the stories of his time working as a young man at the NASA site for my booklet.  He has answered countless questions about heritage sites around the island.  He has encouraged my work with the Heritage Society, and has faith that I will find historical treasures still hiding in the tangle of ginger and guava on Green Mountain.

Stedson has also taken me on some of the hikes I will remember most.  Our expedition to Boatswain Bird is one neither of us will forget, I think!  Who could forget someone sliding down a scree slope, causing an avalanche, hollering in terror, but never forgetting to count spurge!

So, this week, as we say goodbye to dear friends, let us remember to give thanks for the blessings that they have given us.  Canon Clive, our prayers for your return to health sail with you.  Jenny, we know you will be by his side, cheering him with your infectious good humour.  Stedson, we wish you luck in your new adventure.  We know that you will give it your best.

We wish safe journeys to these special people.  Thank you for being a part of my life, as well as being so important to the community that is Ascension Island.  We look forward to seeing you all again.  St. Helena is lucky to be having you return.

May God bless us all as our journeys take us in new directions.