Tribute to Arthur Fielding 10/09/24
What a privilege to be asked to give the Church tribute to this wonderful man – Arthur Fielding. How do you sum up 0ver 60 years of service in a few minutes?
Blenheim got to know Arthur in the 1960s. Arthur was a Methodist and attended the Industrial Mission after his and Wendy’s return from his work place in Africa. Wendy was amember of Blenheim. With the birth of Mark and HelenArthur moved his membership to Blenheim.
Having been a local preacher in the Methodist circuit he soon became involved in various groups including the Young Marrieds, later known as the Roundabouts. Although this was a social activity group. One of the members of that group told me that Arthur insisted that it had a Christian focus. It was a thriving group for many years. Arthur became a deacon, a post he held for many years. An anomaly in those days as he had been baptised and confirmed in the Methodist church.
Alongside side this he held various other posts – Sunday School teacher – senior department (those days when we had at least 4 departments), later became Sunday School superintendent. Our present children’s leader says she remembers him as bit scary when she was in Sunday School! He also held the post of church treasure for a few years, and continued in finance area being responsible for collecting the Gift Aid from the taxman! He also lent his expertise to the Fabric committee responsible for our buildings. In all of these areas Arthur’s commitment, stickler for detail and accuracy, but most of all his wisdom were of great value to the fellowship.
Prayer meetings and home groups were a large feature of church life. Arthur’s leadership in both these areas were of great value to us all. His strong faith and knowledge of the Bible brought depth, thoughtfulness and understanding to all involved in these groups.
I was involved in a number of these meetings with Arthur including the deacons meetings and church meetings. Sometimes he would sit through most of a meeting in silence. Towards the end of the meeting he would share his carefully thought out ideas. His ability to absorb the various ideas and bring his own wisdom to this was something I found most amazing about him. A very wise man who knew the importance of listening!
Arthur had a wide interest in matters to do with justice and social care. He was a member of Amnesty International and often brough issues to our attention for prayer or action. He was a founder member of Luton Churches Housing (now known as Housing and Community Living) – providing accommodation for those who had been made homeless. He was also a keen supporter of Christian Aid and the World Development – again at our monthly lunches he would bring situations of concern to our notice.
Fairness and justice were the rules Arthur lived by – all governed by his deep faith in Jesus as his Lord and Saviour.
In later years when he had to step back from active service, he continued to show deep interest in the pathway we were treading to becaom the Olive Tree Church – again his attention to detail kept us on our toes! But to those of us in leadership role he was always encouraging, supportive and grateful.
When Arthur wasn’t able to attend for a while pastoral visiting was a delight. He never wanted to talk about himself. He wanted to know what was going on at church, what decisions had been made and what were we gong to do about this that and the other. He also wanted to know how various folk were.
To me, and along with several others, he was a role model. My Christian journey was influenced greatly by these saints – of which Arthur was one. His commitment to service and his faithfulness to his Lord, showed me what wisdom is – not just knowledge but wanting the greater good for the Gospel and our witness.
In all of this he was faithfully supported by Wendy who played a very quiet but very large part in all of what he did.
We shall miss him greatly, his presence was felt till the end. But I know when he reached the gates of heaven God would say – “Well done my good and trusted servant.”
Rest in peace dear Arthur. We are all the better for having known you.
Elaine Sharpe: for The Olive Tree Church, Luton