VIII. LET US REMEMBER Reverend Wesley H. Allen
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298 - LET US REMEMBER VIII. LET US REMEMBER Unless otherwise noted, these remembrances were prepared from the Let Us Remember notices and published obituaries. A. MEMOIRS Reverend Wesley H. Allen April 28, 1929 – June 10, 2017 Wesley was born in Brockton, MA on April 28, 1929, Wesley was the son of the late J. Howard and Gladys J. (Gray) Allen. He was educated in Brockton and graduated from DePauw University in Indiana and from Boston University School of Theology, where he earned a master of divinity degree. Rev. Allen served for over 50 years in ministry. He served several churches in the New England Conference and joined the New York Conference in 1961. In New York, Rev. Allen served First UMC in Newburgh, Morsemere in Yonkers, St. Mark’s in Staten Island, Roslyn, UM Church of Richmond Hill, and Ozone Park Community UMC. From 1981 until his retirement in 1994 he served as Field Representative in the Office of Finance and Field Services at the General Board of Global Ministries. Wesley was an active member of the Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Decedents, Plymouth Plantation and the Massachusetts Audubon Society. He was the beloved husband of the late Mary (Sullivan) Allen and the loving father of Rev. Nancy Allen of Spencer, MA, Joy Cullen and her husband, Fred, of Elizabeth, PA, and Barbara Schmidt and her husband, Doug, of Warsaw, NY. He is also survived by a sister, Ruth Fowler and her husband, Robert, of Framingham, MA. He was the stepfather of Clifford S. Tinder, Cescily T. Schurhamer and the late Sidney Tinder. He was the cherished grandfather of five and great-grandfather of six, and is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins. A celebration of Rev. Allen’s life was held on Thursday, June 15, 2017 at the Plymouth United Methodist Church, 29 Carver Rd. Plymouth, MA. There will be a private burial in Chiltonville Cemetery. Memorial donations in his name may be made to: Plymouth United Methodist Church; the Chiltonville Congregational Church, 6 River St., Plymouth, MA 02360; or the Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Decedents, 175 Derby St., #13, Hingham, MA 02043. MEMOIRS 2018 NEW YORK Annual CONFEREncE - 299 Reverend Birchfield Aymer November 1, 1943 – April 4, 2018 Birchfield Charlesworth Preston Aymer was born on November 1, 1943 in St John’s, Antigua, the youngest of six children of John and Millanette Aymer. He grew up in Ebenezer Methodist Church in St. John’s, and was educated at the St John’s Boys School and the Antigua Grammar School. He became a candidate for ministry in 1967, was accepted by the Synod in that same year and entered the United Theological College of the West Indies (UTCWI), in Kingston, Jamaica. He graduated from UTCWI with the approved professional qualification at that time of licentiate in theology (LTh) and entered service of the Methodist Church as a fully qualified minister of religion of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas. He served as a Methodist minister throughout the Caribbean, notably in the British Virgin Islands and the Netherlands Antilles. In 1978 he traveled to the United States to pursue studies at Boston University, from which he received a master’s degree in theological studies (magna cum laude) and a PhD in New Testament studies and Christian origins. Beginning in 1982 he served several United Methodist churches in New England, including Swampscott, Marshfield and Milton, MA. During this time he also became the honorary consul in New England for Antigua and Barbuda. In the year 2000, Rev. Dr. Aymer accepted an invitation from the New York Conference to become senior pastor for Salem UMC in Harlem, where he served for six years. While at Salem he successfully spearheaded the construction of a housing project for underprivileged communities and saw the first of these buildings (called “Salem House”) completed and occupied by low to moderate income families of Harlem. On May 29, 2006 Rev. Dr. Aymer suffered a massive stroke which left him disabled and led to his early retirement. After moving back to his native Antigua, he continued to dedicate his life to ministry. Rev. Dr. Aymer participated in the worship life of Ebenezer Methodist Church (the principal Methodist church on the island), trained local preachers and held weekly Bible Study sessions for congregants. Rev. Dr. Birchfield Charlesworth Preston Aymer, died on April 4, 2018 on the island of Antigua from an aneurysm. He is survived by his wife, Jean, as well as his children, Elise and Birchfield, Jr.; his stepchildren, Tammy and Rohan; his grandchildren, Laurel US REMEMBER LET and Mariam; his step-grandson, Tristan; his siblings; and numerous nieces and nephews. His funeral service, beginning with tributes, took place on April 19th, 2018 at Ebenezer Methodist Church in St. John’s, Antigua. A Memorial Service for Rev. Dr. Birchfield Aymer was held Saturday, June 16, 2018 at Salem United Methodist Church 2190 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Boulevard New York, NY. Submitted by the family 300 - LET US REMEMBER Reverend Philip A.C. Clarke May 13, 1929 – February 13, 2018 Philip A. C. Clarke was born on May 13, 1929, the son of Rev. Fred Clarke and Marjorie Hall Clarke of Leeds, England and Gloversville, NY. He was a graduate of Gloversville High School, Middlebury College in Middlebury, VT, and Boston University School of Theology. He also studied theology in Edinburgh, Scotland. His first assignment in 1955 was as the associate pastor of Scotia Methodist Church in Scotia, NY in the Troy Annual Conference. He served there for a year and a half before joining the New York Conference to serve at Park Avenue United Methodist Church in New York City. He served there for 43 years from December 1, 1956 until his retirement June 30, 1999, 43 years of extraordinary, faithful ministry. During his tenure, Park Avenue grew to become one of the most vital, progressive, and welcoming congregations in the New York Conference. His ministry and leadership influences continue to inspire. In 2003, Park Avenue United Methodist Church voted to invest Rev. Clarke with the honorary office of “Pastor Emeritus.” He graciously accepted the office noting that he had been “out of the game” for 5 years. He is survived by his children David Clarke, Catherine Clarke and Caroline Clarke Schack Chakeris. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Sara and John Chakeris; Emma Clarke; and John and Matthew Clarke. He was predeceased by his son Jonathan Clarke. Rev. Philip A. C. Clarke of Cape Elizabeth, ME died on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 in Westbrook, ME. A memorial service for Rev. Clarke was held at Park Avenue United Methodist Church on Saturday, May 19th, 2018. You can continue to make donations in his name to the Park Avenue United Methodist Church, 106 East 86th Street, New York, NY 10028 Reverend Karen Sue Engelman January 5, 1947 – January 10, 2018 Karen was born in Beaver Falls, PA on January 5, 1947. She graduated from high school in Joliet, IL and received her undergraduate degree from Valparaiso University in Indiana. Karen received her master’s degree in divinity from Union Theological Seminary in NYC in 1986. She also had an education administration certification from Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY. Karen taught for 35 years (1967- 2002) as a high school teacher and summer school principal in Smithtown on Long MEMOIRS Island. In 1987, after taking a two-year sabbatical that included three months in Japan doing research, Karen received a doctoral degree in international education from Teachers College, Columbia University. 2018 NEW YORK Annual CONFEREncE - 301 Karen spent a summer in India in the early 1970’s developing curriculum for the New York public schools. She continued sponsoring after-school programs for charities during her high school teaching years, as well as many Japanese exchange programs. Karen was committed to learning and teaching throughout her life for herself and others. She had extraordinary accomplishments in professional education. Karen was ordained a deacon in the New York Conference in 1991, and ordained elder in 2000. Her first appointment with the conference was as the executive administrator at Five Towns Interfaith Clergy. Karen served as associate pastor at Lexington UMC in NYC from 1994 to 1998 while also serving East Side Improvement. She then served as senior pastor at Lexington UMC through 2006. Karen retired from the New York Annual Conference in 2013. Karen loved to travel. Her various trips around the world included Israel, Egypt, Thailand, Japan, China, Europe, India and Burma. She enjoyed cruises and vacationing and went often with her partner Marguerite on special trips to Hawaii and Mexico, among others. Her last cruise was in December 2017 to Key West and the Bahamas. Karen was also a loving provider for her family. Karen’s strong work ethic, perseverance and knowledge were a great example for Marguerite and her children. Her love of cars was great and she tested quite a few. When she turned 69 she went on the Nitro Drag Car in Daytona Beach (75mph in 200 feet). She loved pets and had many small dogs including her Teddy. She led a truly remarkable life of adventure, understanding, passion and teaching. Playful, lovable, humorous and knowledgeable, she will live on in our hearts with fond and everlasting memories. Karen died on Wednesday, January 10, 2018 in DeLand, FL. Karen is survived by her partner of 37 years, Marguerite Jhonson. She is also survived by two step-sons, Emkay Forest (Lara) and JJ Speights (Madrid Cornele), as well as by grandchildren, Ally Rose, Aidan, Amaya, Axel and Benjamin. She also leaves her godchild, Emma Rickert, and her parents, brothers, sisters and many cousins.