| 1997 9 Jul |
The passing of Ronald James Parsons (b. 8 May, 1926, Moose Jaw, SK).
Mr Parsons had been an ordained minister of the United Church of Canada. He first learned of the Faith in Ear Falls, Ontario in 1960 from Carol and David Bowie while assigned to nearby Red Lake. His next church assignment was in Strathmore, Alberta where the Bowies referred him to Lily-Ann Irwin who nurtured him into the Faith. [Spring 1961]
He served on the National Spiritual Assembly from 1964 to 1970 and again from 1971 to 1974. He was a member of several Local Assemblies and served on the Auxiliary Board throughout the 1970's and 80's.
The June 1961 issue of Canadian Bahá'í News reported that he resigned from the United Church of Canada and declared his faith in Bahá'u'lláh. [CBN No 137 June 1961 p11]
See [CBN No 143 December 1961 p8] for the loving message he sent to his fellow clergy concerning his decision to leave the church.
After resigning from the ministry he enrolled in university to train for his new vocation, teaching. He served as a vice-principal and a principal.
In 1949 he married Rita Olive Blake and together they raised four children. [BW1997-98p276-277] iiiii
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Ron Parsons; In Memoriam; Rita Parsons; Moose Jaw, SK; Claresholm, AB |
first Christian minister to resign to become a Bahá'í |
Canada