A Celebration of Life

 

The Very Revd Dr William James Gilmour McDonald
3 June 1924 – 9 December 2015

 
The Very Revd Dr W J G McDonald was Minister of Mayfield Church from 1959 to 1992 and Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1989/90.   
 
Bill’s Memorial Service took place at Mayfield Salisbury Parish Church on Friday 8 January, 2016. It was a most joyful occasion attended by more than 350 people, who had come together in admiration and gratitude to celebrate the long and fruitful life of a remarkable man. An excellent photograph of Bill took pride of place in the chancel, bringing remembrance of his much loved presence to the forefront of many minds.
 
The service was conducted by the minister of Mayfield Salisbury, Revd Scott S McKenna, who led the prayers and whose thoughtful, moving address of welcome can be read here.

The hymns were ones which had been among Bill’s favourites: Great is Thy faithfullness, Thou art before me (Psalm 139) and The Saviour died, but rose again (Scottish Paraphrase 48). The Bible readings too were his choice: 1 Corinthians 15:35-44, 58 (NRSV) and1 John 4:7-11 (AV).

A recollection was given by Revd Professor David Fergusson, Principal of New College, University of Edinburgh, who had known Bill well for many years, having been a student minister at Mayfield during Bill’s ministry. David’s words can be read here.

As well as a minister, scholar, jazz lover and keen walker who gloried in the natural world, Bill was also a great-grandfather, grandfather, father and husband, who took great pleasure and joy in his family. The congregation were thus treated to three delightful tributes full of family memories from Sheena, Roddy and Alison McDonald. Alison ended her tribute with words which she felt encompassed so much of who her father was:  ‘Another Everyday Poem’ by Mary Oliver .


At the close of the service everyone was invited to the halls for refreshments: an extremely convivial occasion where reminiscences were exchanged and many old links between people who knew Bill in so many different ways and walks of life were re-established.