Tristan : Uncle Ken Rogers - Much Loved and Sadly Missed
Submitted by Tristan Times (Sarah Glass) 29.10.2008 (Article Archived on 12.11.2008)

Ken Rogers passed on to a new life last Thursday.

Photo (c) James Glass - Uncle Ken enjoyed life and was a friend to all he met.

KENNETH ROGERS (1922-2008)

Uncle Ken in his front garden on Tristan

As Christians we are not told to fear the judgement but we are told to be prepared for it; being kind, caring and loving is crucial to that preparation. At the judgement we will not be asked about the great people we have met, or the high positions we have held, or the honors which have been bestowed upon us: At the judgement we will be judged according to our loving – according to how loving we have been in life. This is the teaching of today’s gospel parable. That said: We can have every confidence that Uncle Kenneth is in good hands now. His loving heart and generous spirit; His kindness and gentleness of manner were known to us all.

He was born in February 1922 to William and Agnes Rogers, and it was with the shedding of tears that he shared with me painful memories of his boyhood on this island as the son of faithful Roman Catholics… His dear mother Agnes founded this church … He told me of the hardships and deprivations they endured. Inflicted shamefully and disgracefully by Anglican priests because Kenneth’s family were Roman Catholic. I felt deeply privileged and grateful to Uncle Kenneth when he invited me some time ago to pray with him for the healing of those memories, and by God’s grace, I was given the opportunity to express my deepest sorrow and remorse at all that he and his family had so unjustly suffered but had so bravely borne. I believe, there was given to Kenneth, in that hour an inner light of forgiveness and a healing of the past so that I might be enabled to pray and minister to him at the last in a way which was especially meaningful, respectful, comforting and reassuring to him. For that I am deeply grateful to Kenneth and to our Blessed Lord.

As Christians we believe that death is not the end. It is a gate on the horizon through which we must all pass to the life eternal. Christ’s resurrection assures us that he has won the victory over sin and death. And for those who put their trust and faith in Jesus there is the promise of eternal life. Kenneth was one who truly loved and trusted in Jesus and for whom on this special day with one heart and mind and voice all Christian brothers and sisters on the island can pray: Kenneth may you rest in the peace of Christ and may you rise to share in his resurrection Glory.

                                                                                                            Amen.

Father Christopher Brown.