Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

It is with deep sadness that I write to advise of the death of Rev Jan Murchland on Wednesday, 26th July, 2017.

Jan’s ministry was one of 'lifting up the lowly'. Her ministry began in Naracoorte and Burra where she served as Sunday School superintendent and Elder. In this time she raised a family of two natural born sons and two daughters by Sri Lankan birth with Rob Letcher.

After commencing distance study with Parkin-Wesley College, she became an on-campus student in 1988 and during that time of study felt the call to ordained ministry. She candidated and was ordained by the Presbytery of Frome on Sunday 6th December, 1992. 

Her first placement was to Colonel Light Gardens Parish, where she was an integral part of restructuring and developing the present Colonel Light Gardens church building and congregation. 

Her funeral ministry to Centennial Park was the catalyst for the formation of ‘Wirrabilla’. 'Wirrabilla' was a spiritual space for grieving people not connected to the church, to meet and talk around a weekly time of meditation. Jan flourished in leading retreats and creative spirituality, interacting with people from different walks of life. She acted as Chaplain to the Parkin-Wesley community, staff and students, and her ministry was deeply appreciated by all. During this time she completed her Masters in Ministry.

A satellite community of Wirrabilla was planted by Jan at St Andrew’s by the Sea Uniting Church.  After 10 years in this ministry, Jan became Chaplain to Glenside Hospital.  She believed the people she cared for were the forgotten people on the edge of society, the ones that Jesus spent so much time with. Through her ministry presence, she hoped to make them both visible and affirmed. Although Jan says she often felt like “the person next door who dropped in for a cuppa”, she became a valued friend to many in Glenside Hospital.

Jan retired in 2008. She was a member of the Burnside congregation.  In recent times, she developed dementia and after initially being cared for at home by her family, she moved into Kapara Aged Care last year.  Her love and compassion for people remained evident. She passed away on Wednesday 26th July, 2017 - aged 74 years. 
 
Jan is survived by her husband Max Williams and her children, Tim, Ben, Libby and Anusha. We hold them in prayer in their time of sorrow, and pray they will know the comfort of God.

The funeral service for Rev Jan Murchland will be held at Burnside City Uniting Church on Thursday 3rd August, 2017 at 2pm.

Grace and peace,

Rev Sue Ellis,

Moderator
Uniting Church SA