Pastoral Note - Rev Clarence Hore

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

It is with deep sadness that I that I write to share the news of the death of Rev Clarence “Clarrie” Hore on Monday 18 December, 2017. At 101 years of age, Clarrie was our most senior minister.

Beginning his association with the Methodist churches at Alford and Balaklava, Clarrie began preaching at Erith Methodist Church in the mid-north of South Australia and received his accreditation as a Lay Preacher in 1934. He was clearly very involved with church life.

While working for BHP in Whyalla he held most of the offices open to a lay person in the Methodist Church, helping to organise the Order of Knights and becoming the first Knight Commander and the first Lay Superintendent of the Donaldson Terrace Sunday School.

Clarrie offered himself as a candidate for the Ministry at the Methodist Conference in 1945. After spending two years in training at Wesley College, Clarrie went to Kangaroo Island for his last Christmas vacation appointment, and stayed for sixteen months. His probation was served at Kangaroo Island, Glanville (Semaphore) and Wudinna.

Clarrie was ordained in 1950, after which he served at Cleve (1950-53), Summertown (1954-57), West Croydon (1958-61), Campbelltown (1962-65), Gawler West (1967-71), Burra (1972-75), Maitland (1976-80), and finally at Prospect in 1981. He retired in 1982.

During his service, Clarrie’s pastoral ministry was empowered by his gifts of kindness and gentleness. He enjoyed preaching and every aspect of the ministerial life. He was supported by his wife, Elsie, whose leadership alongside Clarrie enhanced ministry among families and church groups. Their combined passion for social justice and evangelism gave them a very fruitful ministry. (Read more about Clarrie’s ministry in the New Times article here, which was published to celebrate his 100th birthday.)

With them in this life of faithful ministry have been their five children – Graham, Roslyn, John, Coralie and Jenny. We pray for them and for Clarrie’s 12 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren, as they grieve this loss.

Clarrie’s funeral will be held at the Torrens Valley Christian Centre (1323 North East Road, Tea Tree Gully) this Saturday 23 December at 10am.

Grace and peace,

Rev Sue Ellis

Moderator
Uniting Church SA