PEARSONS, Edward (Ted) R, Very Rev (1936-2008)
Assembly memorial minute, 2008
Very Rev Edward Ross Pearsons was born on 9th December 1936. Ted grew up as a young man in the parish of Woodville, South Australia, married the minister’s daughter (Margaret) and found himself asking the minister about a call to ministry. While studying for the ministry he was employed as Home Missionary in various churches in South Australia and Victoria. Then, following ordination he served as minister of Streathem and later Cheltenham.
Most notably was his 31 years ministry at Gardenvale East. Not only a parish minister but then, at the critical juncture of the emergence of the Uniting Church, he was elected as this General Assembly's first post-union Clerk and remained so for about 30 years.
Ted Pearsons was also Moderator of this General Assembly (1982) as well as Clerk and then Moderator-General of the General Assembly of Australia (1985 - 1988).
In later years, we remember Ted Pearsons for his shock of white hair, a smiling face and sparkling eyes, flashes of humour and ready-wit. Very Rev Edward Ross Pearsons OAM died on the 2nd May this year. He gave long and loyal service in the cause of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria and of this General Assembly in particular. We are grateful for his astute and courageous leadership of the church through difficult times. We shall miss his insightful and generous advice that was always available, and his wit, wisdom and kindness.
Gender
- Male