It is with much sadness that we share the news of Elizabeth Harper’s death after a courageous journey with cancer. Elizabeth was a treasured friend and much-valued colleague, who will always be remembered for her kind-heart, and cheeky sense of humour.
Bishop Ruth said of Elizabeth, “Her warmth, wisdom, insight, teaching and training skills were hugely valued, and we shall miss her so much. It was her deep faith that sustained her, and I know that our greatest tribute to her will be to seek God’s care and compassion for ourselves and one another at this time. “
Elizabeth was born and brought up in New Zealand and moved to the UK in the 1990’s and studied Theology at Trinity Theological College in Bristol. She became a Tutor and Lecturer in Bristol and Cambridge and then joined the team at Bath and Wells in 2018, initially as Lay Ministries Enabler. It is a tribute to Elizabeth’s resilience and sense of calling that even when ill health made it necessary for her to step down from that role, she continued voluntarily as a Sessional Trainer and Small Groups Enabler.
The range of Elizabeth’s influence is broad with her work on Reader and Churchwarden training alongside the development of other lay ministry courses and then more latterly many will have got to know Elizabeth as a Zoom trainer, guiding us all through the complexities of online meetings. Or possibly you were one of those who attended her Hebrew for fun sessions!
Elizabeth often described herself as a Kiwi in the UK who was an Anglican lay woman employed as a theological educator with a passion for enthusing people about the Old Testament. And it was particularly for her gift as an educator that she will be remembered by many in Bath and Wells.
Simon Hill, Archdeacon of Taunton and Warden of Readers says, “Elizabeth was such an advocate of Reader ministry and a reflective and thoughtful theologian. She gave much in the different roles she has held as a Christian educator around the country, including most recently to the Diocese in her years here - essentially heading up Reader ministry for Bath and Wells in her unassuming and deeply learned way. Knowing that she was ill, she still wanted to give all she could in supporting lay ministry and Readers in particular. She prayerfully lived out her own Reader ministry.”
Our thoughts, prayers and love go to Elizabeth’s family, and her many friends. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.