A tribute compiled by Anglican Media

Originally published in 1993 by Anglican Media Melbourne and reproduced here with permission:
http://www.melbourne.anglican.com.au/

It is my privilege to speak of Frank Woods for a few minutes as I knew him, while we all continue to think of him each with his or her own memories, and give thanks to God.

I first became aware of Frank Woods almost 60 years ago when he was chaplain of Trinity College, Cambridge; his youngest brother was a close friend and Frank was one of the college chaplains who gave unfailing support to the Student Christian Movement, where Christians from a variety of church backgrounds learnt to recognise each other, and learnt much about the message and mission of Christ and his Church in the world.

It was therefore no surprise when years later in Melbourne and Australia we knew Frank Woods as a leader in the ecumenical movement in this state and in the Australian and World Council of Churches. He taught us all that you must recognise in the other man or woman, one whom God has recognised, that you must rejoice that Christ has called into his service men and women of diverse races and traditions, that in the gift of the Holy Spirit we all belong to the one family of God. In Australia he inaugurated a new era of better relations between the Anglican Church and the Church of Rome, beginning with his call on Archbishop Mannix soon after his arrival; and I often thought that he understood better than some of us did what we were trying to do in bringing three churches together in the Uniting Church. Like many of us he regretted that the Anglican Church was not a party in those discussions, although thanks to his initiative we had Anglican observers throughout.

My second picture is of Frank as senior chaplain to the British Army in Northern Ireland at the end of World War II. Our closer friendship dates from then, now almost 50 years ago. We saw much of him in our home. He even came from time to time to hear me preach, a singular act of friendship. He persuaded me to join with him in conducting some Bible studies for the chaplains of all denominations stationed in that area. We were required to work from the text of the Bible alone, for the chaplain on active service might only have two books with him, a New Testament, preferably but not necessarily in Greek, and his prayer book.

It was therefore no surprise to me when we met again in Melbourne to find in Frank Woods a strong supporter for better theological education for the clergy and for better instructed people. Nor was it a surprise to see him present at schools of theology, humbly learning afresh truths in which his life was deeply embedded.

My third picture is of Frank Woods, companion, friend and pastor; entertaining companion whose company was enjoyed by so many and who was so readily accepted by young people; loyal friend; and pastor. The instances are too many and, in some ways, too intimate to recount. Wherever you went, whatever you were asked to do, you knew that Frank was encouraging you and supporting you with his prayers. He once gave me a book which he had read with some satisfaction, entitled The Shadow of the Galilean. He lived his life in the shadow cast on our ways by that Galilean, Jesus of Nazareth; or it might be better to say, in the light cast on our ways by that same Jesus, and he in turn shed light on our ways. He stood on the Christ-ward side of our lives.

I last saw him not much more than 24 hours before he died. As I came away I reflected that the next day would be Advent Sunday; and I remembered the opening words of a great sermon I had heard on Advent Sunday 26 years ago in a church in Heidelberg in Germany: "God would make a new beginning with you; and would have you make a new beginning with him. That is the message of Advent."

Thank God, that message was fulfilled in the life of Frank Woods last Sunday.

Dr Davis McCaughey
former Governor of Victoria