Tribute service to John: a soldier of Christ
2008: Well over 500 people attended a service at
Catton Grove Primary School, Norwich, to celebrate the life of
John Breeze “a soldier in Christ” on January 13.
The service commenced with the Catton Community choir. John’s wife Pearl then welcomed the congregation and asked that they use the service as an act of worship not to John, who died on December 26 aged 71, but to God.
The service was hosted by Ian Savory and Darren Woodward of Oak Grove Chapel, where John was a member and former leader.
Hymns were interspersed with personal memories, thoughts and tributes from family, friends and colleagues, including Radio Norfolk, Good News for Norwich and Oak Grove Chapel, tracing the story of John’s life, work and service supplemented by a powerpoint of pictures.
The final batch of tributes were firstly from John’s grandchildren who testified to how he spoilt them, not with money or things but with the time he spent with them making and repairing things and how he would spend time teaching them and sharing his wealth of knowledge about subjects such as the stars.
Pearl, and John’s two daughters
Joy and
Alison then shared from John’s recently written book entitled “
Towards Tomorrow – Meditations for the new year” which they felt was prophetic in its content. The book begins: “The new year approaches! With it comes hopes and dreams that things will be different. New. There will be new opportunities for development, new growth and new avenues for service or ministry.”
The chapters are entitled, Facing the Future, There’s a life to live, You’ve got to get your feet wet, Integrity is the name of the game, The value of memory. Copies of the book can be ordered from the Oak Grove Church Office at £2 each + 50p (P&P)
Finally Ian Savory, Senior Pastor of Oak Grove Chapel, gave his tribute to John, heralding him as “a Secure Leader”, “someone who embraced change as God’s great adventure” and a real man of and for the community of Catton Grove.
The service was followed by refreshments and then a prayer of commendation was given before releasing many helium balloons with prayers from the children who attended the service attached to them.
If anyone wants to give donations in memory of John, the family ask you to consider giving to Oak Grove Chapel’s Building Fund for their new building as this was very close to John’s heart. Please make cheques payable to “The Oak Grove Trust” and send them to 70 Catton Grove Road, Norwich, NR3 3NT.
See online tributes to John
Pictured above is John with his close family at a recent birthday celebration.