Philip Clarkson-Webb
– former Green Christian Prayer Diary Compiler – funeral Tue 23 July.
We are sad to hear of the death on 22 June of Green Christian member Philip Clarkson-Webb, aged 94.
Philip started producing the Green Christian Prayer Guide in July 1990 (Then called Christian Ecology Link A Prayer Guide for the Care of Creation). He found a local printer friend to help him print/photocopy them and distributed them himself by post each month.
In November 2001 We started putting the prayer guides on the old Christian Ecology Link Website in addition to his paper copies. In September 2010 we started putting them on the new Green Christian website where past editions back to 2010 can be seen here and encouraged people to receive them online.
In September 2019 he finally stepped down. Deborah Tomkins Green Christian Co-chair wrote
“Philip Clarkson-Webb has compiled our much-appreciated monthly Prayer Diary for 29 years. He started in July 1990 on retirement from teaching. He is now stepping down and this September’s Prayer Diary (2019) will be his last. We are hugely indebted to Philip for his dedicated service. We are also most grateful to Emma King who will now be compiling the diary in addition to sending it out each month. (Deborah Tomkins, Green Christian Co-Chair.)”
The guide continues in a similar format with facts and issues to be prayed about on weekdays and a prayer on the Sunday, now written by Emma.
In October 2008 he hit the headlines in the Telegraph, Daily Mail and local Newspapers with:-
“Police confiscate walking stick from retired teacher, 78, because it is an ‘offensive weapon'”
He had attended a seminar at the Climate Camp at Kingsnorth on trade energy quotas. The police had confiscated his walking stick – and then proceeded to lose it.
George Dow, Green Christian co-chair this week said “Philip was such a kind, humble and gentle man. I recall being honoured to meet him on one occasion many years ago at the home of the Echlins.
He provided an innovative and inspirational service to CEL / Green Christian over what must be over 30 years, leaving a great legacy of daily prayer for Emma to carry on and which is so important in what we offer to members and those who aren’t members, joining the dots between spirituality and topical and ever-changing green events across the world.”
Paul Bodenham (former Chair of Green Christian) said: “I didn’t have much contact with Philip, but the hours he put in over decades on the prayer guide must have been immense. For all he gave, nourishing the conscience of GC and its members, he resolutely avoided the limelight. Truly one of GC’s unsung heroes.
The announcement in the Telegraph says:
Philip died peacefully, aged 94, on 22nd June after an accident at home. He lived a life dedicated to teaching, plants and the planet, and was dearly loved by all his family. Funeral at St Thomas Church, Southborough, TN4 0SH, on Tuesday 23rd July at 1 p.m. Family flowers only. Donations to the hospice where he volunteered. https://www.hospiceintheweald.org.uk/donate/
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The service will be live-streamed and anyone who knew him who would like the link should contact secretary@greenchristian.org.uk
Comments on "Philip Clarkson-Webb"
Michael Satchwell:
We miss Philip at our church and continue to pray for our planet.
Ruth Jarman:
Ah how beautiful and so fitting.
Michael Clarkson Webb:
Thank you so much for this obituary; my brother combined his deep christianity with his love of the universe. Only a few months before his death he planted a tree in his parish churchyard where we shall bury his ashes. Michael Clarkson Webb
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