(read during the service of thanksgiving for my mother, 16th December 2002).

I count it a privilege to be asked to speak at this service, not just as a _personal_ tribute, but rather on behalf of the Christians who regularly meet here at this Chapel. Today we gather to honour the life and witness of our loved and respected sister in Christ, Sadie Croucher, whom God called home to Himself, peacefully, on Monday last, at the Bethshean Nursing Home. And right now she’s in her _new_, home, absent from the body, at home with the Lord! And reunited with her dear husband Reg, who pre-deceased her, back in December 1994, almost 8 years ago.

Reg and Sadie Croucher were foundation members of this little Assembly Church, here in Oatley. Reg Croucher was one of four men, who, back in 1944, had the vision and foresight to commence in this suburb, a local church witness, an Assembly of Christian Brethren.

They started their meetings in the local Masonic Hall, on the other side of the railway line, in Letitia Street.

When our little family linked up with the Oatley Assembly, they were still meeting in the Masonic Hall. We arrived for the Breaking of Bread meeting, and took our seats in a rather large circle of people., nearly all strange faces, eyeing out these new arrivals. We were a touch apprehensive. But not for long. For as soon as the meeting was finished, a very kind lady came over to us, and said ‘Hello. We are the Crouchers, Reg and Sadie. And welcome to you all!’ What a difference that made!

Because the Assembly met in a hired hall, their mid-week meetings for prayer and Bible Study were held in private homes, including, of course, the Crouchers’ residence at 19 Louisa Street. Many are the happy times we have spent at the Crouchers’, enjoying good fellowship and first class hospitality.

Reg was our Assembly secretary, and Sadie was his ‘right hand man’. They complemented each other perfectly. Reg was more staid, a bit of a mystic perhaps and sometimes hesitant. But Sadie was a person of action, an organiser. A competent managerial secretary by practice, she knew how to get things done. [Departing from script: ‘I remember her tugging at his coat as he gave the announcements, and whispering something into his ear. He then continued: “As our sister here has reminded me…!”‘]. She was methodical, easy to relate to and to get on with, and enthusiastic. Sometimes she would mention something that needed attention, then she would look me in the eye, and say, ‘And what are the elders going to do about _that_?’ A real stirrer, in the nicest sense of the word. She wanted to get things _done_.

Sadie was a _musician_. She loved to play the organ, and to sing along with it, too. And she knew her music. When this new Assembly started in Oatley back in 1944 they adopted two old-style Brethren humn-books: for Sunday mornings ‘Hymns for the Little Flock’ published in 1904, and for the evenings ‘Gospel Tidings’ published as late as 1932! But neither of these books had a corresponding music book – only just the printed words. So Sadie had to help find tunes to fit all the 614 hymns in these two books. And with Sadie’s help and expertise, they found most of them.

Sadie was a tremendous help in the Sunday School. Here, in this Chapel, she regularly taught a class of small girls, week by week, out in the vestibule. I’ve never known a more methodical teacher. Every week, the main points of the Bible story were written up on a poster for all to see, and the points tabulated 1, 2, 3, 4, etc., with reference verses for each point. Young minds received a thorough grounding in the Word of God. As a special treat, she would sometimes invite her class home for tea on a Sunday evening, and back to the Gospel Meeting.

Sunday School Anniversaries were always a special event, with lots of preliminary practising and rehearsing, week after week, with Sadie busy at the piano. And we still use her piano here, the one she kindly donated to the Chapel.

Sadie helped to start a ‘Girls’ Rally’ at this Chapel, where young ones would gather on a week-night to learn arts and crafts, with training in Christian ideals, and Bible lessons.

Both Reg and Sadie always had the welfare of young people at heart. At Christian Youth Camps, up at Mt. Victoria, in the camp’s main Assembly Hall, there is a plaque on the wall, inscribed with the names of those who are ‘Honorary Life Members of Christian Youth Camps.’ The first names listed are ‘Mr and Mrs A. R. Croucher’.

Reg and Sadie had a practical ministry of care and concern. Those who were sick were followed up with a phone call and/or a visit. And when the sick ones were well enough to return to the Church, they were given an official warm welcome back.

Sadie was a member of a ladies’ Bible Study group which met in this Chapel – which group later became an official KYB – ‘Know Your Bible’ – class. Sadie certainly knew _her_ Bible, from cover to cover. She knew it, and she lived it out. Her life and witness have been a blessing and an inspiration to all of us who knew her.

We thank God that Reg and Sadie are now re-united in the presence of the Lord whom they loved and served. They leave behind a host of wonderful memories to cherish, and an example to emulate. In the words of Hebrews 13:7: ‘Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.’

Thanks be to God.

Let us pray [extempore – thanks for this day and for Sadie; thanks for the Saviour; pray for Rowland, Graham, David and families].