Dr Frederick (Eric) John Nelson (died August 16, 2016 aged 83)
Obituary by John Nelson (son)
Reverend Dr Eric Nelson of Romanby, North Yorkshire, died peacefully in hospital on 16 August 2016, aged 83 years.
Eric Nelson was born in Belfast in 1933, the son of John and Caroline Nelson, missionaries to Nigeria. His early childhood was spent in Nigeria and he returned to Northern Ireland at the outbreak of WW2. Educated at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution (widely known as “Inst”) Eric proceeded to Queen’s where he graduated with a BA Hons in Classics (1954). He subsequently obtained the higher degree of BD (Bachelor of Divinity) with Advanced New Testament as the Special Subject (1966).
Dr Nelson studied theology at the Presbyterian College, Belfast (now Union College) and spent his second year of ministerial training at Princeton Theological Seminary, New Jersey. He maintained a lasting commitment to continuing education and received the degree of Doctor of Ministry from the New York Theological Seminary (NYTS) in 1985.
Eric Nelson was ordained by the Presbyterian Church in Ireland at Carnlough and Cushendall in August 1957. In 1961 he was called to Argyle Place Presbyterian Church (now West Kirk) on Belfast’s Shankill Road. In 1970 he accepted a call to the Robert Stewart Memorial (RSM) Presbyterian Church of England in Newcastle upon Tyne which entered the United Reformed Church on its formation in 1972. Eric ministered at RSM for 28 years and was involved in numerous initiatives such as pioneering the concept of all age Family worship (the subject of his doctoral thesis), the Dannenberg youth exchanges of the 1980s and work amongst the local Chinese community. For ten years he also took on responsibility for the neighbouring congregations of Benwell and Arthur’s Hill.
He retained a lasting affection for the United States and the various exchange ministries of the 1980s and 90s brought great benefit to the congregations involved. Eric also worked as a hospital chaplain throughout his ministry where he recognised and championed the need for close working relationships with colleagues from other denominations. His service to the wider church included many years as northern regional representative to the National Free Church Federal Council and his strong commitment to peace and reconciliation found expression through foundation of the Northumbria Corrymeela Support Group in 1983.
Following retirement from full-time ministry in 1998 Eric took up a part-time pastorate in Frome, Somerset and following his second “retirement” in 2002, and a move to Northallerton in North Yorkshire, he preached regularly throughout the local Methodist circuit and in URC congregations (including an annual visit to RSM) until May 2016.
Throughout his ministry Eric placed a great emphasis on the place of Joy in the Christian faith. He wanted worship to be bright, enjoyable and meaningful. In his own words (from a sermon preached on this topic in St Louis in 1986): “Where ‘our God reigns’, there is happiness and joy for all”.
Eric shared his ministry with Nanette, his wife of 56 years (they married at West Hartlepool in August 1960). They had three children (John, Dorothy and Elizabeth) and six grandchildren.
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