Walter H. Farquharson
Encyclopedia
The Very Rev. Walter Henry Farquharson (born 30 May 1936) was Moderator of the United Church of Canada
from 1990-1992. Born near Rosetown, Saskatchewan
, he was educated at the University of Saskatchewan
(BA, 1957) and St Andrew's College in the University of Saskatchewan (BD, 1961). After his ordination in 1960 he did a year of post-graduate study in Edinburgh
, where he was also assistant minister at Morningside
Parish Church
. Returning to Canada he became the minister of the United Church in Saltcoats, Saskatchewan
, where he remained until his retirement, and also, believing that ministry involves the whole of life, an English teacher in the local high school.
He is a noted hymn-writer; three of his hymns were published in The Hymn Book (Anglican and United Churches of Canada, 1971); one of his best-known, "Men go to God when they are sorely placed," a translation of Dietrich Bonhoeffer
's Menschen gehen zu Gott in ihrer Nott, also appeared in The Australian Hymn Book (Anglican, Methodist, Presbyterian, Congregational and Roman Catholic). Voices United, the United Church's successor hymnal to The Hymn Book (1971) contains thirteen Farquharson hymns. The Farquharson/Klusmeier collaboration "Walls That Divide" is sung at worship in churches throughout the world.
Moderator of the United Church of Canada
The Moderator of the United Church of Canada is the presiding leader of the United Church of Canada, Canada's largest Protestant denomination. The church is highly decentralized and non-dogmatic and the moderator has only limited power...
from 1990-1992. Born near Rosetown, Saskatchewan
Rosetown, Saskatchewan
-History:On September 14, 1905, James and Anne Rose migrated from Lancashire, England to an area of Saskatchewan, Canada. They were the first settlers in the area now known as Rosetown. Later, in 1907, a group of people from the area, wanting a post office, made an application for one...
, he was educated at the University of Saskatchewan
University of Saskatchewan
The University of Saskatchewan is a Canadian public research university, founded in 1907, and located on the east side of the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. An "Act to establish and incorporate a University for the Province of Saskatchewan" was passed by the...
(BA, 1957) and St Andrew's College in the University of Saskatchewan (BD, 1961). After his ordination in 1960 he did a year of post-graduate study in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, where he was also assistant minister at Morningside
Morningside
-Places:Morningside may be one of the following place names:Australia*Morningside, QueenslandCanada*Toronto:**Morningside, Toronxto, a neighbourhood in Scarborough**Morningside Avenue , a street in Scarborough...
Parish Church
Parish church
A parish church , in Christianity, is the church which acts as the religious centre of a parish, the basic administrative unit of episcopal churches....
. Returning to Canada he became the minister of the United Church in Saltcoats, Saskatchewan
Saltcoats, Saskatchewan
Saltcoats is a small town in East Central Saskatchewan near the Manitoba border in Canada. The town's population is around 500. The town was built in the late 19th century, and its economy was driven by the railway...
, where he remained until his retirement, and also, believing that ministry involves the whole of life, an English teacher in the local high school.
He is a noted hymn-writer; three of his hymns were published in The Hymn Book (Anglican and United Churches of Canada, 1971); one of his best-known, "Men go to God when they are sorely placed," a translation of Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German Lutheran pastor, theologian and martyr. He was a participant in the German resistance movement against Nazism and a founding member of the Confessing Church. He was involved in plans by members of the Abwehr to assassinate Adolf Hitler...
's Menschen gehen zu Gott in ihrer Nott, also appeared in The Australian Hymn Book (Anglican, Methodist, Presbyterian, Congregational and Roman Catholic). Voices United, the United Church's successor hymnal to The Hymn Book (1971) contains thirteen Farquharson hymns. The Farquharson/Klusmeier collaboration "Walls That Divide" is sung at worship in churches throughout the world.