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William PHIPPS

1942 - 2022

William PHIPPS obituary, 1942-2022, Toronto, ON

BORN

1942

DIED

2022

William PHIPPS Obituary

WILLIAM FREDERICK PHIPPS May 4, 1942 - Toronto, Ontario March 4, 2022 - Calgary, Alberta Some journalists called him "prophet in a baseball cap," others dubbed him a controversial Christian. The Very Reverend Dr. William Phipps, an outspoken advocate for Earth and human rights, died peacefully at home on March 4, 2022. William Frederick Allan Phipps was born in Toronto May 4, 1942, the son of Cora Stinson and Reginald Phipps, and brother of Elda. He had a middle-class Toronto upbringing, and he seized every opportunity to grow and learn throughout his life. Bill graduated from Osgoode Law School in 1965, from McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago in 1968, and was ordained by The United Church of Canada in 1969. He used his law degree to help establish the first poverty law office in Canada, but the call of the church became stronger. He served as minister at Thorncliffe United and Trinity-St. Paul's United in Toronto, establishing a reputation for bold leadership in the areas of LGBTQ rights, peace, poverty and homelessness. In 1986, he moved to Edmonton to work in church administration, and there, opportunities to learn from Indigenous peoples arose. He attended The Dene National Assembly in 1987, supported the Lubicon Cree, and travelled the Mackenzie/Dehcho Valley. In 1993, Bill moved to Calgary to become minister at Scarboro United. His work continued to bridge the church and the world. Well into his retirement, he represented the church nationally and internationally in places of conflict, such as The Philippines, Central America, the Middle East, Congo, Sudan, and East Timor. When Bill was elected 36th Moderator of The United Church of Canada in 1997, The Ottawa Citizen published a scathing editorial and subsequent interview criticizing his views on the ordination of gays, Indigenous peoples, economic justice and theology. Bill's responses prompted national conversations and hundreds of interviews about the nature of Jesus, the role of the church in society and a moral economy. Some called him saint; others, a heretic. With Rev. Clint Mooney, he presented Bearing Faithful Witness, a study document on Jewish-Christian relationships at Holy Blossom Temple, Toronto. With Rev. Ted Reeve, he founded Faith and the Common Good, Greening Sacred Spaces and Eco-Commoning. In 1998, on behalf of The United Church, Bill issued the first Canadian Apology to First Nations survivors, their families and communities for the harms done by the church at the 13 residential schools the church helped run. He returned to congregational ministry in 2000, ran for the NDP in 2002, authored Cause for Hope and retired in 2007. He never stopped working, particularly on the climate crisis around which he brought people together in workshops across Canada. Bill loved paddling Algonquin Park, camping, especially on Lake Superior, in the Rockies and Haida Gwaii. He enjoyed a good laugh, too. When Covid struck, he and Carolyn made YouTube videos such as Camping with Old People. He was a great Toronto Blue Jays fan, attended their first game in 1977 and in August 2000 he was delighted to throw out the first pitch. Bill received awards, medals and honourary doctorates, but said his best honour was becoming the grandfather of Kate and Foster Phipps-Chong, Toronto, and Michael and Tristan Van Metre, Yellowknife. He leaves his beloved wife Carolyn Pogue, their children, Sarah Phipps (Don Chong) of Toronto, Jeremy Phipps (Jodi) of Winnipeg and Andrea Czarnecki (Blair Van Metre) of Yellowknife, his sister Elda Thomas of Toronto, as well as family and friends far and wide. An online funeral will be hosted by Hillhurst United at www.hillhurstunited.com on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, at 1:00 p.m, MST. Donations may be made to The United Church of Canada marked "for climate justice."

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Globe and Mail from Mar. 5 to Mar. 9, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for William PHIPPS

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23 Entries

julie richardson

March 27, 2022

to carolyn and family i sang at st george's with lloyd in the youth choir and then at trinity st pauls when bill was the minister and lloyd was the organist in the 70's. it is with my deepest condolences to you and may bill rest in peace.

Diana Cartwright

March 20, 2022

I have wonderful memories of Bill and feel honoured to have worked with him on the Board of Faith and the Common Good. I remember great stories, lots of laughter, humility and real listening from him. I have been saying this prayer for him as he trips light fantastic in the next world. "O Thou Provider, O Thou Forgiver! A noble soul hath ascended unto the Kingdom of reality, and hastened from the mortal world of dust to the realm of everlasting glory. Exalt the station of this recently arrived guest, and attire this long-standing servant with a new and wondrous robe.
O Thou Peerless Lord! Grant Thy forgiveness and tender care so that this soul may be admitted into the retreats of Thy mysteries and may become an intimate companion in the assemblage of splendours. Thou art the Giver, the Bestower, the Ever-Loving. Thou art the Pardoner, the Tender, the Most Powerful."
He was such a wonderful servant to humanity. Much love to you Carolyn and may his strength, love and wisdom keep you going.

Susan Kootnekoff

March 13, 2022

It's a sad day... a tremendous loss. He sure knew how to live life. I´m a lawyer who first met Bill in the mid to late 1990s through social justice work and became a member at Scarboro. Looked forward to his sermons every Sunday. I loved when he´d work in comments about the legal profession. He had the strength of character to speak honestly about his beliefs, and weathered his critics with grace and humility. His compassion and passion for TRUE justice for ALL, especially those who face the biggest hurdles in life, was eternally inspiring. He did so much good in the world and inspired so many, and will continue to do so. Good bye, but never ever forgotten. We can all only dream to leave a fraction of the legacy that he has.

Single Memorial Tree

Donna Krucik

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Lorna Berlinguette

March 8, 2022

I have always been impressed with Bill's stand for right causes and his countless energy. Canada will miss him.
Lorna Berlinguette, Edmonton

Yvan Beaubien & Lorna Jamison

March 8, 2022

We had Bill's support in our social justice work with Central America in the '80s and know of his courageous contributions throughout the years. We will always remember him as a generous and conscientious soul.

Erin Prosser (Calgary)

March 8, 2022

Sending Carolyn and family much love and strength today and in the days ahead.

David Walsh

March 7, 2022

Thanks Bill for all your work for justice over many years.

Kristina Elizabeth Inrig

March 7, 2022

Bill was such an incredible leader and I am better to have known him! In my first encounter with Bill and Faith & the Common Good in 2004, I was truly inspired by his passion and energy for Greening Sacred Spaces and other ways or reimagining our common values for the healing of the earth. Through many retreats, conversations, and projects, I was so inspired to be able to work with Bill and Carolyn. Thank you, Bill, for the deep care and love you brought to everything you did. I will miss you greatly!

Donna and Jim Sinclair

March 7, 2022

Dear Carolyn,

Great sympathy to you and your family. Bill brought such joy into the world. Who else could bring such an amazing sense of social justice to our church, nation and the world - at the same time as he brought laughter and delight to them as well.

We admired him greatly, and - along with so many others - loved him for his kindness and courage. We also loved the two of you together, full of adventure and yet more laughter. It is customary to say a light has gone out in the world, when someone as beloved as Bill dies. But not this time. His light remains, in the family he loved, in the church he loved, and in you.

You have our prayers. They are mostly prayers of gratitude, for both of you.

Much love to you, from Donna and Jim

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Heather, Guy, Abbey, and Sofie

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Dawn Rolke

March 7, 2022

Carolyn and Family,
I am so sad.
Bill was such a bright light: so much fun, so much wisdom. And how he loved you. My love and prayers as you make your way forward. Bill's legacy will be with us always.
Fondly, Dawn Rolke, Winnipeg

Grove of 100 Memorial Trees

Pat and Frank Guenther

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Trevor Harrison

March 7, 2022

I knew Bill for many years in his role as a member of Parkland Institute's board, and saw him at numerous gatherings. Bill's honesty, kindness, wisdom, and good humour came through on every occasion. His passing is a tremendous loss to everyone who believes in a better, more just, and more equal world. My condolences to the entire family. I will miss him.

John and Jean Ecclestone

March 6, 2022

Our sincere condolences to the whole family ... there is no doubt Bill was one of a kind and stood his ground in matters he felt needed his voice. Jean was his secretary at TSP ... he will be missed ...

Lorraine Y. Pawlivsky-Love

March 6, 2022

Thanks to Seth Klein for sharing this lovely man´s love of life and his family as well as our life force - the Earth My deepest condolences to Rev Phipps´ family and friends however know that his presence will be missed by those of us who wished we had the pleasure of meeting him. He will have a tree planted in his honour on a small farm just outside of Sooke on the Westcoast of Vancouver Island.

Jackie Walters

March 5, 2022

I´m so very sorry Carolyn and family. You know he meant so much to so many. I didn´t know him very well, glimpses at Naramata and the odd time in Calgary. But he left an impression. I remember how he made me feel welcome. You did, too. I wish you deep peace, comfort, courage, strength, and guidance as you live life without his physical presence, but always in his love.

mark brown

March 5, 2022

I am going to plant a tree for Bill on the,
Acasta River Memorial Tree Garden

Located on a small Island in the NWT.

I planted a pine for myself.

Tamarack,Spruce...availabe.

Becauce I can,

I'm planting a tree for Mother Terresa,Carl Sagan,Racheal Carlson,Chris Hadfield and Rev.Bill Phipps.
Family always comes first.

Cheers.

Mark.

Shannonbrooke Murphy

March 5, 2022

Carolyn, Sarah and family, Jeremy and family, Elda, Kevin and Edan - I am so sorry for the loss of Bill. He lived his life well, and will be remembered by many of us for his contributions to social justice - a legacy which will endure. My thoughts are with you all at this difficult time.

Janet Yee

March 5, 2022

Very Rev Bill Phipps - one of God's activists.

Audrey Bayens

March 5, 2022

We will miss you dearly Bill :)
Your impact on this Earth was substantial and I am sure she is also grateful for your good work.

Joan Poulin

March 5, 2022

I remember well working on the committee of Canadian Friends of the Jewish-Arab peace village in Israel, Wahat el Salaam-Neve Shalom, with Bill. What a wonderful man! Condolences to Caroline and family!

Rona Altrows

March 5, 2022

Carolyn, condolences to you and your family. He was quite a man.

Showing 1 - 23 of 23 results

Memorial Events
for William PHIPPS

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