UPDATE: Cynthia’s obituary
Cynthia McFarland, one of the most grace-filled, tech savvy leaders in the Episcopal Church has died today. An editor for Anglicans Online and manager of the Bishops and Deputies listserve. According to Lee Crawford, Clergy Deputy from Vermont:
“Cynthia was unfailingly gracious and generous. She was willing to help newbies to web design and managing web sites with patience and understanding. She designed web sites that were attractive, yet easy to manage. Most of all, her voice of equanimity was balm in sometimes heated debates on this list serve. I shall miss her for all these qualities, especially as one who benefited from Cynthia’s knowledge.”
Cynthia was a long time advocate of open communications and use of technology. She served for many years on the Episcopal Church’s Standing Commission on Communication and Information Technology. She was also well known for her historical research:
Tom Rightmyer notes: Her death is a major loss to all who care about the history of American Anglicanism. She recently finished a monograph on John Talbot, the first SPG missionary in New Jersey. She carefully reviewed his family, education, and the report that he had been consecrated by a Non-juror bishop. She was about halfway through what would have been a definitive biography of Bishop Doane.
Her beloved Frederic McFarland died in 2008.
From the Diocese of New Jersey Facebook page:
We mourn the passing of Canon Cynthia McFarland. Bishop Stokes would like to share the following:
“I am sad to announce that, after extended illness, Canon Cynthia McFarland, longtime Communications Director, Historiographer and Archivist of the Diocese of New Jersey, and active leader in the wider Episcopal Church died today at Virtua Hospital in Mount Holly, New Jersey.
Details of service arrangements will be provided as they become available.
Into your hands. O merciful Savior, we commend your servant Cynthia. Acknowledge we humbly beseech you a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive her into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.
May her soul and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”