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Service of thanksgiving

31 March 2015

On 31 March 2015, General Eva Burrows was remembered, celebrated and farewelled at Melbourne Town Hall.

Dignitaries from around Australia and the world—along with hundreds of everyday people—gathered in the Town Hall, while thousands watched the service live-streamed into offices and homes.

Colonel Peter Walker welcomed the official party, after which Uncle Vince Ross brought the Acknowledgment of Country, saying that The Salvation Army’s General Eva was his people’s Aunty Eva.

Commissioner Floyd Tidd gave a special welcome to General Andre and Commissioner Silvia Cox who had flown in from Myanmar that morning.

Melbourne Staff Band and Melbourne Staff Songsters led and supported the congregational singing of a number of hymns, specially selected by General Eva.

Prayers were brought by Lieut.-Colonels Frank Daniels and Lucille Turfrey, followed by The Right Honourable the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Robert Doyle, speaking with much affection and appreciation of his connection with The Salvation Army and with General Eva in particular.

Commissioner Beth Clinch read from the work of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, reminding those gathered that ‘what is so marvellous [is] that we can transform death.’

Two passages of Scripture had been chosen by General Eva: Exodus 33:12–18 was read by Eva’s nephew John Southwell and 2 Corinthians 4:1–7 by Major Sandra Nottle.

The video tribute that followed, voiced by General Eva herself, brought many to tears, as individuals remembered the impact she had on the lives of people around the world.

Officer and family tributes followed. Major Brendan Nottle, General Eva’s corps officer, brought a personal reflection on the way that General Eva would place a hand on a person’s arm and speak into their life, while Commissioner Brian Morgan spoke of General Eva’s influence across the Army world. 

Brother-in-law Dr. Bram Southwell brought a touching tribute to this much loved family member who had been shared with the world.

In his message, General Andre Cox said that despite his being the current world leader, in his mind Eva Burrows was ‘The General’.

The congregation were reminded that General Eva Burrows was a woman who sought to be like Jesus, to love like Jesus, to serve like Jesus—those who remember her attest that she did just that.

Download a copy of the tribute or the order of service from the Service of Thanksgiving.

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