The NCCA notes with sadness the death of Rev Dr John Garrett on 29 April 2011 aged 90 years. John served both the Congregational Union of Australia and the Uniting Church in Australia. He made a tremendous contribution to ecumenism representing the Congregational Union at the 1948 World Council of Churches (WCC) Assembly in Amsterdam.

John served as the first full time General Secretary of the Australian Council of Churches (1948 - 1954). John then served the WCC as Director of Communications based in Geneva (1954-60). Upon returning to Australia he was appointed Principal of Camden Theological College.

John served in the Pacific and particularly in Fiji his writings offer great insight into the tensions and mission of the church.

John was much loved and will be greatly missed by his family and friends. We give thanks to God for his life and ministry. May he rest in God's grace and peace.