Bob; Rev Bob Warrick, a significant mentor of mine in my young adult days, many decades ago I confess, passed away recently. He was an inspiration of Christian faith, faithfulness, discipleship, inclusion and encouragement to so many others.
My connection with Bob was through children’s ministry in my home state of Queensland, through the young UCA’s formative-for-so-many camping ministry. My ministry journey down the decades, including the songwriting aspect of that, owes Bob such a huge sense of gratitude.
Bob would always conclude his letters (and PC’s and Mac’s were just emerging) with the sign-off of shalom. It’s the Hebrew word narrowly understood as peace, but more broadly; denoting wholeness, harmony, well-being. Bob just lived shalom. We may well know people who have that effect on others. Bob certainly did, and I’m the better for it. The Arabic of shalom is the similar salaam.
My wife Dale and I were invited to sing and share at Bob’s service. None of my songs written down over the years quite seemed to suit.
In memory of Bob, but mindful that amid the horror and angst and so much more of the ongoing Israel-Hamas-Palestine dilemma, I was impacted how Jew, Christian and Arab alike, all speak and sing of peace. They all understand this peace-salaam-shalom as a seeking and a blessing of wholeness, harmony and well-being.
My prayer, as daily I/we/the world ponders, prays, weeps over the Israel-Hamas-Palestine dilemma, praying for peace; we too will be people of wholeness, harmony and well-being. So, as is my want, I wrote a blessing song for the occasion called Peace, Salaam, Shalom in honour of Bob. https://youtu.be/4DbX5UVjFjs
God’s peace be yours
salaam, shalom
No matter what the road you’re on
God’s peace be yours
salaam, shalom
We dare look up and carry on
God’s peace be yours,
salaam, shalom
God’s peace be yours,
salaam, shalom
A peace that God as love can give
So, peace be yours,
salaam, shalom
On Bob’s shoulders. Sunshine Coast, Qld 1978
Peace be yours
salaam, shalom David MacGregor © 2025 Willow Publishing
Shalom,
David
MacGregor (Rev)
CMLA Board Member