The following is a brief description of Reverend Jean's life and time with
us on the earth plane and her dedication in spreading and sharing her
knowledge, and building a strong fellowship that sees us where we are today,
at the Centre Christian Spiritualist Church.
Edith Jean Saunders was born on 30 April 1914, to parents Sidney and Ruby
Burns, in a small cottage located near the seventh furlong of the Belmont
Racecourse, an inner suburb of Perth, Western Australia. The small cottage was
the family home provided as part of Sidney's employment as a gardener at the
Belmont Racecourse.
It was not an easy entry into the world for Edith Jean, a difficult home
birth was very much touch and go for some time. Destiny had it, that God had
greater plans for Jean, she was blessed with the breath of life.
Jean had one older sister, Theodisa Eliza (born 28 October 1910 - passed
away late 1917), and one brother, Arthur Ruben (born 21 February 1925).
Jean's association with Spiritualism and religion commenced at a very early
age, attending church on a regular basis with her parents. Imagine Jean's
surprise when at a very young age, she received a message from spirit through
Rev. Hawkins (of the Maylands Spiritualist Church) that she was destined to
one day work in a Spiritualist Church.
Jean married Ronald George Saunders on 13 March 1943. Ron had emigrated to
Australia from England in 1910 at the age of 2. Jean's mother Ruby passed away
on 17 November 1943 after a long illness. Sidney was run down by a vehicle and
killed in 1964.
Jean had two children, Margaret Ruby (born 3 March 1944) and Robert George
(born 1 September 1946). Jean was the proud grandmother to three
grand-children, Patricia, Michael and Shane.
By October 1966, both Margaret and Robert were married, and moved from the
family home, which gave Jean the time she required to become more involved in
Spiritualism. Her progress was swift, not surprising, considering her mother
and grandmother were psychic. The first platform Jean took was in the Maylands
Spiritualist Church. Reverend Hawkin's message from many years previous had
come to fruition. Jean served in many Spiritualist Churches and in 1978 held
her own first closed circle at her home. Jean was ordained a Reverend in May
1979 with the United Spiritualism of Australia (USofA) Church.
On 12 August 1979 Jean founded her own Church when services began at the
Subiaco Scout Hall. By December 2nd 1979 Jean and Ron had completed building
their private temple at the rear of their home at 226 Hammersly Road Subiaco.
All services were held there until August 1980, when the Church moved to their
current location. Our Church rented these premises for eight years from
Masonic Lodge until the property was purchased on 1st February 1988 - exactly
58 years to the day after the Masonic Lodge had purchased the property for
their lodge meetings.
In October 1979, Jean became a State Minister (W3206) under the guise of U
S of A.
Up until July 1982 our Church was associated with the U S of A. Due to U S
of A new operating rules, it was decided by the congregation that we should
break with the U S of A. In order to make the break from U S of A, Jean had to
give up her Ministership and become a Marriage Celebrant (A1399). In July 1983
our Church became affiliated with The Victorian Spiritualist Union (V.S.U.
founded in 1870). It was July 1983 that the V.S.U. was recognised as a
religious organization under Section 26 of the Marriage Act. In December 1983
Rev. Jean was State Minister again (W3634).
In July 1983 Jean compiled a book aided by her spirit guides, husband Ron,
daughter Margaret and very dear friend Jean Bowman - to which the book was
dedicated. The book was called "Spirit Realm Unveiled".
Jean, like her mother Ruby, had a weak, but big heart. Jean passed suddenly
into the spirit world after suffering a heart attack, on Palm Sunday, 6 April
1985.
Jean left a legacy of a strong congregation, well-trained mediums and
dedicated committee members, who would continue building on the strengths of
our Church.
Special thanks go to all dedicated workers, among them, Ted (our builder),
Roy (our bricklayer and paver) and Peter (our painter), also Ron and Margaret
who were both towers of strength to Reverend Jean and our Church at all times.
In daughter Margaret's words, Reverend Jean had been a Mother to many, I
feel especially privileged being her daughter.
Catherine Margaret Mayne was dedicated into The Spiritualist Church on 3rd
January 1981, ordained Reverend on June 12th 1983 and became Minister of
Religion on 4th August 1986 (W3933).
Reverend Cathie, (as she is lovingly known to all) has been our Minister
since Reverend Jeans' passing into the spirit world in 1985. Our Church
continues to grow from strength to strength with Cathie's guidance and
teachings. Cathie's husband Ted, is a tremendous help and support, not only to
Cathie but to our Church.
Reverend Cathie Mayne retired as the Minister to Centre Christian
Spiritualist Church in December 2000. We felt a great sadness when
Reverend Cathie retired, but we understand that Reverend Cathie needed to
retire to spend more time with her husband and family.
Cathie has not left our Church altogether though, she will continue to
visit us on a regular basis. Cathie will continue to conduct our
Communion service on the first Sunday of every month and be a visiting medium
from time to time.
We thank you so very much Cathie for the tremendous efforts you have put in
over the years, especially since you became our Minister in 1985. We
have all grown spiritually through your guidance and love, you will always
hold a special place in our hearts. May God bless you with His love and
light each and every day.
It is with much love and gratitude that we welcome Reverend Wendy Booth as
the new Reverend to our Church. Wendy has been a member of our Church
for almost 20 years, dedicated February 1982, has served in many positions on
our committee and been a tremendous support to Reverend Cathie for many
years.
Wendy was ordained Reverend on December 9th, 2000 by Reverend Cathie Mayne
at the Centre Christian Spiritualist Church, 76 Townshend Road Subiaco,
Western Australia.
Reverend Wendy married Lin in May 1985, has 3 adult children,
Peter, Jennifer and Matthew and the proud Grandmother to 7 beautiful
grandchildren and step Mum to Clinton and Melissa. We thank you Wendy for accepting the Reverency of our
Church, may God bless you with His love and light as you take each and every
one of us deeper into our spiritual unfoldment.
Due to family
commitments Rev Wendy is unable to continue in her role as Reverend in our
Church. It is with some sadness that we farewell Rev. Wendy, 15th December
2002.
We thank you Wendy for all your efforts over the past 2 years in your role as
Reverend in our Church.
We
wish you and your family all the very best for the future, may you continue to
be blessed with God's light, love and wisdom as you continue on your
pathway of discovery.
God bless .......... Judy