News

A thanksgiving service for the life and ministry of the Rev Ken Cornwell, a former Moderator of the Uniting Church NSW Synod and Minister of Wesley Mission, will be held at Wesley Church, Sydney, on Wednesday, March 4 beginning at 10 am.  

Mr Cornwell, 77, passed away after a long illness. 

The Rev Ken Cornwell began ministry at Wesley Mission in April 1990 where he took pastoral leadership of the Wesley Chapel congregation. 

He set out to involve large numbers of lay people in cell groups, Bible study groups and outreach ministry. He reactivated the domiciliary care program, which included a visiting ministry to people who were too frail to attend church services.

Mr Cornwell was chaplain to Wesley Mission head office and Wesley Dalmar staff and his staff devotions were always well attended. He had a special interest in ministry and mission to Asia and the Pacific and was a board member of Lifeline, Sydney.

Mr Cornwell introduced a theological library facility at Wesley Mission and he enlivened the Mission’s music ministry. He left Wesley Mission in September 1994 to become Moderator of the Uniting Church in NSW and later became the Sydney Presbytery minister. 

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Ken’s wife Pam and their children, Philip, Narelle and Andrew and their families,” the Superintendent of Wesley Mission, Sydney, the Rev Keith Garner said. 

“Ken was dearly loved by members of all congregations and will be warmly remembered for his pastoral care, leadership, evangelism and love of God’s Word.” 

Mr Cornwell was a former Chaplain to Newington College and was Principal of MLC Burwood from 1970 to 1989. He was ordained in March 1957.