We are very sorry to share that Revd Alyson Lamb, who was chaplain at St Michaels Paris from 2013 to 2017 has died aged 68.

Bishop Robert Innes said: “Alyson was a truly delightful person: compassionate, charismatic and full of joy. She was one of the nicest people one could wish to meet. 

After leaving the diocese, she ministered in Newcastle diocese for a while. The last time she officiated in the Diocese in Europe was to preach at the funeral of Jane Birkin – a huge occasion, and quite remarkable for a British Anglican woman to be invited to preach. Alyson was the first woman to be chaplain at St. Michael’s and to some degree a pioneer of women’s ministry in the diocese.”

Revd Dale Hanson remembers Alyson: “I find it hard to write about Alyson in the past tense. She is someone who always seemed so full of life and energised by the “sparkling” quality of her faith.

"I served with Alyson at Saint Michael's in Paris where she became a dear friend as well as a colleague. Her time at Saint Michael's was not without its challenges but included much fruitful and joyful ministry. The Tamil congregation at saint Michael's held a special place in her heart and I recall the way she threw herself into that community’s joyful Christmas celebrations; Alyson always cut a stylish figure and she looked very much at home in the Sari they gave her! Just a few weeks ago Alyson and I were reminiscing about Paris via Whatsapp. She reminded me of the wonderful times we spent visiting local shops and hotels around Christmas with gifts of shortbread cookies and Bonne Annee cards - “remember the ladies in the dry cleaners who thought we were leaving them the whole basket?” she asked. Yes I do remember that and I remember Alyson at her happiest as she shared her infectious love for Jesus with the people around us.

"In Paris, Alyson and I came to realise that we had known each other from many years previously. Alyson came to Durham while I was serving there and we worked together on the launch of Student Alpha in the City.

"The last time I visited Alyson about five months ago she had recently retired and was enjoying her new flat in Berwick-upon-Tweed. She seemed particularly well, having laid aside some of the burdens that came with Parish ministry and leadership and looking forward to new possibilities of serving the Lord she loved so completely. I was shocked when she shared the news of her medical prognosis just a few months later but not at all surprised by her faith-filled response. As she put it in her own words, “I am currently feeling well and making the most of it! The diagnosis has certainly been a boot-camp training in embracing life in the present tense. While the uncertainties are sometimes challenging, mostly I am experiencing great peace at heart and mind. I trust in the unfailing love of God whose faithfulness I have experienced daily since first inviting Jesus into my life, 25 years ago. I know that all my life - the moment of my birth, the point of my death and every day in between - is held in God's loving will and purposes for me. I can rest in God's promises and I give thanks for each day and each moment of this precious and beautiful life. Every day brings new blessings to be grateful for and new purpose to fulfil.”

"No surprise to those of us who know her - her prognosis was a “life sentence” rather than a death
sentence as she lived the abundant life that she found in Jesus. She was able to spend time enjoying the arts (even ABBA!) and travel, but most precious of all to her, time with nearest and dearest family and friends.

However long or short life may be in duration Alyson shows us the reality of the promise of Jesus “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10 ESV)"