On Sunday 30 June 2013 the Archdeacon, Fr Thompson, conducted a memorial service in Sellindge, Kent, for the late Professor Brian Johnston, CMU professor, Middle East human rights activist and world-renowned author, scholar and authority on the Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen. Professor Johnston was born in England but spent much of his life travelling as an educator and lecturing on Ibsen in the USA, Norway, China and many other countries. As a passionate defender of the Palestinian cause he faced danger on many occasions and narrowly escaped from being taken as a hostage. He died in Pittsburgh, USA, in March, aged 80, and is survived by a brother, three sisters and other family members in England and beyond. Those who attended the service had travelled from many parts of the UK and from the United States. His ashes were interred during the service.