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A Note of Gratitude from Our Regional Minister
Beloved,
I am overwhelmed by the generous outpouring of love, care, and concern from Disciples throughout our region and Churchwide upon my father's death less than two weeks ago. From Facebook acknowledgements to cards and letters, to personal phone calls, to expressed prayers at Sunday services and church camp, to those who came to his visitation on Thursday and some staying for the service, our family felt held in every way. Thank you!
Certainly, I have been on the sending end of bereavement and health concerns notices, but God has opened a window of deeper understanding and appreciation on how much they comfort and mean to the recipients. I did not anticipate this great healing power you have provided. I am so humbled by your generosity.
Dad was 87 and had been in declining health for five years, yet his death was still a shock. I was staying at a hotel after a daylong church meeting in St. Louis and got the early call from his care center that he died between 5:00 and 5:30 a.m. Fortunately, I had just gotten out of the shower and was ready to start the day. Then God sent me that morning, and I didn't realize the prior evening too, three strangers, like Abraham and Sarah received - out of the blue. We had entered into various conversations at the dinner bar, the swimming pool, and the stairwell heading to breakfast. Each stranger remarked words of healing without realizing how they were preparing me and to bless me after. Such intimacy and vulnerability. This will be a sermon for sure.
My wise and spiritual friends share with me repeatedly this benediction: "We are simply called to walk each other home." This journey, with you beautiful companions, has provided me unanticipated closure on a number of facets, brought personal healing and resolve to keep moving forward.
I related at the funeral how much of dad's life resembled that of Norman Thayer from On Golden Pond - the last play we saw together on stage. I couldn't understand why he wanted to see a dying man spending his final year at the lake but now I know he wanted me to absorb the reality and emotion.
There are many people I could single out, but deep gratitude to the First Christian Church in Brookfield and Pastor John Wiggans who kept providing more and more at the funeral when I was wearing down.
With gratitude.
Paul
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