It's all Gift!
I just came from one of the best funerals I've ever attended, and I certainly hope someday mine will be like this one. It was filled with joy and spirit and celebration. Walt was one of the pastors in my text study group, and he had Parkinson's for the last 17 years. But through all the struggles and frustrations, he had a motto: "It's all gift" and that was the theme of the memorial.
The service was a celebration of music offered by very talented musicians on a variety of eclectic instruments, a rousing sermon by Walt's former colleague (lots of "Amens" and spirit in Reggie's sermons,) spontaneous sharing and stories from those of us in the congregations, and the meal of communion. From the very start, as we sang "Lift Every Voice" (very appropriate on this 40th anniversary of Martin Luther King's assasination too) I knew we were in for a treat. Every song was a celebration of life and a response to God's call to work for justice and peace. That was so very Walt! Sharing of the peace lasted a good 15 minutes too. Great remembrance of a man who loved to have fun.
I wasn't sure I wanted to go to the service - traffic to get downtown at the start of rush hour, limited parking, not the usual way to start a weekend - but I'm sure glad I did. For one thing, it was a definite reminder to see the gift that life is, but mostly it filled my spirit. I sure have been needing that lately. Thank you Walt, for teaching me to celebrate the gift!
The service was a celebration of music offered by very talented musicians on a variety of eclectic instruments, a rousing sermon by Walt's former colleague (lots of "Amens" and spirit in Reggie's sermons,) spontaneous sharing and stories from those of us in the congregations, and the meal of communion. From the very start, as we sang "Lift Every Voice" (very appropriate on this 40th anniversary of Martin Luther King's assasination too) I knew we were in for a treat. Every song was a celebration of life and a response to God's call to work for justice and peace. That was so very Walt! Sharing of the peace lasted a good 15 minutes too. Great remembrance of a man who loved to have fun.
I wasn't sure I wanted to go to the service - traffic to get downtown at the start of rush hour, limited parking, not the usual way to start a weekend - but I'm sure glad I did. For one thing, it was a definite reminder to see the gift that life is, but mostly it filled my spirit. I sure have been needing that lately. Thank you Walt, for teaching me to celebrate the gift!
posted by Kris at 4/04/2008 06:32:00 PM
2 Comments:
What does it say that the final memory we have of people (their funeral) is often the best memory we have or the best lesson we've learned?
Walt managed to creep into my Easter sermon too. At the late service, I found myself getting completely away from my notes and prepared ending. I had been talking about how God uses any means necessary to wake us up and get our attention (the earthquake on that resurrection day...) and out of my mouth came a whole new ending: "And when God finally gets our attention and we open our eyes, we see that it's all gift!" Twice, I repeated it. As I sat down, I realized Walt's spirit was very present, and he isn't done preaching yet!
Now on the other hand, I just found out that my aunt died this morning. However my best memories of her are from years ago as I was growing up. The last few years she had dementia, and I would much rather remember my summer "vacations" at her house in Wausau when I was a kid.
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