From Don’s Desk

We’ve had too many reminders of our terminal mortality these last several weeks at St. Paul’s. As your pastor I need and want to tell you how very pleased and proud I am at the way St. Paul’s shows its love and respect to those who have completed their earthly journey and how we rally around to support their grieving families. The way we express our love as a church family is a joy to this pastor’s heart.
    The shroud of mortality (Isaiah 25:7) that has been cast so heavily over us recently provides the occasion for two thoughts.

1) While she was in the hospital Bev Cornell helped me plan her Memorial Service (whenever it would take place, whether sooner or later). She told me the psalm she wanted spoken, a hymn she wanted sung, and the version of The Lord’s Prayer she wanted used. That was very helpful to me and to Glenn when we planned her service.
      I think I’ve said this before, but there was no response the last time, so I’ll say it again: I keep a “Funeral File.” Most of us don’t enjoy thinking about such things, but you might want to consider letting me know favorite hymns and psalms and Scripture passages and any other information that might be helpful. I’ll keep it in my file and hope I never have to use it.

2) In a similar vein, for some time I have thought it might be a good idea to build a columbarium [vault for storing cremated remains] in our Memorial Garden. Seeing the columbarium at the Cambria cemetery recently reinforced that thought. How lovely it would be to be able to spend a few moments near the columbarium in our lovely Memorial Garden on the birthday of a loved one who has gone on to glory . . . or a wedding anniversary . . . or another significant day (All Saints’ Day!). And wouldn’t that be an incredible place to start our Sunrise Easter Vigil!
    I mentioned the idea at the last Vestry meeting not so much as a proposal as to plant the seed. Our own Doug Spelts could give us helpful information, if we were interested. If you think it would be a good idea for us to consider constructing a columbarium in the Memorial Garden, please let me or a member of the Vestry know.
    And while I’m on the subject of such things, have you remembered St. Paul’s and/or The Episcopal Church in your will or trust?  A tremendous amount of wealth is going to be transferred in the next twenty years,  and current giving trends strongly suggest more and more church income will  come from bequests and less and less from the Sunday offering. Please consider prayerfully the possibility of a final gift to the church.

    Barbara and I will take some time to vacation in August. I hope you have an opportunity to do that too, if you are so inclined. [Every time we come back after being away we thankfully observe that we live every day in the kind of beauty most people have to take vacations to enjoy.] God grant you times of refreshing.
               
                Don