Online Archives

BY LINDA WORTHINGTON
UMCONNECTION STAFF

Family members of the 39 clergy and clergy spouses who have died since the 2011 annual conference were honored during the Service of Remembrance Thursday morning in a candle lighting service. Also recognized were three lay members of the conference.

Bishop Schol delivered the homily. Many of Bishop John Schol’s remarks in his homily centered on the idea of “fix it,” beginning with the story of Lazarus’ death in the Book of John, the only Gospel that tells this seventh miracle.  “Jesus came to save the lost, to weep with those who weep, and to fix it when we’re powerless,” the bishop said.

“The raising of Lazarus is the seventh miracle in John.  He wants us to know that the first six miracles were signs that God fixes things through the ministry of Christ. The wine runs out, more wine is made. Five thousand are hungry, he feeds them. The eyes aren’t working, Jesus will restore sight. You can’t walk, you will walk again. Most miracles fix it but they don’t complete it.”

“Nothing could be added to the seventh miracle or taken from it without diminishing it. Resurrection is the only thing that will make things complete,” the bishop said. There are mini-resurrections in this life but only one complete resurrection, which God promises to us.

We remember those pastors who fixed people throughout their pastorates, he said. “They pastored during some of the most challenging times in people’s lives, they comforted mothers who wept and spent time at the hospital with people who were afraid of what might be next, and the presence and words of Christ lived and spoke through them.”

“We also remember the spouses who after harsh church meetings, disappointing appointments, and hard days of pastoring, would with a tender word or a listening ear, fix the pastor.”

“And we remember lay people like Bill Kirk who fixed the denomination.” At the 1968 General Conference he was instrumental in abolishing the central jurisdiction and bringing an end to the racist and segregated system.

“Jesus was at work through each of your loved ones,” Bishop Schol said, “and today we give thanks to God for their life, their witness and their love for the church.”

When we have fought the good fight, and in this life, through the presence of Christ, we have done all the fixing we can, God will complete our life with resurrection. Amen.