The annual Memorial Service is always a meaningful time for the NC Conference to gather, pause, remember, and reflect on the lives of service of clergy members and clergy spouses who have passed away since the last Annual Conference. Friday morning’s Memorial Service began with a prelude by Paul Saik, followed by the congregational hymn, “For All the Saints.”
Call to Worship
After Bishop Connie Mitchell Shelton opened the memorial service with a call to worship and litany, members of the Conference Worship Committee led everyone in prayers, scripture readings, and music. An excerpt from “The Romero Prayer” by Bishop Ken Untener served as a beautiful reminder of the faithful servants being remembered:
“We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker. We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs. We are prophets of a future not our own.”
“The Romero Prayer” by Bishop Ken Untener
We Belong to the Lord
Romans 14:7-9 served as the focus scripture for the Proclamation of the Word by Rev. Jon Strother, District Superintendent of the Beacon and Sound Districts. Rev. Strother shared his message, “We Belong to the Lord,” with those assembled, bringing the good news of resurrection life by leading them through profound examples of creative mediums which express the truth of belonging.
Strother said, “Paul captures the source, meaning, and purpose of our lives in one succinct affirmation – we belong to the Lord!” One powerful example he shared was that of the “Voyage of Life” series in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC by 19th-century landscape artist Thomas Cole.
The sequence of paintings conveys the four stages of life from “Childhood” to “Old Man.” The details of the paintings point to time running out by the landscape changing. In the last painting in the series, it seems clear that the old man is alone and no longer trying to be in control of the boat he pilots. Strother noted that perhaps the old man is more reliant on the hope of what’s to come as he gazes toward the golden city of lights, despite the swirling waters underneath and the darkness of clouds overhead. “Whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s!” said Strother as he emphasized the hope that comes from belonging to the Lord and knowing that Jesus is in the boat with each of us.
Strother drew upon another reference to this truth with the popular children’s movie, “Toy Story.” After Buzz Lightyear aggravated Woody by buzzing around as if he were a space ranger, Woody confronts him with the fact that he is not a space ranger and is, in fact, a toy. With this new knowledge, Buzz is disillusioned. Woody proceeds to comfort Buzz with the reminder that he’s loved and treasured by the young boy who owns them, Andy. Buzz then notices that the bottom of his space boot has the name, “Andy” scrawled in little boy handwriting. Buzz knew by this mark that he belonged.
Despite the pain of our losses, Strother reminded the Conference family that we belong to the Lord, and we can hold gratitude in our hearts. Citing Paul’s words, he reminded those gathered, “Whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.”
Gratitude and Recognition
Strother expressed love for the 19 clergy and 26 clergy spouses who have belonged to and whose lives have been gifts to our NC Conference. “Although the gift has an end, it doesn’t take away its goodness,” Strother said. He concluded by giving everyone an opportunity to remember and speak the names of loved ones whom they had recently lost, followed by prayer. “We give thanks to God for the ways these servants lived and served before us.”
The heartfelt tradition of the Memorial Service then continued as the name of each faithful servant was read while a bell rang. Family members and friends were invited to stand in silent tribute. In this way, each of the beloved brothers and sisters in Christ were remembered as were the ways their ministries carry on in the lives of those who they impacted and touched.
The service concluded with the congregational singing “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” and Bishop Shelton dismissing those gathered with a blessing, followed by a joyful rendition of “When We All Get to Heaven” as a benediction.