RVCC Spirit: Psalm 139: "All-Saints Remembrances"

You are welcome to use parts of this sermon, but if you do, please attribute them properly!

Today is All-Saints’ Sunday, and traditionally we remember those in our families and in our congregation who have died during the past twelve months. Some of them are newly gone, and the rawness of the pain cuts through us like a knife. Others died nearly a year ago. The sorrow has mellowed, and healing has begun. However, we still sense the emptiness in our hearts and maybe even tears pricking the edges of our eyes. But whoever they were and wherever they were on their life journey when they were taken from us, we remember them on this special day.

Some people think that only the super-duper bigger than life virgins and martyrs should be called saints. Not me! I like to remember that the Greek word for “saint” means simply “holy one.” And are not we all blessed with a spark of holiness simply because we are all – each one of us – daughters and sons of God?

As we prepare to hear snippets of stories from the lives of those we remember, listen to this quote from Frederick Buechner’s memoir, Sacred Journey:

“Dead and gone though they may be, as we come to understand them in new ways, it is as though they come to understand us — and through them we come to understand ourselves - in new ways too. Who knows what "the communion of saints" means, but surely it means more than just that we are all of us haunted by ghosts because they are not ghosts, these people we once knew, not just echoes of voices that have years since ceased to speak, but saints in the sense that through them something of the power and richness of life itself not only touched us once long ago, but continues to touch us.”

Hear first the stories of family members who are not church members who have passed away this year.

Gloria Carpenter is Cheri Moore’s beloved aunt. Like her sister, Cheri’s mother, Goria was warm, welcoming, nurturing, and loved children. She was a gentleman farmer’s wife, adept at chasing cattle and nursing baby sheep. Gloria was also active in the Somerset County Republicans, campaigning for the likes of Margaret Chase Smith and Olympia Snow. She was a prolific artist, and her oil paintings won many ribbons at the Skowhegan Fair. An active church member and Sunday School teacher, Gloria had great faith in God. Even though at the end stages of Alzheimer’s many of the doors of her mind closed and she could not recognize those around her, I like to think that the door held open by love never really shut.

Carl Hews is Bonnie Wiley’s father. He worked for 37 years at Central Maine Power Company. He was a past grand master of Masonic Lodge #115, past high priest of York Royal Arch Chapter #5, a Boy Scoutmaster, and youth baseball coach. Carl volunteered for ITN driving senior citizens in the Portland area. He enjoyed square dancing, was an avid hunter and fisherman, and a fan of all Boston sports teams. Bonnie says, “For my Dad, life was all about family. He was incredibly proud of his children and grandchildren and supported them in everything they did. Even when sick from chemo, he was out in the garden picking carrots with his great grandchildren. He is greatly missed by everyone who knew him.”

Dale Meggison is Adma Willis’s brother in law. He was an Air Force veteran serving in Viet Nam. Dale worked as a carpenter and had an impeccable reputation in his community. He enjoyed singing, playing the guitar, camping, his bassett hounds, and collecting old telephones and David Bradley tractors. He is perhaps best remembered for being a natural born storyteller with a dry sense of humor. He always had a story for his four children, eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren – and they loved them all.

Paul Stevens is Charlotte Rowe’s brother. He worked in a paper mill for 37 years after serving in the Air Force. He was a quiet man who loved his family camp in Lincoln. There his wife, son, and daughter would go hiking, hunting, and fishing together. Paul hunted from his teenaged years on. Three years in a row, he received an award for shooting the largest buck in Maine. In his later years, Paul had a dog, Page. They would go to the woods everyday together. When Paul got sick, he would drive to the woods, but Page would not get out of the truck until Paul got out first. They were inseparable, and even death could not keep them apart. You see, Page died shortly after Paul did.

This year has been a particularly difficult one for our congregation. Young and old have died. Long time members and stalwart volunteers have passed away. Perhaps this time of sharing, as we recall those in our immediate church family who are now part of the great “cloud of witnesses,” can be the beginning of all the grieving and healing that needs to be done.

Ernie Allen is Sarah Allen’s father and grew up in Raymond. He served the Town as Selectman, Town Moderator, Deputy Fire Chief, School Board Member, a charter member of Raymond Rescue, Budget Committee, Planning Board as well as a variety of temporary committees. Ernie was a proud WWII Army veteran, serving in the Pacific. He was active in numerous Masonic bodies for over 60 years, holding offices in most of them. Ernie and his wife operated Plummerville Cottages in Raymond, and he was especially proud of creating a place where guests returned for generations. Ernie had a passion for flying and co-owned several airplanes. Here at church, he sat faithfully in the back row and was elected an Elder. I could always count on Ernie to tell me what he thought of a hymn or new bulletin reference and to speak out at an Annual Meeting, most often about the budget.

But Ernie, if you gave him a chance, listened too – seeking as much to understand as to be understood.
Virginia Beach is “Woody” Beach’s wife. She and Woody were one of the first of the “snowbirds” to arrive each Spring and one of the last return to their North Carolina home come autumn. Virginia was an English major in college and could always be counted on to help family and friends with grammar. Music was an important part of her life. She played the violin and also hand bells for special occasions. It was our privilege to hear her play in worship one Sunday each summer while her sister played cello. Virginia was a substitute music teacher in several school systems and also taught English as a Second Language. She enjoyed traveling to many parts of Europe and Australia, but Maine was her summer home for over 25 years. Virginia inspired many with her positive attitude and lived her ambition to be happy – right to the end of her life.

Collette Boure is Michael Grindel’s daughter, and Stacey Grindel’s stepdaughter. She was a lover of life, pushing its limits to experience both the light and the dark nooks and crannies. Collette was Pilgrim Lodge camper and an active participant in our church, which, in many ways, became a safe haven for her, a place where her contributions were acknowledged and affirmed. She helped in the nursery and provided summertime coverage on year. She served at our pot roast suppers and was a prophet at our early Christmas Eve service. She helped to catalogue books in our new library and one winter shoveled a path for me through ten foot plowed snowdrifts from the Office door to the Thrift Shop. Collette was an enthusiastic participant in our Youth Group. I don’t think she ever missed one of our monthly pizza and movie nights. She stacked many cords of firewood at a weekend for UCC youth at HOME in Orlands, Maine and served lunch to the homeless at the Common Cathedral in Boston. I will remember Collette’s enthusiasm at being here at church, her infectious smile and laughter, and the way her face lit up when anyone thanked her for doing a good job.

Mary Lou Brokenbrough worshipped here for many summers and was a close friend of the Putscher Family. She taught elementary school for three years before becoming a full time faculty wife to her civil engineering husband and mother to her two children.

Mary was active in her church in Newark, Delaware, where she taught Sunday School, was president of the Women’s Association, and enjoyed working in the kitchen for church suppers. She was a member of the PEO Sisterhood, was a Cub Scout and Brownie leader and volunteered as a guide for many years at the Iron Hill Museum. Mary also loved traveling and saw much of North America and Europe.

Bill Doyle is Louise Doyle’s husband. Though he was an only child, he left behind four children, 11 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. Bill spent most of his life serving others. He spent 26 years in the Navy, Coast Guard, or Army Reserves. When he retired from military service, he served the Raymond community as an ambulance attendant, member of the fire police, member of the Lions Club (once winning Lion of the year), and an active member of this church. Bill’s family remembers him as a warm and loving father. He loved playing games, especially whist and cribbage. It was said that Bill was a bad loser as well as a bad winner, furious at a loss and gloating over a win. He also often found a unique way of interpreting rules and managing to find loopholes to make them more to his liking. He adored all children and served as a family fishing guide (spending countless hours untangling line), a wheelbarrow chauffeur, an instructor of golf etiquette, and provider of too much ice cream!

Diane Goosetrey was an active parishioner here at church. Born in my hometown of Montclair, NJ, she was trained as a nurse, specializing in the operating room and traveling where needed from Boston to Washington, DC. Diane was active in town politics in New Jersey and was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She enjoyed gardening as well as arts and crafts. I have several of her handmade ornaments that I hang on our Christmas tree, one made from a lobster claw that I am particularly fond of. Each year she made me a beautifully decorated wreath and at one time created many of the wreath bows we sold at our Holiday Fair. Diane was generous with her time and professional training. She transported people who needed rides, served as parish nurse, and generally kept in touch by visiting many members of our community. She could be gruff but had a heart of gold. Diane was musically gifted. Though she never had a lesson, she played piano and organ by ear – and always with a sparkling spontaneity. She was a gracious substitute on Sunday mornings when needed and was out musician at the late Christmas Eve service for many years.

Diane agreed to work with and accompany the men when the Very Occasional Men’s Choir began – and has brought them – even her “one noters” as she called them – from a simple Amen to harmonizing hymns. It is because of Diane that we have been able to enjoy their “joyful noise.”

Jane Jordan was a community volunteer for decades. She was part of the Cape Elizabeth Bridge Club and the Cape and Raymond Garden Clubs. She was active in the Raymond Lions’ Club, served on the Raymond Budget Committee, and was a Boy Scout leader. Jane was a reporter for Raymond Road Runner and was a lifelong member of the Fire and Rescue Police. When walking became a chore, she still responded to local fire and rescue calls using her cane. She loved the holidays and decorated for each one. Her favorite was Halloween, and she adored the young trick or treaters who stopped by. Jane was a firm and outspoken democrat, and I am sure she would have lots to say about the upcoming election. At our church, she was as a long time member and deacon – and it was because of her direct comments at a Council meeting that I got an air conditioner in my office.

Eleanor Lombard lived in the Raymond area most of her life. She was trained as a beautician but owned and operated Lombard Cottages on Sebago Lake for over 60 years. She also was a broker and owner of Lombard’s Realty. Eleanor was a founding member of the Hawthorne Garden Club and a member of the Pine Cone Square Dancing Club. She enjoyed swimming, crafts, knitting, painting, and gardening. She was a member of our church and loved singing in the choir. Her motto was” “About yesterday, no tears; about tomorrow, no fears.”

Ron Morton is Joan Morton’s husband. Ron worked as a cook and correctional officer at the Maine Correctional Center in Windham. He volunteered many hours in public safety through the Westbrook Police Department and the Raymond and Westbrook Fire Police – to name a few. Ron was best known for his sense of humor and genuine concern for others. He could make people feel instantly comfortable. Everyone who met him always commented on what a special man he was even if they had only met him once over coffee at Dunkin’ Donuts where he met his buddies every morning. Ron was a family man and had a special bond with his great-granddaughter. He loved spending time in his camp “trailer” and being outdoors watching the birds, squirrels, turkey, and deer. He was a hunter and fisherman, enjoyed boating, and tinkering with anything he could get his hands on.

Grace Virginia Parker known as “Ginny”, was one of our church Elders. She and her retired husband, Bill, moved to Maine years ago and became active members of our church. Ginny was part of the Women’s Semi-Circle, the local Friendship Group, and the Raymond Garden Club. She also worked with her husband to put up consistent fire lane signs on the roads in Raymond. In later years, she and Bill wintered in Florida where Ginny would sit on her front porch to greet people walking by. They would often stop to visit and enjoy her company. Her family remembers her as generous in spirit, welcoming, warm, and optimistic. Her dear friend, Louise Doyle, says: “Ginny had the best smile – her whole face lit up.”

Patricia Ann Read is Walt Read’s wife and one of our active summer congregants. Pat worked as a medical office manager for much of her professional career. She was warm and welcoming whenever I visited with her, had a lovely smile, and a rich sense of humor.

Pat loved her family: Walt and their 3 children, her grandchildren, and her siblings. Her favorite summer vacation spot was on Panther Pond here in Raymond. She and Walt travelled to their camp faithfully each year from outside of Chicago. Pat was a prolific knitter, a hobby she continued to the end of her life. In fact, some of the prayer shawls that were blessed this summer were ones that Pat lovingly knitted as a sign of both her positive attitude as well as her faithfulness.

Elizabeth Wilson, known as Betty, grew up in Raymond in the second oldest house in town - and grew up in our church as well. She graduated from Windham High School and attended every yearly class reunion. Betty and her husband owned Gordan’s Outboard, a business she was extremely proud of. She was outgoing, loved dancing, antiquing, dining out, and she prided herself in once diving off Frye’s Leap, a feat she never wanted to repeat. Betty loved Christmas, and her Buick trunk overflowed with gifts for all the family. Each was exquisitely wrapped in her colors – white, gold, and silver, never red and green – with a cherub gift card. She loved nice clothing and prided herself on her fashion sense. Every outfit had matching shoes and handbag. One of her greatest passions was decorating. She was proud of her home – white rugs, antiques, cherubs, and all.

Let’s have a moment of silence now to remember all of these saints…..Please join in the Prayer of Remembrance, an insert in the bulletin, that Tom will lead.

Prayer of Remembrance

Liturgist: In the rising of the sun and in its going down,