Perhaps, like many churches, as winter ended we found ourselves having
quite a number of funerals - five in quick succession.
We miss these dear friends as many were central people in our community. Yet we also rejoice in the faith they showed, recognising that we are called now to pick up the baton and show a similar commitment as we continue to run the race.
The overriding impression I have of the funeral services we held recently is the sheer number of people who have joined us on these occasions.
In the planning stages the families have often been quite conservative about the number of mourners they thought would show up - yet on the day itself I regularly spoke with stewards who anticipated running out of service sheets.
It’s been super to welcome so many people to these services as we have come to give thanks for a friend’s life and it’s a real testimony to the idea that ‘no man is an island’ and that all our lives are interconnected.
At the last service at which I officiated a granddaughter spoke of the positive world her grandma created. She said she always came away feeling better for being in grandma’s world.
I thought that was a wonderful tribute.
These spring funerals have taught me that, just maybe, we are loved by far more people than any of us realise.
No comments:
Post a Comment