Well Done Good and Faithful Servant

When we arrived in Stoughton for our introduction meeting in 2016, one of the first persons to greet us was Rev. Clyde Cross. He came into the office fishing for some information on the new pastor and we found a new friend.

Clyde and Mary Jo, we would later come to know, found their joy in service with our food pantry, around the card table and over a good church supper. Together they celebrated their family any chance they could! Clyde passed away today. And I’m on a renewal leave.

Grief is real tonight. I will miss Clyde and his laugh. I will miss his curiosity. I will miss his care for our church. I am so thankful for the people in place who will love Mary Jo and their family while I am away.

This is a grief though that is not unfamiliar. COVID took so much away from us. Our congregation lost 9 people in 2020; none due to COVID (praise the Lord). With COVID restrictions, these people were not sent off to glory the way that they should have been. These were people that gave of themselves 110% for God’s kingdom. These were long time Saints of the church who deserved to be sung into Heaven with Amazing Grace or The Old Rugged Cross.

Ironically, it is grace and the cross that brings me peace tonight. Grace is that feeling, that knowledge, that assurance that God is there. I know Clyde and the others like Alice, Clarice, and Larry knew grace. Whether it be from a video chat with a grandkiddo or a masked presence and gloved hand from a spouse, God’s love crossed through every barrier put into place and entered those hearts filling them with the “peace that passes all understanding.”

When my grandma passed in early 2021, I longed to be with her. I longed to be next to her in bed, holding her close and assuring her all would be well. COVID did not allow that to happen. I had to hold onto the cross. I had to hold onto the peace knowing that Jesus died for all of us so that we wouldn’t have to bear the weight of sin, grief, and pain alone. In fact, Jesus died for us so that we would be free from all of that! In that freedom, we will still know hurt, but that sting won’t last as long. I don’t feel like it makes this grief easier, but I do feel like it is peaceful.

As a Pastor, I long to be with my church family when they are grieving. I find that ministry with the family and friends is an opportunity to have one of the most genuine experiences in faith. This is a thin place moment – where the veil between Heaven and earth is sheer. These are the moments where love is tangible and nothing else really matters – just love.

Tonight, I give thanks for my friend, colleague and brother in faith Clyde. Well done, good and faithful servant. Thank you for your example in faith, your love and your care. I trust that in this new found freedom of Heaven that you are sitting tall and ready for a game of dirty clubs!