Grief, grace, and the great cloud of witnesses
Story by Lynne Onishi | Photos by Patrick Scriven
On Tuesday evening, members of the annual conference and loved ones of those saints who have departed gathered for a memorial service honoring the lives of God’s servants who have passed in the past year.
The service began with the singing of “I Sing a Song of the Saints of God,” reminding all those gathered of the saints we have known and loved who have served God and this world in so many unique ways.
After Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth’s opening words, the congregation joined Rev. Sonya Davis for a prayer. Scripture readings from John 13:34-35 and Matthew 22:37-39 provided a moment of centering in God’s love as those gathered prepared to hear the message.
Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank, resident bishop of the California Pacific Annual Conference, offered a personal, moving message about God’s presence in our times of grief. She offered a reflection on grief as a sign of the love we have for those whom we’ve lost, reminding us that, “it’s a bold and beautiful thing to love even when that love could end in loss and loneliness.”
Her message invited those gathered to reflect upon the great cloud of witnesses: those saints from the scriptures, those people we have known well, and all those we call upon to speak wisdom from the past into our present when we most need it. Even after their passing, God continues to bless us with a glimpse of their presence in our lives today.
Bishop Escobedo-Frank’s message offered a word of comfort and assurance that God knows, sees, and joins those grieving. We are never alone but surrounded by saints who empower and encourage us to continue doing God’s work.
After the message, Rev. Joe Lee sang a vulnerable, moving arrangement of “Give Me Jesus” in English and Spanish. Next, Tracy Simmons, founder and executive editor of FāVS News, shared about the importance of covering religion as members were invited to support this non-profit journalistic enterprise.
A reflective act of remembrance followed, honoring those saints who have passed in the last year. The names of all those departed were read aloud, accompanied by the resonant sound of a bell and the lighting of a candle. This moment also honored the closure of Aberdeen First United Methodist Church and Magnolia United Methodist Church, which faithfully served God’s people for many years through transformative ministry.
Bishop Bridgeforth led a Prayer for the Faithfully Departed, thanking God for the saints who have passed from this life and the ways their legacies nevertheless continue to encourage the living. The service concluded with the hymn “Draw the Circle Wide,” a benediction from Bishop Escobedo-Frank, and the singing of the “Hymn of Promise.” This annual conference’s memorial worship service provided an invitation to feel the pain of grief, to recognize the saints who have gone before us, and to feel assurance of God’s ever-present love and care.