Jul/Aug, 2010 "Stations of the ..."

"The Stations of the Cross" are a devotional exercise.  Jesus walked from his sentencing by Pilate to the place of crucifixion.  Through the years, pilgrims have walked the same path in Jerusalem in solidarity with Jesus, stopping at "stations" to pray and reflect on the final events of our Lord's life.  Since many could not make the actual trip to Jerusalem, it became the custom of local parishes to place replicas of the stations on the walls.  Parishioners could make the devotional pilgrimage in their own churches.  Over time, fourteen stations were identified.  At Holy Comforter we have fourteen crosses mount on the interior walls of the church.  They represent the fourteen Stations of the Cross.  Station One is "Jesus is Condemned to Death."  Each subsequent Station recalls another detail of Jesus' Way.  The final Station is "Jesus is Laid in the Sepulcher."  From time to time, I pray the Stations.  As I do, I remember the actual Stations we walked together on our parish pilgrimage to the Holy Land. 

I also take another, quite different walk - the Stations of the Columbarium.  I begin at the altar in prayer, and then I move down the center aisle and out into the garden.  Section "A" of the Columbarium is the first station.  Here I visit with the persons whose names are etched into the granite.  I look at each one; most I've buried.  Every time I walk the Stations different names leap forward.  Today it is Williams - Ernest 1994 and Yvonne 2005.  Then was Lightbourn - Francis 1991 and Marion 1997. Each man was a priest and friend, buried with his respective wife.  My eye leaps to Falbe, Evelyn 1991.  She was house mother at a Northwestern sorority and regularly brought new co-eds to the late Eucharist on Sunday.  She walked with a cane.  There are, of course, other names, but these caught my eye.

Then I move to Section "B".  I scan the  rows, offering an arrow prayer for each.  I see Bennett - Russell 2007 and Patricia 2000, our Chancellor of 40 years and his beloved.  Then I see Bono - Jack 2005 and Bette 2000.  Jack was the Chair of the Search Committee that brought me to Holy Comforter.  I buried each.  Rothrock - Gordon 1995 and Barbara 2005.  She was our first woman Senior Warden and her husband.  Klatte - Herman 1984 and Mildred 2005.  Each of them taught in the Church School 50 years.  Mildred was our first parishioner to become 100.  Olson - Raymond, Jr. 2004.  He was "chaplain to the children."  Buenger - Mary Lidecker 2009.  She loved the garden so.  Hussey - Frank Larkin, Jr. 2010.  He was the distinguished radiologist.  Morgan - Eben C. Jr. 2008 is there.  An all star basketball player at Duke and a man of china.  Oh, so many more names.  I pause to reflect.

Section "C" Danforth - Leland 1958 and Elizabeth 2000, our fifth Rector.  I knew her, but he died when I was thirteen.  Danforth - Gladys 1993 and David 1990, he was a distinguished obstetrician after whom the textbook is named.  Teeple - Chester 1995.  Chet was Senior Warden when I was elected eighth Rector.  Oh, there is Rebecca Heatherington - 1990, the 12 year old girl who touched so many of our hearts.  She asked me before she died, "Father Myers, will I be cold when I die?"  I paused here for a longer time.  I remember the day I placed her urn in this niche. 

On to Section "D" our sixth Rector, Hanner - William 1979 and Rose 2000.  I knew both of them from seminary when they would come for a visit.  Stewart - John 1990 and Margaret 2001, the parlor was given in his memory, a classroom in hers.  Sunny and Jack.  Roth - Ernest 2008.  How he helped our Investment Committee organize and diversify.

At Section "E" I sit.  The walk has tired me, and I want to rest and pray.  Here my eye scans to see Thomson - Andrew 1998, another distinguished physician and philanthropist.  I presided at his funeral held at St. James Cathedral.  A thousand were present.  Parkin - Joe 1993.  Jason's Dad.  Kellogg - Jacqueline 2006.  Thank you for the Kellogg Cancer Care Center.  It has blesses so many and gives hope.  Hilton - David 2000.  Our wonderful Junior Warden we lost to cancer.  Lane - Sandra 2002.  Catholic extraordinaire.  Dau - Nancy H. 2009.  Our wooden dove is in thanksgiving for her marriage.  Curti - Joseph Thomas 2010.  Who loves opera more than Joe?  Johnson - Russell 2006 and Marion 1996.  He was a priest for 60 years.  Stuart - Gary 2008 and Nancy 2006.  What music they made!  Finally, Myers - Bonnie Charnick 2008.  I know what it means to stand at the foot of the cross in sorrow. 

I didn't make it to Section "F" today.  I sat for the longest time, thinking about those whose names caught my eye this time.  It is humbling to sit among so many saints; saints whom I know so well and whom I have been privileged to bury. 

The Stations of the Columbarium -- all of them redeemed by the Passion of Christ.  I return to the altar; I need to give thanks.  How honored I have been to sit among such a glorious assemblage of saints.  Their lives and spirit are what Holy Comforter is.  How blessed I am to be their Pastor.  Adieu.