Parakalein

Rev. Holly Reed was a wonderful woman who served her family and her congregation family with relentless energy and resurrection power.  When I shared with her an idea re: a Lenten Series she was the first to step up with full support. She had no “ego-defend, protect my turf part” but an “all for the good of others” part. It seemed to be the thing that would serve others in a good way and that was all that seemed to matter.  So, I was privileged to know Holly for a short period of time and in a less intense way but something came through so I want to blog about that for any who want to hear or read it.

Holly was, apart from her religious credentials, a person of spiritual fiber and faith.

The UCC of which she was and is a part (as her influence will live beyond her physical life) has “extravagant welcome” and “open and affirming” as two guiding light principles.  The extravagant welcome was evidenced in her open heartedness, open-mindedness and open-spirit noted above.  She embodied the spirit of “open and affirming” as she was open to a new idea and affirming of the intersections of grief and grace, which she saw in Mark Kelso and Me.  She not only was open and affirming in words she was there each week we were there.  She was not only there she was there with no need to be “the pastor” in fact sidestepped even Mark and my offer to have her lead or close in prayer.  She was there in presence and that presence was really powerful.  It was the power of her open and affirming presence not the need to be powerfully or verbally =present with words.  She put her body where her mouth was so her mouth did not need to say anything.  Her talk of “open and affirming” was met by her “walk” of open and affirming.  True faith is the combination of words and action, faith and works, in seasons of darkness as well as seasons of light.  All are welcome is embodied when we welcome all regardless of our own egos.  This is part of Holly’s legacy.  It is the legacy of walking the talk and talking the walk. 

In a role of silence we are robed in true spirituality.  When God is silent we can feel God’s presence.  That is “spirituality”.  A life of substance, serenity, and surrender is the Jesus way.  Holly waked in that way.

Thank you Holly for who you are and how your legacy of leadership will inspire us all to know and be what we know and believe.  Thank you for teaching me the wonder of silent presence as the true spiritual exercise of the soul and for the spirit.