Well, we laid Leslie to rest yesterday.

For those who knew Leslie, and were not able to be with us all yesterday, I want to let you know that there should be audio and video recordings of the service available soon, as well as a copy of the words that were said. These included both personal thoughts and a sermon that not only honored Leslie's ministry, but lifted up the themes she herself had preached in her last sermon (Easter).

The Bishop's sermon, which opened with references to Lazarus and Jesus' human tears at the passing of his friend, also touched upon the stream of leadership and ministry that have been so evident in the parishes; this encouraged the current non-ordained leaders arising from the membership. It's all circular-- that's the leadership that will, as time goes on, support the surviving family who will continue to have a place in that church.

The preceding bishop who had been part of beginning Leslie's process to ordination drove himself, alone, 7-1/2 hours, to be there and take part in the liturgy. Seminary faculty leadership, seminarian-friends (now also ordained), and diocesan school friends, ditto. Representatives from the diocesan Commission on Ministry, ditto. Reps of other groups, ditto....

When I say "representatives," I mean that the among all the organizations where she had been loved, and thousands of people who had wanted to be there-- knowing the size of available seating-- spontaneously (and with no coordination I know of) chose to send reps to yield as much space as possible to local friends (who came in droves). The reception provided an opportunity for each "rep" to convey their love and concern to the family.

From the overflow seating in the parish hall, about 150 of us had a perfect three-HDTV video feed that made the "overflow" look and feel just like being a few pews farther back than the back pew of the main church. The Bishop came and spoke with us before the service to explain how communion would be handled, and we all had prayer books and hymnals to be fully part of the service. The music was wonderful-- all chosen from Leslie's favorite texts and melodies. Copies of the recent cover story on Leslie (and kleenex) were set out to take....

The overflow area consisted of the same mix of friends, community, and clergy (incl some of the parishes' former priests) that filled the main church. Leslie's pictures occupied and covered the corners where the room's usual furniture had been squirreled away.

Leslie's remains "pro-CESSsed" from the service, followed by about a hundred cars, to Brookland. There are a couple of ways to get there; this was a new-to-us route that passed by pretty sights along a gently-rolling road-- not the hillier route that would have jostled passengers. I believe Leslie's family were in the lead car, setting the slow pace that gave them time to get ready for the next part of what would happen.

The graveside service was as lovely and gracious as can be imagined, in the near-mountaintop setting Leslie (and preceding clergy) saw weekly, when arriving to conduct services. (Another ordained friend of ours is reposed there as well, and our own early decision to take a plot there only makes more and more sense as time goes on.) It was sunny and warm. Lilacs are open now, scenting the breezes.


I think it speaks to how well people experienced the service that thoughts of the future, tears, love, and laughter continued to flow for several hours in and around the edges of the reception that followed back at the church where the service had been held. This included family; it's not always the case that each family member find a way to open their "grief channel" before everyone goes home, but it was clear that this had occurred for each of them.


I'll write about the rest separately, as I indicated above.

~Susan