 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
This Saturday was the funeral for an old friend: Una Clarke. Una served as the cook at WHS for many years and she impacted the student’s lives in ways that stretch far beyond the responsibilities of a good cook. She would regularly serve as a safe place to talk, a good listener, and a wise counselor for the students and staff.
Her farewell service was a beautiful testimony of the impact one life can have in a largely overlooked profession. She wasn’t a public figure, she didn’t deliver sermons, or petition on a political ticket. She served. Her influence was one of lasting integrity and a faithfulness of dependability. I knew her as Ms. Una, and semi-infrequently chatted with her from time to time. Though we attended different churches and our ministry stints didn’t directly overlap, I always felt part of the family as she and I both labored for God’s glory on that hilltop in Savannah Sound.
Perhaps that greatest evidence of Una’s impression for Christ was visibly seen when the Windermere High School Alumni choir rose to sing her tribute. And one by one, I saw, not those from the marginal professions stand to sing, but rather I saw Christian leaders and community leaders, one after another take their place in front of her to sing glory to our God.
This humble woman of 89 faithfully served behind a counter, she raised her children to know and fear the Lord, and she worshipped regularly at the little Savannah Sound Methodist Church. Her memorial was a wonderful testimony to the impact someone can have when they serve the Lord by loving others faithfully.
Then, only 2 weeks later, another funeral. This one was for my friend Wade’s mom, Martha. Martha was a pillar of the Christian community in JC, and her legacy was one of unashamed praise and joy, often nonconforming but always with a heart of love and devotion to her God.
As unfortunate as it is, the greatest testament to the church in JC is seen in their Sunday morning worship, or diversity of style or tradition. Rather, their greatest expression evidencing God’s love in their lives is seen at funerals. For only at funerals do the churches forget about their divisions and differences, and you witness a community come together.
One of the witnesses at Martha’s service noted that we ought to show the kind of heartfelt love to one another that is often seen at funerals WHILE the individuals are still living.
I was very grateful to be a part of these services and experience both the worship and grief shared by my Bahamian family.