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| Mary Lou Kuklentz and Rev. Ward Misenheimer at the altar during the Ordination Service at Advent Lutheran |
Advent Lutheran is across the street from the tennis courts at UNCC on University City Blvd. or Highway 49. The Ordination is a special event in a Lutheran Church and most folks came in their Sunday best, though it was Friday night. Many folks honored the occasion by wearing red, the color for the Holy Spirit, and the paraments for the service. Glenn's Celebration of Life Service was church casual, and to honor Glenn, the men in the church (and many women) wore pink. Glenn was known as a classy dresser and often said, "real men wear pink!"
REFLECTIONS ON WORSHIP
MOOD
The mood at both services, both Friday night and Saturday morning was one of celebration.
In the Lutheran Church, the service of Ordination is a High, Holy event. And to have a daughter of your congregation (who I had in the nursery and Sunday School 30 years ago!), become ordained is truly special. In order to become an ordained pastor in the Lutheran Church, one must complete a Doctor of Divinity degree (4 years of study after a BA or BS), and complete a one year internship. Then the candidate has to be called to serve in a congregation. Our Bishop, The Rev. Dr. Tim Smith, came and gave the message and at least another dozen clergy participated in the Ordination. Her future church, Living Savior Lutheran in Southern Pines sent a bus load of members!
After the Ordination I was talking with the music director and Meghan's mom, Diane, and I loved it when Diane gently corrected the music director 3 times as she referred to Glenn's "funeral" the next day. "No," she continued to repeat, "It is a Celebration of Life". Having sat many hours at the hospital with Glenn's wife Pat, as his life came to an end, I knew that she purposely delayed Glenn's Celebration to give the family a chance to recover from their raw feelings of grief, so that we could truly come together and celebrate Glenn's life.
MUSIC
Meghan's service of Ordination included 8 hymns, personally chosen by her, plus a prelude and anthem performed by a pianist and cellist. These truly reflected her Call to serve God as an ordained minister in the Lutheran Church. Almost every one of the hymns was one of my favorites! This verse of The Summons truly spoke to me and to Meghan's Call:
Will you love the "you" you hide if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you've found to reshape the world around,
through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?
Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you've found to reshape the world around,
through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?
During Communion we sang "Be Thou My Vision, Lord" and "You are Mine" both calm reflections of Meghan and her Call. The refrain in "You are Mine" never fails to bring tears to my eyes.
I have called you each by name
Come and follow Me
I will bring you home
I love you and you are mine
Glenn and I had many discussions about church music. The music Pat and his sons chose for his Celebration reflected his life and beliefs. From the celebratory gathering of "Soon and Very Soon" (I am going to meet the Lord) done with his favorite jazzy accompaniment to the sending hymn of the contemporary version of "Amazing Grace" everyone sang and smiled (sometimes through tears) as we thought of Glenn. During Communion we sang "Here I Am, Lord" based on the story of Samuel and Eli, one of my absolute favorites. As a former church choir member, I'm sure he was smiling and singing along.
I have enjoyed tremendously exploring different music in the 40 churches I've visited so far, especially the African American Gospel music, but for these two celebrations, it felt good to use the "Red Book" and come home to familiar hymns.
MESSAGES
Bishop Smith used the puppet Rafiki from the Lion King in his Ordination sermon based on John 15: 1-7, ("I am the vine, you are the branches") also chosen by Meghan. As Rafiki helps Simba see his father in himself, so Jesus calls Meghan to continue His work in this time and in this place. He cautioned her to remember that though she will lead several congregations, to always remember that she is the branch connected to Jesus, the vine (and not the other way around!). Branches bear the fruit, but also need pruning regularly to keep them in their place and to support and be supported by the Vine, an awesome Call and responsibility. He ended his poignant message at the Baptism fount and in his best Rafiki voice called Meghan up to look in the water and see her reflection as a Child of God.
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| Keith Wassum |
The message at Glenn's Celebration of Life also came from John. John 14 1-6 (Do not let your hearts be troubled, I go to prepare a place for you....) Pastor Ward's sermon was wonderful, and he suggested that the room Jesus is reserving for Glenn is in the wine cellar where Glenn will continue to teach us about good wine and how to love the Lord.
Before the sermon, our friend Keith Wassum, Steve Nagy (a co-worker and former neighbor of Glenn's), and Patrick (Glenn's son) gave touching and often funny remembrances of Glenn. What came through was Glenn's steady hand, his love of life (and good wine!), and his reflection of God's Love through his equal acceptance and love for CEO's and guests at Room in the Inn. We celebrated Glenn's ability to be totally present in the moment and to love people with a quiet understanding of their needs and delights.
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| Steve explaining Glenn's care with designing pans! |
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| Patrick represented the family and spoke about how Glenn was not only his mentor, but a quiet mentor to many of his friends. |
OBSERVATIONS
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| Meghan receives her red stole, a gift from the congregation |
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| A row of Clergy, including our friend, Dick Little |
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| Meghan and our friend, Leo Peeler His Seminarian Fund has helped 16 sons and daughters of our congregation |
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| Patrick, Forest, and several men of the congregation cooked BBQ to use at Glenn's Celebration. David said he helped... by mostly drinking good beer and regaling stories of Glenn! |
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| Glenn played French horn in the brass band at Calvary Moravian Church when they lived in Winston Salem. A band from Peace and New Beginnings Moravian Churches honored Glenn by playing as folks entered the church. |
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| Pink shirts and ties to honor Glenn Keith, Dick, Dan and Dave: Glenn's Winos!! (Or the Spirits based, Spiritual group!) |
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| Glenn was also loved by our children Clay and Emily with Allie Wassum at the reception. I especially enjoyed being in church with them and feeling their support. |
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