IWR News
Obituaries
- Lutherans Concerned/North America celebrates the life and prophetic witness of Krister Stendahl
- Rev. John Mack died peacefully and surrounded by family
- Rabbi Sherwin Wine has died
- Celebrating the Life, Ministry & Legacy of Letty Russell
- Remembering Yolanda King
- It is with heavy hearts that we report the passing of Vaughn Beckman
April 17, 2008
Krister Stendahl, pastor, bishop, teacher, theologian, and former Dean of the Faculty of Divinity at Harvard Divinity School, died at the age of 86 following several years of illness. He was a stalwart advocate for full inclusion of LGBT people in the life of the church he so loved.
Indeed, it was he who first used "extra ordinem" and "extraordinary" to describe the ordinations of Ruth Frost, Phyllis Zilhart, and Jeff Johnson in 1990. Stendahl, then the Myra and Robert Kraft and Jacob Hiatt Distinguished Professor of Christian Studies at Brandeis University, wrote celebrating St. Francis Lutheran and First United Lutheran congregations for the courage to call openly gay and lesbian pastors.
In a letter to the three ordinands, he said "Since I cannot be with you at your ordination which--it seems--must take place 'extra ordinem,' I want to send you a greeting affirming my conviction that the steps that your congregations and you are taking stand well before God."
In 2001, in keeping with his commitment to the Gospel that is all inclusive, he was able to be present for the "extra ordinem" ordination of Anita Hill, who was called to serve at St. Paul-Reformation Lutheran in St. Paul, Minnesota. Emily Eastwood reports that on the day of the ordination she asked Stendahl what he wished to be addressed as publicly, given his many titles. He paused and said with a twinkle in his eye, "Today, given what is about to happen here, you must address me as Bishop."
All three congregations were punished for their actions: St. Francis and First United were removed from the ELCA; St. Paul-Reformation was censured.
Dean of the Harvard Faculty of Divinity from 1968 to 1979, he was known for his skill in guiding that institution through a transformation to a more diverse student body, faculty and curriculum, with "an astute, sometimes blunt decisiveness that was tempered by his wry humor and his enormous gift for listening, which were part of a complete, and consistent, pastoral presence," as Harvard reports.
While Bishop of Stockholm from 1984-1988, he became known as a reformer on women's ordination, the relationship of the church and the state, as well as continuing to advocate for gay and lesbian rights.
Lutherans Concerned/North America celebrates the life and prophetic witness of Krister Stendahl and joins in the prayers of consolation for his family and friends at his passing. He will always be a bright light in the firmament of those committed to full inclusion of all God's people in the life of God's church.
A memorial service is planned for Friday, May 16, at 3 p.m. in Harvard's Memorial Church. See Harvard Divinity School's website, www.hds.harvard.edu/news/article_archive/stendahl.html, for their comments on his life and service.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Rev. John Mack, the pastor of the gay-inclusive First Congregational United Church of Christ in Washington, died Tuesday of pulmonary fibrosis contracted on a November hiking trip in Nepal, according to parishioner Sandy Sorensen. He was 65.
Mack grew up in Connecticut and graduated from Princeton University and Union Theological Seminary. He served as an infantry commander in the Marines during the Vietnam War. He was the pastor of a church in Boston until he and his wife Barbara Gerlach, now retired, moved to Washington in 1984 to helm the congregation of First Church, which has been "open and affirming" of its gay members for 30 years.
In 2006, the Metro D.C. chapter of Parents & Friends of Lesbians & Gays recognized Mack with its Faith In Action award, an honor that his church members feel was deserved for the role he played in welcoming gays to his church.
"John's ministry of inclusiveness gave hope to so many people," Sorensen said. "It created an incredible healing space within the ministry and touched so many lives. The message of hope to the GLBT community, that you could be welcome in the church, was such a gift."
Mack is survived by Gerlach and their children, Jessica and Peter.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to First Congregational United Church of Christ, 309 E. Street, NW, Washington, designated to either the Community Chorus or the Dinner Program for Homeless Women.
It is with profound grief that we inform you of the tragic death of Rabbi Sherwin T. Wine, founder of Humanistic Judaism, on Saturday, July 21, 2007. Rabbi Wine and Richard McMains, were vacationing in Morocco. Returning from dinner Saturday evening in Essaouira, their taxicab was hit by another driver. Both Rabbi Wine and the taxi driver were killed instantly. Richard survived the collision and currently is hospitalized in stable condition. We offer our heartfelt sympathy to his family and to all who loved him.
July 13, 2007 - Yesterday we lost one of the most valiant and thoughtful theologians, teachers, writers, visionaries and spirits of our generation, the beloved Letty Russell. More Light Presbyterians gives thanks for the life, ministry and legacy of Letty Russell, and we extend our condolence and prayers to her beloved partner Shannon Clarkson.
WASHINGTON, May 24, 2007 — A memorial service for Yolanda King, the eldest child of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, was held today in Atlanta. Yolanda King, 51, collapsed and died last week. The National Religious Leadership Roundtable remembers her life and legacy.
It is with heavy hearts that we report the passing of Vaughn Beckman early on the morning of September 6, 2006 in Fremont, CA. Although Vaughn had been struggling with cancer, his sudden passing was unexpected. A memorial service is planned for September 16 at The First Christian Church of San Jose, CA.
