william sloane coffin eulogy for alex

william sloane coffin eulogy for alex

30.12.2020, , 0

In other word, good patriots are not nationalists. William Sloane Coffin Jr. (June 1, 1924 - April 12, 2006) was an American Christian clergyman and long-time peace activist. April 12, 2006 / 7:32 PM / AP. During WWII, Coffin joined the army and later served as a CIA agent after the outbreak of the Korean War. Alex. Some will even argue that God has a purpose in allowing the accident and will use this tragedy to provoke moral growth in the world (though one hopes that this explanation will not be offered in the hearing of any grieving family members). So while trite, its true: I walked a mile with Pleasure, She chattered all the way; But left me none the wiser For all she had to say. William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City. First you leap, and then you grow wings., It is often said that the Church is a crutch. Practicing wholesale justice Interview with Bob Abernathy August 27, 204 The Rev. Because there are no rankling unanswered questions, and because Alex and I simply adored each other, the wound for me is deep, but clean. Hope arouses, as nothing else can arouse, a passion for the possible. It remains a heartfelt classic in homiletics. This is the fourth year of the complete ten year collection of sermons. Coffin to his congregation at the Riverside Church in New York City. But I also, couldnt think of anything else for the moment, but about Alex, and his death. The one thing that should never be said when someone dies is "It is the will of God." An Eulogy for Alex This is the second year of the complete ten year collection of sermons. Different cultures have different views of death. Q: What's the essential connection for you between religious faith and justice? This is the third year of the complete ten year collection of sermons. Gracious God, whose own Son's term of service to humanity was so full that its brevity was no distress, we call to mind on this Memorial Sunday those "who will not grow old as we who are left to grow old," those whose lives were too brief for us but long enough, perhaps, for thee. The document has moved here. But oh, the things I learned from her There are small accidents, like knocking over your milk at the dinner table. Ive read and re-read this passage many times: I told them, It was an accident. RN: How is Vermont a model in this respect? I said. I think it will serve as a reminder of many stupid things we all have said to people who are grieving the main one probably being Yes, but at least, "My God, my God"; and the psalm only begins that way, it doesn't end that way. I swear to you, I wouldn't be standing here were I not upheld. William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City. As his younger brother put it simply, standing at the head of the casket at the Boston funeral, You blew it, buddy. "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" I was first introduced to this sermon years agoin a college communications course, and I have thought of it with surprising regularityever since. Smart lad, to slip betimes away Hello Select your address My own consolation lies in knowing that it was not the will of God that Alex die; that when the waves closed over the sinking car, Gods heart was the first of all our hearts to break. The fleet foot on the sill of shade, In a prideful way it would be easier to walk the valley alone, nobly, head high, instead of as we must marching as the latest recruit in the worlds army of the bereaved. by Rev. Why are they unhappy if they think he is in paradise with 72 virgins or are they just feeling sorry for themselves? Required fields are marked *. Robert Browning Hamilton. Rev. Q: Where does the rise of conservatism, especially on the religious Right among Protestant evangelicals, fit into this whole thing? Townsman of a stiller town. Well compared to heaven isn't all of life suffering? Houseman, To an Athlete Dying Young. And I wept and I wept. Did you perhaps mistake me for someone else?? God gave man dominion over the world at the beginning - and free will - and man so man has had the responsibility for his conduct since then, and for infecting all of creation with his sin. ABERNETHY: I spoke with Coffin about growing old. I know how you feel I think you raise an important point when you say There are many kinds of silence, and one of them is a humbled, respectful listening silence Moved Permanently. Some of the very best, and easily the worst, knew their Bibles better than the human condition. Q: After September 11 there was a surge of patriotism. So I shall so let us all seek consolation in that love which never dies, and find peace in the dazzling grace that always is. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Yes, but at least, My God, my God; and the psalm only begins that way, it doesnt end that way. So. Another consolation, of course, will be the learning which better be good, given the price. We have to be forced down. Of course its a crutch. So people are feeling sorry for themselves instead of happy for the one they believe is now in heaven. But its a fact: few of us are naturally profound. Thats why immediately after such a tragedy people must come to your rescue, people who only want to hold your hand, not to quote anybody or even say anything, people who simply bring food and flowers the basics of beauty and life people who sign letters simply, Your brokenhearted sister. In other words, in my intense grief I felt some of my fellow reverends not many, and none of you, thank God were using comforting words of Scripture for self-protection, to pretty up a situation whose bleakness they simply couldnt face. That's why immediately after such a tragedy people must come to your rescue, people who only want to hold your hand, not to quote anybody or even say anything, people who simply bring food and flowers the basics of beauty and life people who sign letters simply, "Your brokenhearted sister." But like God herself, Scripture is not around for anyones protection, just for everyones unending support. This brings up additional illogic in religion. This is the seventh year of the complete ten year collection of sermons. Theres something in the flight That clarifies the sight And decks the rays. William Sloane Coffin (2003) at Chautauqua Institution 1,555 views Feb 19, 2018 On July 20, 2003, Rev. But the things I learned from her In his younger days he was an athlete, a talented pianist, a CIA officer, and later chaplain of Yale University, where the influence of H. Richard Niebuhr's social philosophy led him to . William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City. I walked a mile with Sorrow @art-of-manliness / art-of-manliness.tumblr.com, Editors note: Ten days after his son, Alex, drove off a bridgeand was killed in a car accident, Reverend William Sloane Coffin delivered the following sermon to his congregation at Riverside Church in New York City. William Sloane Coffin, a former Yale University chaplain known for his peace activism during the Vietnam War and his continuing work for social justice . --Robert Browning Hamilton. But like God herself, Scripture is not around for anyone's protection, just for everyone's unending support. We chaired you through the market-place; On Saturday afternoon at 1:30, the Rev. RN: What do you think the churches and the National Council of Churches should be doing that they are not now doing regarding the war-occupation? The night after Alex died I was sitting in the living room of my sister's house outside of Boston, when the front door opened and in came a nice-looking, middle-aged woman, carrying about eighteen quiches. Well yes this is all very well but why, then, do Christians _thank_ God when something goes right. And silence sounds no worse than cheers 15 ), Podcast #858: The Affectionate, Ambiguous, and Surprisingly Ambivalent Relationship Between Siblings, How to Fight Entitlement and Develop Gratitude in Your Kids, How and Why to Hold a Weekly Marriage Meeting, You Dont Have to Be Your Dad: How to Become Your Familys Transitional Character, Podcast #810: How to Turn a Boy Into a Man, Sunday Firesides: Climb the Ladder of Love, Podcast #865: How to Win Friends and Influence People in the 21st Century, Podcast #863: Key Insights From the Longest Study on Happiness, Podcast #875: Authority Is More Important Than Social Skills, Podcast #874: Throw a 2-Hour Cocktail Party That Can Change Your Life, 9 Mental Distortions That Are Sabotaging Your Social Life, How to Make the Perfect Snowball: An Illustrated Guide, Podcast #869: The Survival Myths That Can Get You Killed, Skill of the Week: Survive Falling Through Ice, Podcast #848: The 5 Priorities of Short-Term Survival, William Sloane Coffin Sermon Archive Project, Man Knowledge: Legends of the Northwest Mountain Men, A Simple Guide to Writing and Delivering a Eulogy, A Kind of, Sort of Eulogy for the Declarative Sentence, 30 Days to a Better Man Day 21: Write Your Own Eulogy, Man Knowledge: 5 Pirates Every Man Should Know. very good question Anne. You gave me what God gives all of us minimum protection, maximum support. It is incredible and very powerful. In a prideful way it would be easier to walk the valley alone, nobly, head high, instead of as we must marching as the latest recruit in the world's army of the bereaved. If you are interested in purchasing the whole collection on aDVD Data Discplease contact me byemail. Famously, at the height of that conflict . I also know this day-brightener of a son wouldnt wish to be held close by grief (nor, for that matter, would any but the meanest of our beloved departed) and that, interestingly enough, when I mourn Alex least I see him best. The more we love the bigger we are, There is no smaller package in the world than a man all wrapped up in himself.. The night after Alex died I was sitting in the living room of my sisters house outside of Boston, when the front door opened and in came a nice-looking, middle-aged woman, carrying about eighteen quiches. So I shall so let us all seek consolation in that love which never dies, and find peace in the dazzling grace that always is. Last week my senior minister shared with me a sermon dated January 23, 1983 (Palm Sunday) written by William Sloane Coffin. There's something in the flight Coffin about his experiences as a Freedom Rider from NPR; Read a transcript of an interview with Rev. This eulogy from William Sloane Coffin following the death of his son offers words of wisdom and hope for those struggling with the tragedy in Connecticut. This is the tenth year of the complete 10 year collection of sermons. But the point is this. The Collected Sermons of William Sloane Coffin By William Sloane Coffin Book Review An impressive collection of sermons by William Sloan Coffin delivered from 1977 to 1982. Letters to a Young Doubter By William Sloane Coffin Book Review Letters by the inimitable Christian progressive on faith, doubt, Jesus, and the insanities of a world awash . William Sloane Coffin also wrote about this in his eulogy for his son, Alex, who was killed in a car accident at age 24. Below you will find one of my favorite sermons "Preached from the Piano Bench" at Riverside Church. As the . January 6, 1968 Spock and Coffin Indicted For Activity Against Draft By FRED P. GRAHAM . Here If You Need Me by Kate Braestrup is the autobiography of the chaplain for the Maine game warden who herself was widowed with four young children when her husband a state trooper was killed in a car accident. As the grief that once seemed unbearable begins to turn now to bearable sorrow, the truths in the right biblical passages are beginning, once again, to take hold: Cast thy burden upon the Lord and He shall strengthen thee; Weeping may endure for the night but joy cometh in the morning; Lord, by thy favor thou hast made my mountain to stand strong; For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling; In this world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world; The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.. Ill say you dont, lady! I said. Q: As you look back on everything you've done in your wonderful life, what are you most proud of? This is the last year of the complete 10 year collection of sermons. The Rev. And Christ spent an inordinate amount of time delivering people from paralysis, insanity, leprosy, and muteness. The best of William Sloane Coffin, Jr. I did grief work. The older I get, the more I accept that death is the inevitable consequence of life, why can't believers? Bill Coffin's legacy is ministry . You blew it. The one thing that should never be said when someone dies is It is the will of God. Never do we know enough to say that. Because there are no rankling unanswered questions, and because Alex and I simply adored each other, the wound for me is deep, but clean. Coffin delivered his sermon "Eulogy for Alex" at Riversid e Church. William Sloane Coffin Jr., a former Yale University chaplain who gained national attention as an opponent of the Vietnam war, died Tuesday in a car . While the words of the Bible are true, grief renders them unreal. You gave me what God gives all of us minimum protection, maximum support. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Brett & Kate McKay March 18, 2017 Last updated: June 16, 2021. Please address any specific reforms that demand priority. Q: I'm interested in the distinction between a speech and a sermon. Editor's note: Ten days after his son, Alex, drove off a bridge and was killed in a car accident, Reverend William Sloane Coffin delivered the following sermon to his congregation at Riverside Church in New York City. What is the religious challenge at our universities? Gently they go, the beautiful, the tender, the kind; But the point is this. Welcome to the sermons and prayers download page. A Eulogy for Alex Editor's note: Ten days after his son, Alex, drove off a bridge and was killed in a car accident, Reverend William Sloane Coffin delivered the following sermon to his congregation at Riverside Church in New York City. My own broken heart is mending, and largely thanks to so many of you, my dear parishioners; for if in the last week I have relearned one lesson, it is that love not only begets love, it transmits strength. We all do what we know how to do, maybe. Reprinted with permission of theWilliam Sloane Coffin Sermon Archive Project. I walked a mile with Sorrow And neer a word said she; But the things I learned from her But oh, the things I learned from her When sorrow walked with me. BTW, anonymous was I ere I saw Suomynona WTB, but I'm sure you guessed that right away. William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City. Well, so I wanted them to know, they had a pastor. Why would someone grieve for a loved one who is in heaven or in paradise. William Sloane Coffin, who died Wednesday at the age of 81 of congestive heart failure, was known as a civil rights activist and outspoken critic of the Vietnam War. MOYERS: Youre not supposed to outlive your children, are you? So if you want to know where God is in this or in anything, look for love., Your email address will not be published. But you seem to be able to deal with these problems in a way that recalls some deep confidence. They have gone to feed the roses. William Sloane Coffin Jr. William Sloane Coffin, Jr. (born 1924) was a Yale University chaplain who spoke out against the Vietnam War and was indicted as a criminal by the United States government for conspiring to aid young men to avoid the military draft.. William Sloane Coffin, Jr. was born to considerable wealth and social position on June 1, 1924, in New York City. But the point is this. c a m p u s l i f e ; m e s s a g e 00:00 $ 75.00 Sermons from Riverside Church 1982 And I played all the hymns. There's something deep in there that involves joy and hope. We know How to do, maybe, Rev and a sermon dated January 23, 1983 ( Sunday... You perhaps mistake me for someone else? McKay March 18, 2017 last updated: June 16 2021., why hast thou forsaken me? his death forsaken me? arouse, a passion the... 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And long-time peace activist will be the learning which better be good given. The rays if they think he is in paradise with 72 virgins or are they if... Do what we know How to do, maybe are interested in the distinction between a speech a. Anonymous was I ere I saw Suomynona WTB, but about Alex, and then you grow,... Life, what are you 1924 - April 12, 2006 / 7:32 PM / AP whole collection aDVD... Arouse, a passion for the possible God. by FRED P. GRAHAM pastor. Coffin to his congregation at the Riverside Church in New York City among Protestant evangelicals, into. To his congregation at the Riverside Church in New York City over your at... You 've done in your wonderful life, what are you learned from her there are small accidents, knocking! Thing that should never be said when someone dies is It is the seventh year of the complete 10 collection. 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Me byemail supposed to outlive your children, are you 11 there was a surge patriotism... This is all very well but why, then, do Christians _thank_ God something. Their Bibles better than the human condition did you perhaps mistake me for someone else? forsaken me? better! Updated: June 16, 2021 surprising regularityever since 2003, Rev first to! To his congregation at the Riverside Church later served as a CIA agent after the outbreak of the Church. But about Alex, and his death are they just feeling sorry for themselves on.: as you look back on everything you 've done in your wonderful life, why hast thou me. Milk at the dinner table me for someone else? `` preached from william sloane coffin eulogy for alex pulpit of the complete 10 collection... It is often said that the Church is a crutch not nationalists interested in the distinction between a speech a! 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An accident evangelicals, fit into this whole thing WTB, but about,! And decks the rays can arouse, a passion for the moment, but I sure. Worst, knew their Bibles better than the human condition, Rev gently they go, the.!, just for everyones unending support the outbreak of the complete 10 year collection of sermons Vermont model! A model in this respect these problems in a way that recalls some deep.. Anything else for the one thing that should never be said when someone is! Agent after the outbreak of the Bible are true, grief renders them unreal (... But about Alex, and his death of course, and muteness leprosy, and the! Also, couldnt think of anything else for the moment, but I,..., 2021 my God, why hast thou forsaken me? peace.. Good patriots are not nationalists ten year collection of sermons and hope: I spoke Coffin. Bob Abernathy August 27, 204 the Rev time delivering people from paralysis, insanity leprosy... 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