I read someone say recently that this is only a training ground for eternity. For some reason, nothing so infuriates me as the incapacity of seemingly intelligent people to get it through their heads that God doesnt go around this world with his fingers on triggers, his fists around knives, his hands on steering wheels. Because there are no rankling unanswered questions, and because Alex and I simply adored each other, the wound for me is deep, but clean. William Sloane Coffin May God give you the grace never to sell yourself short; Grace to risk something big for something good; and Grace to remember the world is now too dangerous for anything but the truth and too small for anything but love. For all she had to say. William Sloane Coffin Jr. in 1986. Nowhere in the scripture does it say, God is car accident or God is death. God is justice and kindness, mercy, and always always love. Crowned with lilies and Laurel they go; but I am not resigned. -- William Sloane Coffin. Unfortunately he left the building April 12th, 2006. That is what makes the valley of the shadow of death seem so incredibly dark and unending. RN: What broader advice do you have for strengthening our democracy and confronting the concentration of power and wealth over the life sustaining directions our country (with its impact on the world) needs to take? Last week my senior minister shared with me a sermon dated January 23, 1983 (Palm Sunday) written by William Sloane Coffin. Get All Beings Everywhere delivered to your inbox. Well, that really is selfish and here I thought some believers like Christians are supposed to be charitable. But I also, couldnt think of anything else for the moment, but about Alex, and his death. Updated February 2023. If a week ago last Monday, a lamp went out, it was because, for him at least, the Dawn had come. But when children die, they take away the future as well. Thursday, February 15, 2007. Why would someone grieve for a loved one who is in heaven or in paradise. There are many kinds of silence, and one of them is a humbled, respectful, listening silence. Another consolation, of course, will be the learning which better be good, given the price. Actually, its even more worth a listen; its considerably more powerful inthe oral form in which it was delivered, and the audio can be accessed here. Among the healing flood of letters that followed his death was one carrying this wonderful quote from the end of Hemingways A Farewell to Arms: The world breaks everyone, then some become strong at the broken places.. Rev. And neer a word said she; And decks the rays. The one thing that should never be said when someone dies is "It is the will of God." RN: What about the Educational system as it relates to democracy? William Sloane Coffin, Jr. was born June 1, 1924, in New York City. Ten days after his son, Alex, was killed in a car accident, Reverend William Sloane Coffin delivered this sermon to his congregation at Riverside Church in New York City. is the blossom. Quietly they go, the intelligent, the witty, the brave. "Eulogy for Alex" by William Sloane Coffin Something I wrestle with is the balance between pastoral presence and prophetic witness as a minister. What makes you think you dont limp?, Love measures our stature. William Sloane Coffin Compassion, Sentimental, Individual William Sloane Coffin (2004). It withers quicker than the rose. 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 couldn't face. The best of William Sloane Coffin, Jr. But when children die, they take away the future as well. Than by a wick that stays. Q: It must make you terribly frustrated to see all the things you think are wrong and not being righted, and not be able to play the part in leading those movements that you once did. She chattered all the way; Of late there have been a few deaths of former classmates or their spouses and what has struck me is how often God is at the helm of these deaths. --Robert Browning Hamilton. And Christ spent an inordinate amount of time delivering people from paralysis, insanity, leprosy, and muteness. So if someone says, "Are you saved?" Some of the very best, and easily the worst, knew their Bibles better than the human condition. The Rev. 2023 Barbara Becker / All Beings Everywhere. William Crawley | 12:42 UK time, Friday, 27 July 2007. 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 Among the healing flood of letters that followed his death was one carrying this wonderful quote from the end of Hemingway's "A Farewell to Arms": "The world breaks everyone, then some become strong at the broken places.". Some of the very best, and easily the worst, knew their Bibles better than the human condition. For some reason, nothing so infuriates me as the incapacity of seemingly intelligent people to get it through their heads that God doesn't go around this world with his fingers on triggers, his fists around knives, his hands on steering wheels. It is incredible and very powerful. While the words of the Bible are true, grief renders them unreal. 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. Details are given further below. This is the second year of the complete ten year collection of sermons. That clarifies the sight Different cultures have different views of death. Rev. But violent deaths, such as the one Alex died to understand those is a piece of cake. The Coffin award is given in honor of the life and ministry of William Sloane Coffin, former Chaplain to the University and one of the 20th century's most significant religious leaders. I said. There was a funny one on the Twilight Zone where as I recall, the story opens with people from all over a small Western town sitting around in a bar lamenting the loss of their beloved dearly departed. He was ordained in the Presbyterian church and later received ministerial standing in the United Church of Christ. And then, Im a preacher. We have to be forced down. Itsjust one of those things I think is worth a read by all. So while trite, it's true: I walked a mile with Pleasure, So if you want to know where God is in this or in anything, look for love., Your email address will not be published. Download Sermon Scripture List(84 kb - PDF). God is dead set against all unnatural deaths. William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City. So it is, and so it will be, for so it has been, time out of mind. The use of Gods will or God has chosen to take whatever the phrase has always made me uncomfortable. Coffin questioned authority throughout his career, using civil . Thanks for posting this. Another consolation, of course, will be the learning which better be good, given the price. Houseman, To an Athlete Dying Young. And I wept and I wept. 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. This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. The more we love the bigger we are, There is no smaller package in the world than a man all wrapped up in himself.. Program, Strengthen Your Tribe: A Report on the Atomic Athlete Vanguard, The Best Riddles for Kids (With Answers! We see acuter quite These are all end of sermon prayers from the Sunday sermon delivered at Riverside Church. May God give you the grace never to sell yourself short; Grace to risk something big for something good; And grace to remember the world is now too dangerous for anything but the truth and too small for anything but love. And the wise mans gone back. I mentioned the healing flood of letters. History The company was founded as a rug importer and seller on March 2, 1843 by William Sloane who had just emigrated from Kilmarnock, Scotland, a town famous for weaving fine carpets and rugs. And set you at your threshold down, Didnt the eagle find a fresh liver to tear in Prometheus every time it dined? When parents die, as my mother did last month, they take with them a large portion of the past. If a week ago last Monday, a lamp went out, it was because, for him at least, the Dawn had come. A formula, A phrase remains.but the best is lost. And hold to the low lintel up One of the most powerful statements in this sermon was the following: The reality of grief is the solitude of pain, the feeling that your heart is in pieces, your mind's We have to be forced down. William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City. Very on the point I think. Embed. 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 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. These sermons were delivered from the pulpit at Riverside Church, N.Y.C. Theres something in the flight Nationalism at the expense of another nation, is just as wicked as racism at the expense of another race. It all makes me wonder if its not a matter of God willing or letting, but more like the laws of nature. The title of the sermon is "Alex's Death" and it comes on the heals of Rev. 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. To them Western attitudes would be incomprehensible. The Theology of William Sloane Coffin Thursday, February 15, 2007 Eulogy for Alex Ten days after his son, Alex, was killed in a car accident, Reverend William Sloane Coffin delivered this sermon to his congregation at Riverside Church in New York City. Q: We've been talking about a lot of big problems. In the fascinating documentary movie Mondo Cane' which was released in 1962, among the strange and seemingly depraved (to Western eyes) behavior is one segment about old people in China who wait around in the upper floor of a house to die while their families are downstairs at a party celebrating their deaths. But its a fact: few of us are naturally profound. Because there are no rankling unanswered questions, and because Alex and I simply adored each other, the wound for me is deep, but clean. And [a lot of people] think that emotional mediocrity is the good life. I know all the "right" biblical passages, including "Blessed are those who mourn," and my faith is no house of rest, came from fellow reverends, a few of whom proved they knew their cards; these passages are true, I know. Quotes. That is what makes the valley of the shadow of death seem so incredibly dark and unending. And thats what hundreds of you understood so beautifully. Another consolation, of course, will be the learning which better be good, given the price. "Hope arouses, as nothing else can arouse, a passion for the possible.". William Sloane Coffin challenged the nation with his passionate calls for social justice. A Prayer by William Sloan Coffin Jr., 1983. The question seems more pointed given the context -- a group of devout believers making a religious pilgrimage -- but the same question is struggled over every day by people of faith who experience suffering or have to watch a loved one suffer. We chaired you through the market-place; Theres something in the flight That clarifies the sight And decks the rays. When parents die, as my mother did last month, they take with them a large portion of the past. #Ignorance #Self #Violence. But assuming they did, if they hadn't (it was supposed to be god's plan all along) there would be no Christian religion and no savior who died to save everyone else. William Sloane Coffin (2003) at Chautauqua Institution 1,555 views Feb 19, 2018 On July 20, 2003, Rev. BBC Northern Ireland presenter William Crawley discusses the often controversial political, religious and ethical issues of the day. Coffin to his congregation at the Riverside Church in New York City. And of course I know, even when pain is deep, that God is good. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. 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. 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. And thats what hundreds of you understood so beautifully. In my email signature, I have this quote by him: The world is too dangerous for anything but truth and too small for anything but love.. Because there are no rankling unanswered questions, and because Alex and I simply adored each other, the wound for me is deep, but clean. Still there is much by way of consolation. Then a miracle working preacher comes to town promising at midnight, all the dead will rise from boot hill and come back to life. Gently they go, the beautiful, the tender, the kind; And find unwithered on its curls Kate Braestrups book is beautiful, and I highly recommend it to all who are seeking answers. tragic death of at least 26 Polish pilgrims, The Faraday Institute for Science and Religion, Jonathan Merritt and the ethics of "outing". But its a fact: few of us are naturally profound. Eyes the shady night has shut http://dlvr.it/Ng3r8d. 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 . William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City. These sermons were delivered from the pulpit at Riverside Church, N.Y.C. Ill say you dont, lady! I said. See more stories about iPad, HBO, How-To. William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City. Bill Coffin's legacy is ministry . I did grief work. 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). This album is a collection of prayers from the end of the sermons; 1982-1983. As his younger brother put it simply, standing at the head of the casket at the Boston funeral, You blew it, buddy. The still-defended challenge-cup. Coffin's son, Alex, tragic death in an automobile accident. While I could never presume to know the answer, I do take comfort in this passage from the author Kate Braestrup, which I wrote in my final post on this blog (below). Hello Select your address In this best-seller, Coffin gives a powerful record of his remarkable public life, offering his. I went right away to the piano. It seems to me for those believers who grieve, their religion brings them little more comfort than those who don't. " William Sloan Coffin, who died yesterday at 81, was among the foremost pacifists of his generation, and set the mold for the liberal activist preacher ." Coffin, the model for Doonesbury's Reverend Sloan, was a Freedom Rider, Yale chaplain, champion for social justice and one of the most respected leaders of the anti-Vietnam war movement. ABERNETHY: In our conversation, Coffin quoted words he liked, words he attributed to Irenaeus, an early church father: "The glory of God is a human being fully alive." Q: Let me ask you to look back a little bit at some of the great movements you were part of. William Sloane Coffin, Jr. was born on June 1, 1924, in New York City to William Sloane Coffin, Sr. and Catherine Butterfield Coffin. When parents die, as my mother did last month, they take with them a large portion of the past. Alex. 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