Rev Patsy Brunidge

FOR GENERAL USE IN SERVICES OF DEATH AND RESURRECTION

Romans 14:7 –9

We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

From John 16

[Jesus said] ‘A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me.’ When a woman is in labour, she has pain, because her hour has come. But when her child is born, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy of having brought a human being into the world. So you have pain now; but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!’

Almighty God, our Father, from whom we come, and to whom our spirits return:

You have been our dwelling place in all generations.

You are our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Grant us your blessing in this hour, and enable us so to put our trust in you

that our spirits may grow calm and our hearts be comforted.

Lift our eyes beyond the shadows of earth,

and help us to see the light of eternity.

So may we find grace and strength for this and every time of need;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

I am very grateful for the invitation to participate in this service, and thankful especially for Rev Kellie, who gave me permission to speak of my own personal experience of Patsy before I offer the pastoral prayer. When I think of Patsy, two ideas come to mind: generosity, and of course, holy boldness.

Holy Boldness

Everyone knows Patsy’s signature phrase, “Holy Boldness!” This was much more than a catchphrase or cliche. For me, Patsy’s holy boldness had to do with how she understood her calling as a pastor. Rev Kerry Smith, pastor at Greenland Hills UMC in Dallas and another cog in the Oak Lawn wheel of ministry, shared with me how much she learned about ministry and living out one’s calling as a female clergy just by watching how Patsy carried herself. My friend Rev Kelly Smith of Pittsburgh PA, who also rolled through Oak Lawn in the early 2000s, said of Patsy, “She was a strong clergywoman before strong clergywomen were a thing.” 

“What are we going to do about it?”

I don’t know how many times I heard Patsy ask that question. It seemed like every sermon, every staff meeting, every Administrative Council meeting, every Saints Alive gathering, she would ask anyone within ear shot: what are we going to do about all these apartments going up around us? (This was years before Uptown became one of Dallas’ hottest and trendiest places for development; Patsy saw it coming). When everyone in the building was focused on the existing congregation and keeping longstanding traditions going, Patsy pushed, pulled, challenged, the church to look beyond its doors. One of her favorite annual ministries at Oak Lawn was an Easter sunrise experience, “From Darkness to Light,” which would intentionally end on the steps of the church, the people facing outward toward the community. What are we going to do about it? It’s a question every pastor and leader should be asking in their respective churches. Too few ask. Even fewer act. Holy Boldness

Generosity

Patsy and I met and served together at Oak Lawn; she was recently retired, I was newly ordained. So there was a generational gap between us-- she was actually only six years younger than my grandmother, I realized this week. I would often, possibly too often, find myself in her office or at lunch or even at her lakehouse. She always had an open door- she was generous with her knowledge, her energy, her listening. We were both associate pastors, and with that position comes a certain amount of freedom to create, challenge, and plotting. Patsy and I loved plotting together. One particular summer the associates were going to have the run of the place, and we had the most fun making plans for sermons and studies and activities. We felt like rebels, almost. In fact, I have here a copy of her book Hope for a Widow’s Shattered World, co-authored with her dear friend Pat Millican. Patsy inscribed it with the words, “To Frank- in appreciation of our shared ministry, especially the sensational summer program- what fun!”

This is what I mean about generosity: Patsy was generous in sharing her insights, her creativity, her wisdom. Her book is filled with her own experiences of widowhood. Carefully and thoughtfully constructed, it guides the widow through the process of grief and recovery. As I thumbed through the pages over the recent days, I found this: “A widow’s work can be divided into three tasks: surviving, stretching, and moving.

Surviving requires women to stand on their own two feet, saying, ‘I will endure.’

Stretching begins with a few tentative steps toward more difficult activities, saying, ‘I will struggle.’

Moving is a time of action, living out the resolve, ‘I will grow and change.’

The other day I discovered a hymn written about a dozen years ago by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette following the death of her mother in law. It’s sung to the tune of Amazing Grace. It is inspired by Simeon's canticle found in Luke 2:29-32. 

Lord, Let Your Servant Go in Peace

Lord, Let Your Servant Go in Peace, your Word has been fulfilled. Because we’ve seen your saving grace we know that all is well.

Lord, let your servants daily know that we are not alone, and may we find wherever we go, you’ll lead us safely home.

Patsy survived, stretched and moved throughout her life and ministry. After 88 years, she has earned her blessed rest in the Lord. For as long as you and I continue in this life, may we honor Patsy’s memory by enduring, struggling, growing and changing, sharing hospitality and holy boldness wherever God places us. Let us pray.

Out of the depths we cry to you, O Lord. Hear our voice.

We wait for you, O God. Our souls wait for you.

Give us now your word of hope. We know your love is steadfast, always there when we need it. Let us feel your presence now in our time of sorrow.

Help us to look to tomorrow to see hope beyond grief.

O God, you are the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.

You breathed into us the breath of life, and watched over us all our days.

Now, in time of death, we return Patsy to you, trusting in your steadfast love. O Jesus Christ our risen Lord, you have gone before us in death. Grant us the assurance of your presence, that we who are anxious and fearful in the face of death may confidently face the future, in the knowledge that you have prepared a place for all who love you. 

O God, giver of life and conqueror of death, our help in every time of trouble,

Comfort us who mourn; and give us grace, in the presence of death, to worship you, that we may have sure hope of eternal life and be enabled to put our whole trust in your goodness and mercy;

Almighty God, our Father, from whom we come,

and to whom our spirits return: You have been our dwelling place in all generations. You are our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Grant us your blessing in this hour, and enable us so to put our trust in you

that our spirits may grow calm and our hearts be comforted.

Lift our eyes beyond the shadows of earth, and help us to see the light of eternity.

So may we find grace and strength for this and every time of need;

Depart in peace, dear sister Patsy;

in the name of God the Father who created you;

in the name of Christ who redeemed you;

in the name of the Holy Spirit who sanctifies you.

May you rest in peace, and dwell for ever with the Lord.