Dispatch from Forbearance Presbyterian Church: Words of Remembrance by Charlotte Johnstone

It would have to be, Rev. Hustisford sighed, what he had come to call a “surrogate-word funeral”—a final service for a not-so-dearly-departed Forbearance member. A service containing a eulogy—“words of remembrance”—that would drive him to mine his thesaurus for euphemisms and alternate phrases to describe someone who long ago had worn out her welcome among most of the congregation. On the one hand, she deserved dignity and forgiveness as a child of God. On the other hand, though, there was the reality of frayed relationships, harsh words and broken trust. Rev. Hustisford suspected that many who attended the service would be there primarily to see how he would handle that portion of the proceedings—a regrettable motive, perhaps, but one that was somewhat understandable.

What church member tested her faith community and Rev. Hustisford’s patience and kindness—and reminds us that God loves us in spite of ourselves? Find out in the May/June issue of Horizons!

Call (800) 524-2612 or subscribe to Horizons or order the May/June 2008 issue (HZN-08-220; $4 plus shipping).

Charlotte Johnstone is a member of Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Along with the cast of Forbearance Presbyterian Church, she welcomes comments. Write to her at Horizons, 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville KY 40202-1396, or email wjohns4949@att.net. Some of Charlotte’s most beloved tales from Forbearance are available in the book, Annie the Kitchen Queen and Other Dispatches from Forbearance Presbyterian Church. Order Item HZN-06-304 through Presbyterian Distribution Service (PDS), 800/524-2612. $10.00 plus shipping and handling.

Illustration by Annette Cable

Other Articles Online This Issue

Devotional
A New Day and a New World
Presbyterian Politics in Action
What Does the Church Say?
Celebrating 100 Years of Social Awareness
Citizens for 1 Greater New Orleans
Interview with Cindy Ryu (English)
The Politics of Mission
Blessings without Boundaries
Dispatch from Forbearance Presbyterian Church
Mosaic
Nurturing Faith
Faithful Parenting
Strengthening the PC(USA)


What church member tested her faith community and Rev. Hustisford’s patience and kindness—and reminds us that God loves us in spite of ourselves? Find out in the May/June issue of Horizons! Call (800) 524-2612 or subscribe to Horizons or order the May/June 2008 issue (HZN-08-220; $4 plus shipping).	Words of Remembrance by Charlotte Johnstone It would have to be, Rev. Hustisford sighed, what he had come to call a “surrogate-word funeral”—a final service for a not-so-dearly-departed Forbearance member. A service containing a eulogy—“words of remembrance”—that would drive him to mine his thesaurus for euphemisms and alternate phrases to describe someone who long ago had worn out her welcome among most of the congregation. On the one hand, she deserved dignity and forgiveness as a child of God. On the other hand, though, there was the reality of frayed relationships, harsh words and broken trust. Rev. Hustisford suspected that many who attended the service would be there primarily to see how he would handle that portion of the proceedings—a regrettable motive, perhaps, but one that was somewhat understandable. What church member tested her faith community and Rev. Hustisford’s patience and kindness—and reminds us that God loves us in spite of ourselves? Find out in the May/June issue of Horizons! Call (800) 524-2612 or subscribe to Horizons or order the May/June 2008 issue (HZN-08-220; $4 plus shipping). Charlotte Johnstone is a member of Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Along with the cast of Forbearance Presbyterian Church, she welcomes comments. Write to her at Horizons, 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville KY 40202-1396, or email wjohns4949@att.net. Some of Charlotte’s most beloved tales from Forbearance are available in the book, Annie the Kitchen Queen and Other Dispatches from Forbearance Presbyterian Church. Order Item HZN-06-304 through Presbyterian Distribution Service (PDS), 800/524-2612. $10.00 plus shipping and handling. Illustration by Annette Cable Other Articles Online This Issue Devotional A New Day and a New World Presbyterian Politics in Action What Does the Church Say? Celebrating 100 Years of Social Awareness Citizens for 1 Greater New Orleans Interview with Cindy Ryu (English) The Politics of Mission Blessings without Boundaries Dispatch from Forbearance Presbyterian Church Mosaic Nurturing Faith Faithful Parenting Strengthening the PC(USA)	Current Issue MAY/JUNE 2008 About This Issue Contents FREE Resource How to Use In Our Next Issue Items underlined can be seen in this Web site, all others appear in the May/June 2008 (HZN-08-220) issue of Horizons magazine. to Horizons, call (800) 524-2612 or this issue ($4 plus shipping/handling)

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