Skip to main content

Loss, Sorrow, Memories

We bid you goodnight

Like most of the nation and the world, people of Epworth have lost loved ones -- from COVID and some other causes. There may be more we don’t know about but these are the ones we know about.

 


Gabriel "Gabe" Nguyen London, age 10, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly but peacefully in his sleep during the early morning of Saturday, January 23, 2021. Survived by his parents Ruby Nguyen and Hunter London, Jr.; grandparents Robert Berg and Bich Ngoc Nguyen; his grandparents Hunter London, Sr. and Mary Darlene Gregory London.

 


 


Jerome "Jerry" Flatgard, age 69, passed March 6 after fighting prostate cancer for many years. Survived by the love of his life, Nancy Flatgard (daughter of Gene and Mary Ann Davis); sons Scott Lindberg (Rachel) and Ross Flatgard (Carly Heise), granddaughters, siblings, etc


Robert E. Corgan, age 70, died March 1 of complications from COVID-19. Preceded in death by his parents Robert W. and Verna Corgan. brother William (Billy), and sister Virginia Rengel. Survived by sisters Verna Corgan and Tiffany King.

 

 

 


Benjamin Damien Escudero, age 15, passed away due to an unexpected medical condition on, February 19, 2021 in his home.Survived by his parents Sonja Marquez (Reeves) and Joaquin Escudero Jr.; and his brothers Felipe Escudero and Mateo Marquez; aunts, uncles, and cousins.

 

“The Weeping”

by Federico Garcia Lorca

I have shut my windows.

I do not want to hear 

the weeping.

But from behind the grey walls.

Nothing is heard 

but the weeping.

There are few angels that sing.

There are few dogs that bark.

A thousand violins 

fit in the palm of the hand.

But the weeping is 

an immense angel.

The weeping is an immense dog.

The weeping is 

an immense violin.

Tears strangle the wind.

Nothing is heard 

but the weeping.

 


Lay down my dear brother, 

lay down and take your rest

Lay your head 

upon your savior's breast

We love you, but Jesus loves you best

We bid you goodnight, 

goodnight, goodnight

 

“We Bid You Goodnight”

© Songs Of Universal Inc.,

Ice Nine Publishing Co., Inc.

 


Ron Reiser

As we were preparing to put this edition of the Echoes to bed, we received news of the passing. of Pastor Steve Reiser’s dad, Ron Reiser, on March 29. (Click here to read the Pastor's Column where Pastor Steve writes about his dad.)

 

This is the message Pastor Steve sent: Dad passed away last night just before 11:00pm. We were in the room with him. He’ll be cremated this week. We’ll have a Memorial service at some later date … we think in the late summer. Your support has been and continues to be a blessing for me.”

 

Berri added, “Your support has been a blessing for our whole family.” The family we know at Epworth include Ron’s wife Pat; his grandchildren Lilly, Aaron, and Will; and the rest of the family we know from Pastor Steve’s stories about his siblings.

 

May memories of Gabe, Cori, Jerry, Benni, and Ron be a blessing for all who love them.



Arise, my love, my beautiful one,

and come away,

for behold, the winter is past;

the rain is over and gone.

The flowers appear on the earth,

the time of singing has come,

and the voice of the turtledove

is heard in our land.

The fig tree ripens its figs,

and the vines are in blossom;

they give forth fragrance.

Arise, my love, my beautiful one,

and come away.

Song of Solomon 2:10-13


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Grief and Blessings

"The Blessing of Tears" by Eleanor Cowles The Upper Room, March-April 2021   “When I think of God’s blessings, I think of family, friends, sunshine, or even my morning cup of coffee. Until recently, I never considered tears a blessing. … As we walk through life, we often miss blessings hidden in calamities. But while tears can blur our vision, they can also clarify our sight to reveal new truths. Perhaps we can see our way to reach out to someone in pain I believe when we have walked through pain and grief, we may be the path – and there our tears can meet. Truly, tears can be God’s blessing for this life.” CONTENTS  click the title to go to the article Nourishing Faith Adult Class: Joy, Grief, Prayers, “Slum Songs”  Devotional 2021:  Hope in the Wilderness Pastor Appointment: Sorrow, Blessing, Faith Pastor’s Column: God’s Time, God’s Plan   Welcoming All New Meditation Room: Welcome Peace Virtual Mission u 2021 Toy Library Transitions to WWW United Methodi...

Epworth Devotional 2021

Responses to Hope in the Wilderness   This year’s devotional,  Hope in the Wilderness,  was put together with input from members of the congregation. Some submitted photos, pictures they drew, coloring pages, essays and poetry they or someone else wrote, and quotes. Then everyone was invited to join in conversations with friends and family or on Facebook.  Below are some of the responses received on Epworth Facebook pages. Responses were sparse and far apart timewise. Clearly we missed the fellowship of in-person Lenten Study.   February 19 I decided to color today’s Lenten Devotion. I was praying for people I’ve had the privilege to teach, coach, and train. I recognized the things I learned from those same folks. Who are you nourishing? Or what are you nourishing that will grow and bloom?   March 5 Today’s entry has me meditating on change, constancy, time, and perspective. What does this devotion raise in you? My earliest childhood memories include our ga...

Nancy, Tiffany, and Iza: Happy to be home

Nancy relaxes at home Nancy Caligiuri holds palms delivered to her for Palm Sunday in her beautiful new apartment in West St. Paul closer to her son, Adam, and his family. She is already making new friends since the complex is organized in small communities. We’re happy for you, Nancy! Besides palms, Nancy also holds a stone given to her by Pastor Gail at a worship service when Gail was Epworth’s pastor. Nancy finds comfort in holding it. Welcome back home, Tiffany and Iza! We’re thrilled that Tiffany Mejia and her daughter Izabella relocated back to the Twin Cities in January after living in other states. They now live in Longfellow again.  As Tiffany wrote on her Facebook page after getting her Minnesota license plates, “I guess this means I'm staying. Feels so good to be home!” Pictured on the left: Tiffany with daughters Olivia and Iza (left to right). Olivia is clearly delighted to have her mom and sister back in Minnesota.