I went to Bournemouth today to say farewell to Sylvia. I took a floral tribute on behalf of the church, but her children asked that it be placed in our church for Sunday rather than left at the crematorium, so it has had a round trip of 400 miles. My co-Godparent had come over from Guernsey and there was a good sprinkling of people from Sylvia's past.
Since returning to Bournemouth Sylvia had reconnected with some friends from a New Frontiers church and two wonderful nuns who lived in the local community. From what I heard she had very much been the Sylvia that we learnt to accept and love all those years ago. The funeral was actually paid for by local shopkeepers in the area known as Winton. There were wreaths from a local cafe, Waitrose and Wilkersons. I will never be able to explain how moved we were for that simple act of kindness. It was a real credit to that community that they were able to gather together in that way.
The two nuns organised the details of the funeral and it seems that Sylvia was with them as she was with us. The wonderful thing was that she was accepted without being judged. One of them had sat with her, holding her hand, as she slipped away. They were absolutely certain that Sylvia had made a commitment and even brought her prayer book to place on the coffin.
Naturally our minds and conversation went back to those difficult days. We were pleased to be part of a Christian community that could absorb and respond to those many challenges. It was a remarkable commitment from a remarkable Methodist Church. The details we can leave but I felt God was saying "well done though good and faithful servants".
We used to pray that one day Sylvia's past would be healed. It didn't happen when she was with us and I know that was very difficult for many. As I talked to those who knew her in Winton I got a feeling that they too had a glimpse of the Sylvia that could have been. They saw Sylvia in the process of receiving that healing.
Sylvia is at peace now. She has been healed. God bless her. God bless her children. Give wisdom to Mick and to us, their God parents. Thank you Lord, thank you. It has been an unusual task, but it has been a privilege.
Since returning to Bournemouth Sylvia had reconnected with some friends from a New Frontiers church and two wonderful nuns who lived in the local community. From what I heard she had very much been the Sylvia that we learnt to accept and love all those years ago. The funeral was actually paid for by local shopkeepers in the area known as Winton. There were wreaths from a local cafe, Waitrose and Wilkersons. I will never be able to explain how moved we were for that simple act of kindness. It was a real credit to that community that they were able to gather together in that way.
The two nuns organised the details of the funeral and it seems that Sylvia was with them as she was with us. The wonderful thing was that she was accepted without being judged. One of them had sat with her, holding her hand, as she slipped away. They were absolutely certain that Sylvia had made a commitment and even brought her prayer book to place on the coffin.
Naturally our minds and conversation went back to those difficult days. We were pleased to be part of a Christian community that could absorb and respond to those many challenges. It was a remarkable commitment from a remarkable Methodist Church. The details we can leave but I felt God was saying "well done though good and faithful servants".
We used to pray that one day Sylvia's past would be healed. It didn't happen when she was with us and I know that was very difficult for many. As I talked to those who knew her in Winton I got a feeling that they too had a glimpse of the Sylvia that could have been. They saw Sylvia in the process of receiving that healing.
Sylvia is at peace now. She has been healed. God bless her. God bless her children. Give wisdom to Mick and to us, their God parents. Thank you Lord, thank you. It has been an unusual task, but it has been a privilege.
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1 comments:
I remember discovering that Sylvia had a remarkable knowledge of, and love for, classical music.It was one of those signs that there was more to Sylvia than met the eye.
It is good to read the testimony of the nuns.
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