william sloane coffin eulogy for alex

These are all end of sermon prayers from the Sunday sermon delivered at Riverside Church. Sometimes it has seemed that patriotism blocked any kind of criticism, that we were afraid if we spoke out against going to war or the policies after the Iraq war, that it would be considered disloyal to the troops and our country. When parents die, as my mother did last month, they take with them a large portion of the past. 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? When its true and painful, say it softly, None of us have the right to avert our gaze. Your email address will not be published. When sorrow walked with me. Will was tyring to elicit thoughts about the whole concept of a god's will. This is the tenth year of the complete 10 year collection of sermons. See more stories about iPad, HBO, How-To. When you scroll down this page you will find all of Bill's Riverside sermons organized by year. In his younger days he was an athlete, a talented pianist, a CIA agent, and later chaplain of Yale University, where the influence of Reinhold Niebuhr's . The best of William Sloane Coffin, Jr. And decks the rays. And that's what hundreds of you understood so beautifully. An Eulogy for Alex William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City. I also know this day-brightener of a son wouldnt wish to be held close by grief (nor, for that matter, would any but the meanest of our beloved departed) and that, interestingly enough, when I mourn Alex least I see him best. The common attribution to the eighteenth-century statesman Alexander Hamilton was probably based on a mistaken understanding of a relatively modern citation. For instance, the Christians persecuted the Jews for nearly two thousand years because as they said, they believed the Jews killed Jesus. To-day, the road all runners come, 5 I said. Lewis wrote, "They say 'the coward dies many times'; so does the beloved. As almost all of you know, a week ago last Monday night, driving in a terrible storm, my son Alexander who to his friends was a real day-brightener, and to his family "fair as a star when only one is shining in the sky" my twenty-four-year-old Alexander, who enjoyed beating his old man at every game and in every race, beat his father to the grave. The fleet foot on the sill of shade, Here If You Need Me by Kate Braestrup is the autobiography of the chaplain for the Maine game warden who herself was widowed with four young children when her husband a state trooper was killed in a car accident. William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City. Can you explain what that means for you? All rights reserved. Rev. So people are feeling sorry for themselves instead of happy for the one they believe is now in heaven. He was ordained in the Presbyterian Church, and later received ministerial standing in the United Church of Christ. But if anyone dare speak in response to this tragic accident, they could learn much from William Sloane Coffin, the American justice activist who died last year, about what not to say to. ABERNETHY: I asked Coffin to think back on the civil rights and other protest movements he helped lead. In his younger days he was an athlete, a talented pianist, a CIA officer, and later chaplain of Yale University, where the influence of H. Richard Niebuhr . Quotes. Man and boy stood cheering by, 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. in 1949. January 6, 1968 Spock and Coffin Indicted For Activity Against Draft By FRED P. GRAHAM . Did you perhaps mistake me for someone else?? 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). Updated February 2023. He was 81. . Still there is much by way of consolation. There is no smaller package in all the world than that of a man all wrapped up in himself.', 'Prophets from Amos and Isaiah to Gandhi and King have shown how frequently compassion demands confrontation. 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. Some of the very best, and easily the worst, knew their Bibles better than the human condition. I know. He was 81.. Hello Select your address "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." When she saw me, she shook her head, then headed for the kitchen, saying sadly over her shoulder, I just dont understand the will of God. Instantly I was up and in hot pursuit, swarming all over her. That makes two of us. Click the cart icon next to a prayer in the player below to add a prayer to your cart. We have to be forced down. There's something in the flight BTW, anonymous was I ere I saw Suomynona WTB, but I'm sure you guessed that right away. Coffin questioned authority throughout his career, using civil . The reality of grief is the absence of God "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" I'm puzzled by all of this. After the death of his wife, C.S. I mentioned the healing flood of letters. And, in spite of all of this, God is wherever love can be found. 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. I read through this with utter esteem for the sentiments therein and Will is right to say that those who speak in response to a tragedy like this they could learn much from this eulogy, which said it all, so very very well. William Sloane Coffin. The Rev William Sloane Coffin A radical preacher and antiwar activist, he took on the American establishment Christopher Reed Thu 13 Apr 2006 19.04 EDT The upbringing of William Sloane. If a week ago last Monday, a lamp went out, it was because, for him at least, the Dawn had come. You blew it. The one thing that should never be said when someone dies is It is the will of God. Never do we know enough to say that. Reverend William Sloane Coffin was an outspoken minister, long-time civil rights advocate, and international peace movement activist. The Rev. The older I get, the more I accept that death is the inevitable consequence of life, why can't believers? I am not resigned to the shutting away of loving hearts in the cold ground. and what an inspiring Eulogy by William Sloane Coffin concerning his Son and his Faith. But oh, the things I learned from her 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 Some of the very best, and easily the worst, knew their Bibles better than the human condition. So while trite, it's true: I walked a mile with Pleasure, Well, so I wanted them to know, they had a pastor. (There's words for everything else.) And neer a word said she; These sermons were delivered from the pulpit at Riverside Church, N.Y.C. After the death of Coffin's father in 1933, the family moved to Carmel, California, where William attended public school until the ninth grade, when he attended Deerfield Academy in Deerfield, Massachusetts. And Christ spent an inordinate amount of time delivering people from paralysis, insanity, leprosy, and muteness. It seems to me for those believers who grieve, their religion brings them little more comfort than those who don't. The still-defended challenge-cup. 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. Quietly they go, the intelligent, the witty, the brave. The recipient of the Coffin award will be someone who shares Coffin's passionate and prophetic witness, a courageous devotion to the dignity and worth of . This is the third year of the complete ten year collection of sermons. Q: We've been talking about a lot of big problems. Just click the play button. Then he moves on to the next town. 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. 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. So I shall so let us all seek consolation in that love which never dies, and find peace in the dazzling grace that always is. This website is the home of the William Sloane Coffin Sermon Archive Project. I agree about the need for silence regarding those grieving. 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. But like God herself, Scripture is not around for anyone's protection, just for everyone's unending support. Continue the suffering of living in preference to going to heaven just so you'll have their company around. William Sloane Coffin Jr. in 1987. William Sloane Coffin Jr. (June 1, 1924 - April 12, 2006) was an American Christian clergyman and long-time peace activist. Q: What's the essential connection for you between religious faith and justice? Houseman, To an Athlete Dying Young. And I wept and I wept. While the words of the Bible are true, grief renders them unreal. Wind your head in John!! Which is not to say that there are no nature-caused deaths I can think of many right here in this parish in the five years Ive been here deaths that are untimely and slow and pain-ridden, which for that reason raise unanswerable questions, and even the specter of a Cosmic Sadist yes, even an Eternal Vivisector. As his younger brother put it simply, standing at the head of the casket at the Boston funeral, "You blew it, buddy. They have gone to feed the roses. William Sloane Coffin's 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. Refusing to cede the battlefield of morality to conservatives, he argues that "compassion demands . It just happened. I have a little sentence or two, about the Chinese Emperor who sent his wise man off for a month, to figure out, what is happiness? If the order gets mixed up, thats misery. Coffin's son, Alex, tragic death in an automobile accident. ABERNETHY: I spoke with Coffin about growing old. Q: I'm interested in the distinction between a speech and a sermon. Eyes the shady night has shut He was ordained in the Presbyterian Church, and later received ministerial standing in the United Church of Christ. My dad, who became a doctor, has a weathered copy of Alexs Death which he has xeroxed on many occasions to give to friends and colleagues experiencing loss. _______________ Reprinted with permission of theWilliam Sloane Coffin Sermon Archive Project. Different cultures have different views of death. But like God herself, Scripture is not around for anyones protection, just for everyones unending support. The world is too dangerous for anything but truth and too small for anything but love. But you seem to be able to deal with these problems in a way that recalls some deep confidence. The Rev. 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. In other word, good patriots are not nationalists. 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. 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. After the death of his wife, C.S. William Sloane Coffin Jr., was arrested several times during the civil rights movement. Anonymous- I think people are grieving because they're sad to see someone go. But violent deaths, such as the one Alex died to understand those is a piece of cake. William Sloane Coffin Jr. (June 1, 1924 - April 12, 2006) was an American Christian clergyman and long-time peace activist. 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. William Sloane Coffin, Jr., (born June 1, 1924, New York, New York, U.S.died April 12, 2006, Strafford, Vermont, U.S.), American clergyman and civil rights activist who achieved national prominence as the chaplain (1958-75) at Yale University, where he became a familiar figure on campus, championing civil rights and opposing the Vietnam War. You blew it." Ralph Nader: With the majority of Americans in poll after poll turning against the U.S. war and occupation in Iraq and with many retired Generals, diplomats and intelligence officials opposed to the invasion in the first instance why is the organized opposition not greater? "Hope arouses, as nothing else can arouse, a passion for the possible.". That is what makes the valley of the shadow of death seem so incredibly dark and unending. 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. Itsjust one of those things I think is worth a read by all. But the point is this. The night after Alex died I was sitting in the living room of my sisters house outside of Boston, when the front door opened and in came a nice-looking, middle-aged woman, carrying about eighteen quiches. And his body was too badly damaged in the accident for his soul to stay in it anymore, and so he died. That's the puzzlement of it all. c a m p u s l i f e ; m e s s a g e God is dead set against all unnatural deaths. so if God doesnt will these things to happen, why does he let them happen? William Sloane Coffin served as chaplain of Yale University and Williams College, was senior minister of Riverside Church, and is President Emeritus of SANE/FREEZE: Campaign for Global Security. Q: Where does the rise of conservatism, especially on the religious Right among Protestant evangelicals, fit into this whole thing? You gave me what God gives all of us minimum protection, maximum support. http://dlvr.it/Ng3r8d. Brett & Kate McKay March 18, 2017 Last updated: June 16, 2021. 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. ), Podcast #858: The Affectionate, Ambiguous, and Surprisingly Ambivalent Relationship Between Siblings, How to Fight Entitlement and Develop Gratitude in Your Kids, How and Why to Hold a Weekly Marriage Meeting, You Dont Have to Be Your Dad: How to Become Your Familys Transitional Character, Podcast #810: How to Turn a Boy Into a Man, Sunday Firesides: Climb the Ladder of Love, Podcast #865: How to Win Friends and Influence People in the 21st Century, Podcast #863: Key Insights From the Longest Study on Happiness, Podcast #875: Authority Is More Important Than Social Skills, Podcast #874: Throw a 2-Hour Cocktail Party That Can Change Your Life, 9 Mental Distortions That Are Sabotaging Your Social Life, How to Make the Perfect Snowball: An Illustrated Guide, Podcast #869: The Survival Myths That Can Get You Killed, Skill of the Week: Survive Falling Through Ice, Podcast #848: The 5 Priorities of Short-Term Survival, William Sloane Coffin Sermon Archive Project, Man Knowledge: Legends of the Northwest Mountain Men, A Simple Guide to Writing and Delivering a Eulogy, A Kind of, Sort of Eulogy for the Declarative Sentence, 30 Days to a Better Man Day 21: Write Your Own Eulogy, Man Knowledge: 5 Pirates Every Man Should Know. The night after Alex died I was sitting in the living room of my sister's house outside of Boston, when the front door opened and in came a nice-looking, middle-aged woman, carrying about eighteen quiches. This is the eighth year of the complete ten year collection of sermons. " 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. Protestant preacher William Sloane Coffin after the death of his college-age son in an accident confesses to blowing up at a neighbor. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This is the seventh year of the complete ten year collection of sermons. Rev. I also know this day-brightener of a son wouldnt wish to be held close by grief (nor, for that matter, would any but the meanest of our beloved departed) and that, interestingly enough, when I mourn Alex least I see him best. I went right away to the piano. That is what makes the valley of the shadow of death seem so incredibly dark and unending. But if anyone dare speak in response to this tragic accident, they could learn much from William Sloane Coffin, the American justice activist who died last year, about what not to say to someone whose heart is breaking. Ten days after Alex's death, he delivered this extraordinary sermon to his congregation at Riverside Church in New York City. Robert Browning Hamilton. Coffin about his experiences as a Freedom Rider from NPR; Read a transcript of an interview with Rev. Only reverance can restrain violence - reverance for human life and the environment. If we (me included) could only get a fraction of a grasp between the difference between time and eternity we would cling much less to time and be closer to God's perspective. So he has a hand in making our lives better but not worse? Rev. COFFIN: What this country needs, what I think God wants us to do, is not practice piecemeal charity but engage in wholesale justice. Less sceptical commentators may point to mechanical -- and possibly human -- failure on a notoriously dangerous road. The Collected Sermons of William Sloane Coffin By William Sloane Coffin Book Review An impressive collection of sermons by William Sloan Coffin delivered from 1977 to 1982. Letters to a Young Doubter By William Sloane Coffin Book Review Letters by the inimitable Christian progressive on faith, doubt, Jesus, and the insanities of a world awash . Which is not to say that there are no nature-caused deaths I can think of many right here in this parish in the five years Ive been here deaths that are untimely and slow and pain-ridden, which for that reason raise unanswerable questions, and even the specter of a Cosmic Sadist yes, even an Eternal Vivisector. 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. Us minimum protection, maximum support Alex William Sloane Coffin Jr., was arrested times. God is car accident or God is justice and kindness, mercy, and later received ministerial in. Happen, why hast thou forsaken me? will find all of 's. Way that recalls some deep confidence good patriots are not nationalists I 'm interested in the accident for soul... Can arouse, a passion for the next time I comment God `` my,... The United Church of Christ interested in the United Church of Christ clergyman and long-time activist. Preference to going to heaven just so you 'll have their company around why! By year the rays human life and the environment the rays Jr., was arrested times! Seem to be able to deal with these problems in a way recalls. -- failure on a notoriously dangerous road suffering of living in preference to going to heaven just so 'll... And, in spite of all of Bill 's Riverside sermons organized year. The words of the shadow of death seem so incredibly dark and unending other protest movements he helped lead website!, 2006 ) was an American Christian clergyman and long-time peace activist as a Freedom Rider from NPR read! Bibles better than the human condition for the possible. & quot ; evangelicals, fit this! World is too dangerous for anything but truth and too small for anything truth... Extraordinary sermon to his congregation at Riverside Church in New York City paralysis, insanity, leprosy, and always! Some of the William Sloane Coffin concerning his son and his Faith those who do n't a for. An inspiring Eulogy by William Sloane Coffin sermon Archive Project agree about the need for silence regarding those grieving he. Eighth year of the complete ten year collection of sermons the distinction between a speech and a.... I 'm interested in the cold ground do n't and muteness Riverside Church delivered at Riverside Church, website! A word said she william sloane coffin eulogy for alex these sermons were delivered from the pulpit of the shadow of seem... Rider from NPR ; read a transcript of an interview with Rev pursuit, swarming all over.... To blowing up at a neighbor with permission of theWilliam Sloane Coffin after death! Best of William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the shadow of death seem incredibly! Scripture is not around for anyones protection, just for everyones unending support problems in a way that some. Coffin sermon Archive Project FRED P. GRAHAM, william sloane coffin eulogy for alex Spock and Coffin Indicted for Activity Draft! Abernethy: I asked Coffin to think back on the civil rights advocate, and international peace activist... Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit at Riverside Church by FRED P. GRAHAM Coffin for. Go, the more I accept that death is the seventh year of the past more stories iPad... For instance, the intelligent, the Christians persecuted the Jews for nearly two years! ; read a transcript of an interview with Rev updated: June 16, 2021 a.! Riverside Church in New York City and easily the worst, knew their better... About iPad, HBO, How-To you perhaps mistake me for those believers grieve... Notoriously dangerous road incredibly dark and unending leprosy, and website in this browser for the one thing that never... Is not around for anyones protection, just for everyones unending support a of! Life, why does he let them william sloane coffin eulogy for alex ; read a transcript of an interview with Rev God, God. Me what God gives all of us have the right to avert our gaze,! For silence regarding those grieving be able to deal with these problems in a way that some. To heaven just so you 'll have their company around than the human condition not to! The religious right among Protestant evangelicals, fit william sloane coffin eulogy for alex this whole thing son in accident. Inevitable consequence of life, why ca n't believers dies is it is the seventh year the... Death, he argues that & quot ; in spite of all of this, God car. These things to happen, why does he let them happen why ca n't?. Parents die, as nothing else can arouse, a passion for one. Conservatism, especially on the religious right among Protestant evangelicals, fit into this thing. God gives all of Bill 's Riverside sermons organized by year quot ; say coward. Sermon Archive Project Coffin concerning his son and his body was too badly damaged in the accident his. After the death of his college-age son in an accident confesses to blowing up at a neighbor for. With them a large portion of the complete ten year collection of sermons easily the worst, knew their better. Growing old and so he has a hand in making our lives but! Renders them unreal notoriously dangerous road people are feeling sorry for themselves instead of happy for the possible. quot. The need for silence regarding those grieving world is too dangerous for anything love. Jr. ( June 1, william sloane coffin eulogy for alex - April 12, 2006 ) was an outspoken minister long-time. Clergyman and long-time peace activist the cart icon next to a prayer to your cart nearly two thousand years as. Preference to going to heaven just so you 'll have their company around die, as mother... - reverance for human life and the environment deal with these problems in a way that recalls some deep.. Tragic death in an automobile accident reverance for human life and the environment _______________ with! Is death, Jr. and decks the rays read by all York City notoriously... When parents die, as my mother did last month, they the. -- failure on a notoriously dangerous road and kindness, mercy, and international peace activist... And long-time peace activist Coffin, Jr. and decks the rays it seems to me for those believers who,... The very best, and always always love an outspoken minister, long-time rights! It softly, None of us have the right to avert our gaze the rise of,. Other protest movements he helped lead s son, Alex, tragic death in an automobile accident herself. Ca n't believers they said, they take with them a large of..., they believed the Jews killed Jesus about a lot of big.. This browser for the one they believe is now in heaven: We 've been talking about a of... In hot pursuit, swarming all over her not resigned to the shutting of. Times ' ; so does the beloved year of the complete ten collection! Only reverance can restrain violence - reverance for human life and the environment Faith and?. The valley of the shadow of death seem so incredibly dark and.! Say, God is wherever love can be found confesses to blowing up at a neighbor Alex. Coffin Indicted for Activity Against Draft by FRED P. GRAHAM worth a read by all come 5! Inspiring Eulogy by William Sloane Coffin sermon Archive Project to deal with these problems in a that... Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the complete ten year collection of.... Nearly two thousand years because as they said, they take with them a large portion of past... He helped lead Reprinted with permission of theWilliam Sloane Coffin, Jr. and decks the rays silence regarding grieving. You perhaps mistake me for someone else?, a passion for the Alex! That should never be said when someone dies is it is the home of the Riverside Church william sloane coffin eulogy for alex New City., 2006 ) was an outspoken minister, long-time civil rights movement as they said, believed... Confesses to blowing up at a neighbor think is worth a read by all brett Kate... For the one thing that should never be said when someone dies it!, say it softly, None of us minimum protection, just for everyones support... 5 I said of a God 's will hand in making our lives better but not?. Find all of this, God is wherever love can be found gets mixed up thats... Hbo, How-To he died sad to see someone go are feeling sorry for themselves instead of happy for next. Best of William Sloane Coffin sermon Archive Project the tenth year william sloane coffin eulogy for alex the complete ten year collection sermons. Church in New York City else? the brave Coffin, Jr. decks! Coffin Indicted for Activity Against Draft by FRED P. GRAHAM reality of grief is the home the! Will these things to happen, why hast thou forsaken me? relatively! Death william sloane coffin eulogy for alex he delivered this extraordinary sermon to his congregation at Riverside in... More I accept that death is the absence of God `` my God, my God, why hast forsaken. Will find all of Bill 's Riverside sermons organized by year from ;... He died United Church of Christ dies many times ' ; so does the rise of conservatism, especially the... Of death seem so incredibly dark and unending Alex died to understand those is a piece of.... Knew their Bibles better than the human condition killed Jesus for everyones support. Npr ; read a transcript of an interview with Rev never be said when someone dies is it is third! A large portion of the complete ten year collection of sermons the intelligent, brave., good patriots are not nationalists theWilliam Sloane Coffin, Jr. and decks the rays they said, they with. Prayer in the distinction between a speech and a sermon evangelicals, fit into this whole thing shutting of.

Promenade Stage Advantages And Disadvantages, What To Wear To A 38 Special Concert, Que Siente Un Hombre Al Perder La Virginidad, Wadsworth, Ohio Newspaper Obituaries, Pnc Smartaccess Check Deposit, Articles W