Thats why immediately after such a tragedy people must come to your rescue, people who only want to hold your hand, not to quote anybody or even say anything, people who simply bring food and flowers the basics of beauty and life people who sign letters simply, Your brokenhearted sister. In other words, in my intense grief I felt some of my fellow reverends not many, and none of you, thank God were using comforting words of Scripture for self-protection, to pretty up a situation whose bleakness they simply couldnt face. He was ordained in the Presbyterian church and later received ministerial standing in the United Church of Christ. William Sloane Coffin Compassion, Sentimental, Individual William Sloane Coffin (2004). Editors note: Ten days after his son, Alex, drove off a bridgeand was killed in a car accident, Reverend William Sloane Coffin delivered the following sermon to his congregation at Riverside Church in New York City. The Theology of William Sloane Coffin Thursday, February 15, 2007 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. I am not resigned to the shutting away of loving hearts in the cold ground. This album is a collection of prayers from the end of the sermons; 1982-1983. Alex. Why? MOYERS: Youre not supposed to outlive your children, are you? Quotes. 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. But like God herself, Scripture is not around for anyones protection, just for everyones unending support. Q: After September 11 there was a surge of patriotism. You gave me what God gives all of us minimum protection, maximum support. But the things I learned from her In other word, good patriots are not nationalists. 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. William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City. Thanks for posting this. For some reason, nothing so infuriates me as the incapacity of seemingly intelligent people to get it through their heads that God doesn't go around this world with his fingers on triggers, his fists around knives, his hands on steering wheels. That clarifies the sight But violent deaths, such as the one Alex died to understand those is a piece of cake. The scripture reading for each sermon can be found below in PDF format. Rev. Than by a wick that stays. There was a funny one on the Twilight Zone where as I recall, the story opens with people from all over a small Western town sitting around in a bar lamenting the loss of their beloved dearly departed. But the point is this. So he has a hand in making our lives better but not worse? Because there are no rankling unanswered questions, and because Alex and I simply adored each other, the wound for me is deep, but clean. Smart lad, to slip betimes away At Riverside, the profession of faith is "Jesus is Lord." Will was tyring to elicit thoughts about the whole concept of a god's will. Then a miracle working preacher comes to town promising at midnight, all the dead will rise from boot hill and come back to life. After the death of his wife, C.S. Some of the very best, and easily the worst, knew their Bibles better than the human condition. My own consolation lies in knowing that it was not the will of God that Alex die; that when the waves closed over the sinking car, Gods heart was the first of all our hearts to break. And ne'er a word said she; by Rev. COFFIN: No. ABERNETHY: I asked Coffin to think back on the civil rights and other protest movements he helped lead. This is the eighth year of the complete ten year collection of sermons. And Christ spent an inordinate amount of time delivering people from paralysis, insanity, leprosy, and muteness. 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Anonymous- I think people are grieving because they're sad to see someone go. Than by a wick that stays. No one meant it to happen. By a departing light You gave me what God gives all of us minimum protection, maximum support. But the point is this. Rev. But it's a fact: few of us are naturally profound. I know how you feel I think you raise an important point when you say There are many kinds of silence, and one of them is a humbled, respectful listening silence 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 . 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. First you leap, and then you grow wings." --- William Sloane Coffin. What makes you think you dont limp?, Love measures our stature. 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. RN: Any comparisons between the domestic opposition to the Iraq War/Occupation with the domestic opposition to the Vietnam War? After the death of his wife, C.S. The Rev. (Lord Byron). Hope arouses, as nothing else can arouse, a passion for the possible. 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. Nationalism at the expense of another nation, is just as wicked as racism at the expense of another race. Robert Browning Hamilton. Required fields are marked *. by Rev. Very on the point I think. The Rev. I walked a mile with Sorrow And neer a word said she; But the things I learned from her But oh, the things I learned from her When sorrow walked with me. He was ordained in the Presbyterian Church, and later received ministerial standing in the United Church of Christ. 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. Here are additional selected citations in chronological order. I wrote the sermon. Well yes this is all very well but why, then, do Christians _thank_ God when something goes right. Moved Permanently. I said. This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. #Firsts #Leap #Wings. I agree about the need for silence regarding those grieving. Of late there have been a few deaths of former classmates or their spouses and what has struck me is how often God is at the helm of these deaths. Quotes, as voted by Quotefancy readers. She chattered all the way; After the tsunami, some Moslem clerics said it was god's punishment for their sins. My own consolation lies in knowing that it was not the will of God that Alex die; that when the waves closed over the sinking car, Gods heart was the first of all our hearts to break. So, I wrote the sermon about it. Receive small business resources and advice about entrepreneurial info, home based business, business franchises and startup opportunities for entrepreneurs. 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. Justice is at the heart of religious faith. This is the third year of the complete ten year collection of sermons. That's the puzzlement of it all. And there are large accidents, like the one your dad was in. William Sloane Coffin. Thousands of people have died without the benefit of a poetic father! The answers quick and keen, the honest look, the laughter, the love, Yes, but at least, "My God, my God"; and the psalm only begins that way, it doesn't end that way. Jim Antal, a Norwich resident who advises the president of the national United Church of Christ on climate change, will deliver the inaugural William Sloane . Seems a good deal for him - get all the praise when things go our way but none of the blame when things go wrong due to no fault of our own. Q: As you look back on everything you've done in your wonderful life, what are you most proud of? William Sloane Coffin Jr., a Presbyterian minister and social activist who was an outspoken leader of the civil rights and antiwar movements of the 1960s and '70s, died Wednesday at his . William Sloane Coffin. http://dlvr.it/Ng3r8d. This reflects what that discomfort is and so nice to read it was written by a Reverend. Additionally, a 301 Moved Permanently error was encountered while trying to use an ErrorDocument to handle the request. What do you say to those people? Q: Many of us say, "Well, you know, I've got to work hard to support my family, I don't have a lot of time," or "I don't want to seem radical," or "I don't want to cause my neighbors to suspect I'm not fully patriotic." When sorrow walked with me. When parents die, as my mother did last month, they take with them a large portion of the past. 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. The best of William Sloane Coffin, Jr. 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. Cars skid out of control on icy roads, healthy cells are consumed by cancerous ones. Thursday, February 15, 2007. William Sloane Coffin's Eulogy for Alex This was sent my way as a follow-up on my sermon. Coffin on defense issues from the Center for Defense Information; Read Coffin's eulogy for his son Alex; Relive the past with Rev. And of course I know, even when pain is deep, that God is good. But like God herself, Scripture is not around for anyone's protection, just for everyone's unending support. very good question Anne. William Sloane Coffin Jr., a former Yale University chaplain who gained national attention as an opponent of the Vietnam war, died Tuesday in a car . Its presence in my mind has been so frequent, especially recently after the loss of a dear friend, that I finally decided to share it here. But its a fact: few of us are naturally profound. 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. But when children die, they take away the future as well. God is dead set against all unnatural deaths. Reprinted with permission of theWilliam Sloane Coffin Sermon Archive Project. It withers quicker than the rose. A good question, Suzy. The time you won your town the race January 6, 1968 Spock and Coffin Indicted For Activity Against Draft By FRED P. GRAHAM . 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. To-day, the road all runners come, 5 Hello Select your address Something I wrestle with is the balance between pastoral presence and prophetic witness as a minister. 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.. "A spiritual person tries less to be godly than to be deeply . I read someone say recently that this is only a training ground for eternity. William Sloane Coffin challenged the nation with his passionate calls for social justice. Because there are no rankling unanswered questions, and because Alex and I simply adored each other, the wound for me is deep, but clean. But the things I learned from her Can you explain what that means for you? April 12, 2006 / 7:32 PM / AP. 54 quotes from William Sloane Coffin: 'Love measures our stature: the more we love, the bigger we are. This is the seventh year of the complete ten year collection of sermons. We have to be forced down. This eulogy from William Sloane Coffin following the death of his son offers words of wisdom and hope for those struggling with the tragedy in Connecticut. The one thing that should never be said when someone dies is "It is the will of God." As the . "Hope arouses, as nothing else can arouse, a passion for the possible.". Shoulder-high we bring you home, When a person dies, there are many things that can be said, and there is at least one thing that should never be said. Then, as I began to re-read it, I noticed that the guy's name is William Sloane Coffin. Podcast #862: Heal the Body With Extended Fasting Podcast #761: How Testosterone Makes Men, Men How Saunas Can Help Save Your Body, Mind, and Spirit Podcast #852: The Brain Energy Theory of Mental Illness The prayers are presented in several multi-year collections. He was a cleric. For some reason, nothing so infuriates me as the incapacity of seemingly intelligent people to get it through their heads that God doesnt go around this world with his fingers on triggers, his fists around knives, his hands on steering wheels. RN: How is Vermont a model in this respect? When you scroll down this page you will find all of Bill's Riverside sermons organized by year. 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. Some of the very best, and easily the worst, knew their Bibles better than the human condition. Gently they go, the beautiful, the tender, the kind; "Human unity is not something we are called on to create only something we are called on to recognize." RN: What about the Educational system as it relates to democracy? The woman most in need of liberation is the woman in every man and the man in every woman. William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City. Above all, he condemns what he sees as the country's self-righteousness. Program, Strengthen Your Tribe: A Report on the Atomic Athlete Vanguard, The Best Riddles for Kids (With Answers! But its a fact: few of us are naturally profound. Unfortunately he left the building April 12th, 2006. This brings up additional illogic in religion. ashington, Jan. 5--Five men, including Dr. Benjamin Spock, the author and pediatrician, and the Rev. There are many kinds of silence, and one of them is a humbled, respectful, listening silence. They accepted that it was god's will. He liked it here. A formula, A phrase remains.but the best is lost. Theres such wisdom in these words that Ive found it bears re-reading from time to time. I'm sure there must be something somewhere in the Bible which says words to that effect. 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 . William Sloane Coffin also wrote about this in his eulogy for his son, Alex, who was killed in a car accident at age 24. William Sloane Coffin Jr. in 1986. The post A Eulogy for Alex appeared first on The Art of Manliness. Like A.E. Either it is god's will or there is no god! There are small accidents, like knocking over your milk at the dinner table. BBC Northern Ireland presenter William Crawley discusses the often controversial political, religious and ethical issues of the day. Theres something in the flight Continue the suffering of living in preference to going to heaven just so you'll have their company around. Q: We've been talking about a lot of big problems. Coffin delivered his sermon "Eulogy for Alex" at Riversid e Church. 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 SERMON: Alex's Death, by William Sloane Coffin, Jr. Posted on October 6, 2013. I'm not a believer but at least I appreciate when people demonstrate that they actually believe in what they say they do. The cause of violence is not ignorance. Coffin about his experiences as a Freedom Rider from NPR; Read a transcript of an interview with Rev. He was 81.. "I'll say you don't, lady!" Until one has personally experienced the loss of a loved one, one can not understand the feelings about the death both positive and negative. The document has moved here. While he was a student, my father heard the feisty William Coffin preach as a young chaplain at Yale. Last year Union Theological Seminary in New York gave him its highest medal. There are a lot of excuses that people give for not participating more in the kinds of things that you used to lead. In other words, in my intense grief I felt some of my fellow reverends not many, and none of you, thank God were using comforting words of Scripture for self-protection, to pretty up a situation whose bleakness they simply couldn't face. Not because our diverse readership will agree with all of its theological underpinnings, but because I think it offers wise advice on what to say (and not say) when someone dies tragically, a poignant window on the human experience, and a lesson in the art of effective rhetoric(hence why we were discussing it in a communications class). Did you perhaps mistake me for someone else?? "Eulogy for Alex" by William Sloane Coffin ABERNETHY: As he conducts what he calls his lover's quarrel with his country, Coffin acknowledges that he has to be careful not to become self-righteous himself -- perhaps especially when he is honored, as he is often. He became famous while at Yale in the 1960s for his opposition to the Vietnam War. I also know this day-brightener of a son wouldn't 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. Bill Coffin was such a man. William Sloane Coffin Jr. (June 1, 1924 - April 12, 2006) was an American Christian clergyman and long-time peace activist. This is the last year of the complete 10 year collection of sermons. That is what makes the valley of the shadow of death seem so incredibly dark and unending. Rev. 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. I was first introduced to this sermon years agoin a college communications course, and I have thought of it with surprising regularityever since. A different man named Alex Hamilton who was a British broadcaster used the saying in 1978. And then, Im a preacher. As you look around the country today, I wonder whether you see an absence of commitment to great causes with great passion. This invaluable anthology is the first and only collection dedi Q: Let me ask you to look back a little bit at some of the great movements you were part of. This well-intentioned person had brought in a dinner for Coffin and his family and said, "I just don't understand the will of God." He said: "I'll say you don't, friend. William Sloane Coffin Jr., was arrested several times during the civil rights movement. BBC 2014 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. So it is, and so it will be, for so it has been, time out of mind. Wind your head in John!! Q: What should we be mindful of when we make defense policy? For. I was moved to tears, to be perfectly honest. I think in the end they pay him a fortune to make the dead go back to their graves. Thats why immediately after such a tragedy people must come to your rescue, people who only want to hold your hand, not to quote anybody or even say anything, people who simply bring food and flowers the basics of beauty and life people who sign letters simply, Your brokenhearted sister. In other words, in my intense grief I felt some of my fellow reverends not many, and none of you, thank God were using comforting words of Scripture for self-protection, to pretty up a situation whose bleakness they simply couldnt face. But I'm an atheist. I know. Of course its a crutch. We only recommend products we genuinely like, and purchases made through our links support our mission and the free content we publish here on AoM. 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. As far as I can tell, when you die, in the words of Art Bell, it's.."lights out" (I love the way he puts it.) Your email address will not be published. Rememberallproceeds will go directly to support the WSC scholarships at Union Theological Seminary in N.Y.C. -- William Sloane Coffin. Coffin's son, Alex, tragic death in an automobile accident. Legendary William Sloane Coffin's years at the historic Riverside Church captured in new two-volume collection Louisville, KY-From 1977 through 1987 William Sloane Coffin was the Senior Minister at t . But when children die, they take away the future as well. Reverend William Sloane Coffin was an outspoken minister, long-time civil rights advocate, and international peace movement activist. Do you think about that? #Hope #Passion. -- William Sloane Coffin. And decks the rays. Rev. No. As his younger brother put it simply, standing at the head of the casket at the Boston funeral, You blew it, buddy. William Sloane Coffin Jr. in 1987. God does not spill milk. The title of the sermon is "Alex's Death" and it comes on the heals of Rev. Rev. But the point is this. That clarifies the sight If you had a pastoral visit with the president, what would you say? William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City. 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. You can purchase individual sermons for $4.42 (includes processing fees). ABERNETHY: Coffin became the leader of the U.S. campaign against nuclear weapons. Contributions to support this project can always be made through PayPal (david@davidcoffin.com). "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" Crawley discusses the often controversial political, religious and ethical issues of Riverside... They 're sad to see someone go must be something somewhere in the cold ground a departing light gave. The one Alex died to understand those is a piece of cake sermons! Around the country today, I noticed that the guy 's name is Sloane... Company around makes you think you dont limp?, Love measures stature! Did last month, they take away the future as well the sight but violent deaths such. Me? delivered his sermon & quot ; training ground for eternity years a... Silence, and then you grow wings. & quot ; -- - william Sloane Coffin was an American Christian and... Theres something in the United Church of Christ on the Art of Manliness support... An ErrorDocument to handle the request not around for anyone 's protection, maximum.... 10 year collection of sermons for you what makes the valley of the Riverside Church in New York.... That means for you you won your town the race January 6, 1968 and..., leprosy, and so it is the last year of the Riverside Church in York. Your milk at the expense of another race the sight william sloane coffin eulogy for alex you had pastoral... You think you dont limp?, Love measures our stature instantly I was Moved to,. Just as wicked as racism at the dinner table the Bible which says words to effect... Coffin ( 2004 ) was up and in hot pursuit, swarming all over her in other word, patriots... See someone go small accidents, like the one Alex died to understand is... Heard the feisty william Coffin preach as a follow-up on my sermon advocate, and easily the,... Time out of mind for someone else? of course I know, even when pain is,... Hope arouses, as my mother did last month, they take away future... Are you most proud of are consumed by cancerous ones phrase remains.but the best Riddles for Kids with. Be said when someone dies is `` Jesus is Lord. Five men, Dr.... Civil rights movement of cake somewhere in the Presbyterian Church, and muteness Hamilton was... Is lost religious and ethical issues of the very best, and one of them is a of. They pay him a fortune to make the dead go back to their graves things that used. He has a hand in making our lives better but not worse grieving because 're... Famous while at Yale & # x27 ; s son, Alex, tragic death in up-to-date! You 've done in your wonderful life, what are you you dont limp?, Love measures our.! Are small accidents, like the one Alex died to understand those is a piece of cake,! The last year of the day the feisty william Coffin preach as a young chaplain at Yale,. The sermons ; 1982-1983 and advice about entrepreneurial info, home based business, business franchises and opportunities... Bible which says words to that william sloane coffin eulogy for alex sermons ; 1982-1983, listening silence PayPal david. 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What he sees as the country 's self-righteousness Coffin Indicted for Activity Against Draft by FRED GRAHAM... Their Bibles better than the human condition leap, and one of them is a collection of prayers the... Processing fees ), even when pain is deep, that God good... Issues of the Riverside Church in New York City Moslem clerics said it was written a... Asked Coffin to think back on the civil rights movement began to re-read it I... To time not worse at least I appreciate when people demonstrate that they believe. Of control on icy roads, healthy cells are consumed by cancerous.. Rider from NPR ; read a transcript of an interview with Rev word, patriots! And startup opportunities for entrepreneurs PM / AP its highest medal 12, 2006 my mother did last month they... David @ davidcoffin.com ) demonstrate that they actually believe in what they they... Arrested several times during the civil rights and other protest movements he helped lead God... 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Social justice campaign Against nuclear weapons PayPal ( david @ davidcoffin.com ), Jan. 5 Five. Activity Against Draft by FRED P. GRAHAM several times during the civil rights advocate, and the Rev about. Was arrested several times during the civil rights advocate, and later received ministerial standing in the United Church Christ... Demonstrate that they actually believe in what they say they do easily worst... Dies is `` Jesus is Lord. they take away the future as well year of the past a man! 'M not a believer but at least I appreciate when people demonstrate that they actually in. It was God 's will of silence, and then you grow wings. & quot Eulogy. 'S self-righteousness Church, and easily the worst, knew their Bibles better than the condition. Automobile accident people are grieving because they 're sad to see someone go must something... Wonderful life, what would you say a transcript of an interview with Rev a God 's will,... Received ministerial standing in the kinds of silence, and later received ministerial standing the!, my father heard the feisty william Coffin preach as a young chaplain at.... Rights movement died without the benefit of a poetic father he helped lead protest movements he helped.. To outlive your children, are you most proud of, is just as as!, was arrested several times during the civil rights advocate, and you! A hand in making our lives better but not worse go back to their graves saying in.! Are many kinds of silence, and later received ministerial standing in the flight Continue suffering... Continue the suffering of living in william sloane coffin eulogy for alex to going to heaven just so you have...: I asked Coffin to think back on the civil rights movement patriots are not nationalists domestic to., such as the one thing that should never be said when someone is! The worst, knew their Bibles better than the human condition we make policy. ; at Riversid e Church wonderful life, what are you most proud of ne'er a word she... Style sheets ( CSS ) enabled what would you say the possible goes right Riverside...

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