The answers quick and keen, the honest look, the laughter, the love, This is the fifth year of the complete ten year collection of sermons. Because there are no rankling unanswered questions, and because Alex and I simply adored each other, the wound for me is deep, but clean. I swear to you, I wouldnt be standing here were I not upheld. And set you at your threshold down, If you aren't sure what RSS is you'll find our beginner's guide to RSS useful. Coffin on defense issues from the Center for Defense Information; Read Coffin's eulogy for his son Alex; Relive the past with Rev. If a week ago last Monday, a lamp went out, it was because, for him at least, the Dawn had come. And the folks in Riverside Church had to know whether or not they still had a pastor. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. First you leap, and then you grow wings., It is often said that the Church is a crutch. You gave me what God gives all of us minimum protection, maximum support. The document has moved here. BBC Northern Ireland presenter William Crawley discusses the often controversial political, religious and ethical issues of the day. Still there is much by way of consolation. The fleet foot on the sill of shade, It is self-interest. I was reminded today of this beautiful eulogy by the late William Sloane Coffin for his 24-year-old son, Alex, and I wanted to share it with you. Q: After September 11 there was a surge of patriotism. 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. No matter where they're going or what they're going to experience, the primary reason people mourn a death is because they know they'll miss the person who died and won't see them again. c a m p u s l i f e ; m e s s a g e SERMON: Alex's Death, by William Sloane Coffin, Jr. Posted on October 6, 2013. From fields where glory does not stay, 10 Protestant preacher William Sloane Coffin after the death of his college-age son in an accident confesses to blowing up at a neighbor. 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.. But I think much of our exasperation could be tempered if we could see our lives more from God's perspective than our own. I think in the end they pay him a fortune to make the dead go back to their graves. 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 . Into the darkness they go, the wise and the lovely. W. & J. Sloane was a furniture and rug store in New York City that catered to the wealthy. Continue the suffering of living in preference to going to heaven just so you'll have their company around. Fragrant is the blossom. You blew it." After the death of his wife, C.S. Gently they go, the beautiful, the tender, the kind; Thanks for posting this. 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? ashington, Jan. 5--Five men, including Dr. Benjamin Spock, the author and pediatrician, and the Rev. I walked a mile with Sorrow 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, God's heart was the first of all our hearts to break. So people are feeling sorry for themselves instead of happy for the one they believe is now in heaven. 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. Theres such wisdom in these words that Ive found it bears re-reading from time to time. So if someone says, "Are you saved?" Last year Union Theological Seminary in New York gave him its highest medal. Why would someone grieve for a loved one who is in heaven or in paradise. For all she had to say. "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" Some of the very best, and easily the worst, knew their Bibles better than the human condition. I'm puzzled by all of this. Thought he was omnipotent and omnipresent. 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 use of Gods will or God has chosen to take whatever the phrase has always made me uncomfortable. 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. Q: What should we be mindful of when we make defense policy? Q: What's the essential connection for you between religious faith and justice? This is amazing. The civil rights movement: What do you remember with the greatest pleasure or what was the greatest lesson of it? When a person dies, there are many things that can be said, and there is at least one thing that should never be said. Please address any specific reforms that demand priority. Rev. Coffin delivered his sermon "Eulogy for Alex" at Riversid e Church. A Eulogy for Alex Editor's note: Ten days after his son, Alex, drove off a bridge and was killed in a car accident, Reverend William Sloane Coffin delivered the following sermon to his congregation at Riverside Church in New York City. But when children die, they take away the future as well. The reality of grief is the absence of God "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" William Sloane Coffin also wrote about this in his eulogy for his son, Alex, who was killed in a car accident at age 24. But the point is this. I mentioned the healing flood of letters. If you are interested in purchasing the whole collection on aDVD Data Discplease contact me byemail. And [a lot of people] think that emotional mediocrity is the good life. Moved Permanently. But its a fact: few of us are naturally profound. God is dead set against all unnatural deaths. -- William Sloane Coffin. Would it be abhorrent to find that intensely funny? It seems to me for those believers who grieve, their religion brings them little more comfort than those who don't. And finally I know that when Alex beat me to the grave, the finish line was not Boston Harbor in the middle of the night. Lewis wrote, They say the coward dies many times; so does the beloved. We have to be forced down. 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. Among the healing flood of letters that followed his death was one carrying this wonderful quote from the end of Hemingway's "A Farewell to Arms": "The world breaks everyone, then some become strong at the broken places.". ABERNETHY: I asked Coffin to think back on the civil rights and other protest movements he helped lead. Still there is much by way of consolation. First you leap, and then you grow wings." --- William Sloane Coffin. So. http://dlvr.it/Ng3r8d. A fragment of what you felt, of what you knew, I know how lucky I am! ABERNETHY: In our conversation, Coffin quoted words he liked, words he attributed to Irenaeus, an early church father: "The glory of God is a human being fully alive." So set, before its echoes fade, 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. Download free, high-quality (4K) pictures and wallpapers featuring William Sloane Coffin, Jr. This invaluable anthology is the first and only collection dedi Less sceptical commentators may point to mechanical -- and possibly human -- failure on a notoriously dangerous road. He was ordained in the Presbyterian Church, and later received ministerial standing in the United Church of Christ. 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. William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City. The Rev. See more stories about iPad, HBO, How-To. And the name died before the man. This is the tenth year of the complete 10 year collection of sermons. 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. This is the third year of the complete ten year collection of sermons. Refusing to cede the battlefield of morality to conservatives, he argues that "compassion demands . Than by a wick that stays. These are all end of sermon prayers from the Sunday sermon delivered at Riverside Church. 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 world's army of the bereaved. You will also find a collection of his prayers that concluded many of his sermons. 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. And round that early-laurelled head 25 Didn't the eagle find a fresh liver to tear in Prometheus every time it dined?". __________________ 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. BBC 2014 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Today's Times asks the inevitable question following the tragic death of at least 26 Polish pilgrims in the French Alps: What kind of God would allow something like this to happen? Rev. Reprinted with permission of theWilliam Sloane Coffin Sermon Archive Project. William Sloane Coffin Sr. (April 15, 1879 - December 16, 1933) was an American businessman. William Sloane Coffin. 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. You gave me what God gives all of us minimum protection, maximum support. William Sloane Coffin, a former Yale University chaplain known for his peace activism during the Vietnam War and his continuing work for social justice . I know that. William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City. I'm sure there must be something somewhere in the Bible which says words to that effect. The one thing that should never be said when someone dies is "It is the will of God." In my case on the death of my wife they were summed up well in a poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay entitled Dirge without Music. You can purchase individual prayers for $1.34 (includes processing fees). 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. 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. Thursday, February 15, 2007. Theres something in the flight That clarifies the sight And decks the rays. Some of the very best, and easily the worst, knew their Bibles better than the human condition. View all William Sloane Coffin Quotes. William Sloane Coffin. You gave me what God gives all of us minimum protection, maximum support. In 1983, Dr Coffin's son Alex was killed in a car accident. But the point is this. "The world is too dangerous for anything but truth and too small for anything but love." --- William Sloane Coffin. Listen to an interview with Rev. The more we love the bigger we are, There is no smaller package in the world than a man all wrapped up in himself.. Coffin's son, Alex, tragic death in an automobile accident. Lewis wrote, "They say 'the coward dies many times'; so does the beloved. While the words of the Bible are true, grief renders them unreal. Something I wrestle with is the balance between pastoral presence and prophetic witness as a minister. I swear to you, I wouldnt be standing here were I not upheld. And home we brought you shoulder-high. This is the sixth year of the complete ten year collection of sermons. Rev. This is beautiful!!! William Sloane Coffin Jr. was an American Christian clergyman and long-time peace activist. William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City. These are some of the popular topics this blog covers. The reality of grief is the absence of God My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? The reality of grief is the solitude of pain, the feeling that your heart is in pieces, your minds a blank, that there is no joy the world can give like that it takes away. (Lord Byron). Your email address will not be published. Man and boy stood cheering by, And decks the rays. 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.. 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. 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 neer a word said she; --Robert Browning Hamilton. Gracious God, whose own Son's term of service to humanity was so full that its brevity was no distress, we call to mind on this Memorial Sunday those "who will not grow old as we who are left to grow old," those whose lives were too brief for us but long enough, perhaps, for thee. Q: I'm interested in the distinction between a speech and a sermon. 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. Get All Beings Everywhere delivered to your inbox. by Rev. The question seems more pointed given the context -- a group of devout believers making a religious pilgrimage -- but the same question is struggled over every day by people of faith who experience suffering or have to watch a loved one suffer. Anonymous- I think people are grieving because they're sad to see someone go. 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. But the things I learned from her Ten days after Alex's death, he delivered this extraordinary sermon to his congregation at Riverside Church in New York City. But I do not approve. I mentioned the healing flood of letters. 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. But like God herself, Scripture is not around for anyones protection, just for everyones unending support. We see acuter quite 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. 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. But violent deaths, such as the one Alex died to understand those is a piece of cake. 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. " 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. This album is a collection of prayers from the end of the sermons; 1982-1983. BTW, anonymous was I ere I saw Suomynona WTB, but I'm sure you guessed that right away. very good question Anne. I swear to you, I wouldn't be standing here were I not upheld. We see acuter quite The Art of Manliness participates in affiliate marketing programs, which means we get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links. How do you separate patriotism from criticism? 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? And of course I know, even when pain is deep, that God is good. In my email signature, I have this quote by him: The world is too dangerous for anything but truth and too small for anything but love.. For all she had to say. #Firsts #Leap #Wings. Program, Strengthen Your Tribe: A Report on the Atomic Athlete Vanguard, The Best Riddles for Kids (With Answers! She chattered all the way; Click the cart icon next to a prayer in the player below to add a prayer to your cart. While the words of the Bible are true, grief renders them unreal. 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. ABERNETHY: Coffin rails at neglect of the poor and U.S. policies in Iraq. 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. But it's a fact: few of us are naturally profound. is the blossom. There's something deep in there that involves joy and hope. Only reverance can restrain violence - reverance for human life and the environment. Than by a wick that stays. 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. Eagle find a collection of prayers from the pulpit of the sermons ; 1982-1983 we see... But it 's a fact: few of us minimum protection, just for everyones unending support 'the coward many. 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