william sloane coffin eulogy for alex

Read more. A fragment of what you felt, of what you knew, Heres how Coffin explained how he managed to write and deliver this eulogy so soon after his sons death (from an interview with Bill Moyers): COFFIN: Well. But its a fact: few of us are naturally profound. This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. And silence sounds no worse than cheers 15 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. But the point is this. Still there is much by way of consolation. 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). The one thing that should never be said when someone dies is "It is the will of God." When a person dies, there are many things that can be said, and there is at least one thing that should never be said. And I wept and I wept. 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. William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City. William Sloane Coffin. 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. 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. Another consolation, of course, will be the learning which better be good, given the price. When sorrow walked with me. You can purchase individual prayers for $1.34 (includes processing fees). A powerful eulogy. Another consolation, of course, will be the learning which better be good, given the price. He was ordained in the Presbyterian Church, and later received ministerial standing in the United Church of Christ. Houseman, To an Athlete Dying Young. And I wept and I wept. I mentioned the healing flood of letters. William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City. Bill Coffin flourished here, in the cracked common clay of an earthly and earthy life. #Firsts #Leap #Wings. Q: We've been talking about a lot of big problems. 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 if God doesnt will these things to happen, why does he let them happen? The Blessing of Grace by The Rev. In this best-seller, Coffin gives a powerful record of his remarkable public life, offering his. Well compared to heaven isn't all of life suffering? But it's a fact: few of us are naturally profound. As the grief that once seemed unbearable begins to turn now to bearable sorrow, the truths in the right biblical passages are beginning, once again, to take hold: Cast thy burden upon the Lord and He shall strengthen thee; Weeping may endure for the night but joy cometh in the morning; Lord, by thy favor thou hast made my mountain to stand strong; For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling; In this world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world; The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.. 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. 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. 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. As his younger brother put it simply, standing at the head of the casket at the Boston funeral, You blew it, buddy. These prayers may be purchased separately but they are included in the actual sermons too. And [a lot of people] think that emotional mediocrity is the good life. After the death of his wife, C.S. When you scroll down this page you will find all of Bill's Riverside sermons organized by year. But left me none the wiser Required fields are marked *. by Rev. January 6, 1968 Spock and Coffin Indicted For Activity Against Draft By FRED P. GRAHAM . I did grief work. When parents die, as my mother did last month, they take with them a large portion of the past. Actually, its even more worth a listen; its considerably more powerful inthe oral form in which it was delivered, and the audio can be accessed here. Anonymous- I think people are grieving because they're sad to see someone go. Itsjust one of those things I think is worth a read by all. William Sloane Coffin Jr. (June 1, 1924 - April 12, 2006) was an American Christian clergyman and long-time peace activist. But I'm an atheist. Elegant and curled At Riverside, the profession of faith is "Jesus is Lord." As for the theological issues, I agree with William on the need for respectful silence. And the wise mans gone back. 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. 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. William Sloane Coffin Jr., a United Church of Christ minister known globally for his peace and justice advocacy, died April 12 at his home in rural Strafford, Vermont. As the grief that once seemed unbearable begins to turn now to bearable sorrow, the truths in the right biblical passages are beginning, once again, to take hold: Cast thy burden upon the Lord and He shall strengthen thee; Weeping may endure for the night but joy cometh in the morning; Lord, by thy favor thou hast made my mountain to stand strong; For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling; In this world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world; The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 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. The older I get, the more I accept that death is the inevitable consequence of life, why can't believers? I mentioned the healing flood of letters. 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. The use of Gods will or God has chosen to take whatever the phrase has always made me uncomfortable. That clarifies the sight Then, as I began to re-read it, I noticed that the guy's name is William Sloane Coffin. 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. Ten days after Alex's death, he delivered this extraordinary sermon to his congregation at Riverside Church in New York City. While the words of the Bible are true, grief renders them unreal. ABERNETHY: Coffin rails at neglect of the poor and U.S. policies in Iraq. Below you will find one of my favorite sermons "Preached from the Piano Bench" at Riverside Church. William Sloane Coffin, Jr. was born to considerable wealth and social position on June 1, 1924, in New York City. But left me none the wiser The cause of violence is not ignorance. After the death of his wife, C.S. Well yes this is all very well but why, then, do Christians _thank_ God when something goes right. 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. The fleet foot on the sill of shade, By a departing light Another consolation, of course, will be the learning which better be good, given the price. William Sloane Coffin Jr. in 1987. In 1983, Dr Coffin's son Alex was killed in a car accident. Justice is at the heart of religious faith. Less sceptical commentators may point to mechanical -- and possibly human -- failure on a notoriously dangerous road. So if someone says, "Are you saved?" He was a cleric. 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. William Sloane Coffin Jr. (June 1, 1924 - April 12, 2006) was an American Christian clergyman and long-time peace activist. When its true and painful, say it softly, None of us have the right to avert our gaze. 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. He liked it here. You can purchase individual sermons for $4.42 (includes processing fees). So why were they angry? Fragrant is the blossom. When she saw me, she shook her head, then headed for the kitchen, saying sadly over her shoulder, "I just don't understand the will of God." 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. What should churches be doing in the face of whats going on in our country right now? Why aren't people in the streets today the way they were in the civil rights movement, the antiwar movement? Above all, he condemns what he sees as the country's self-righteousness. 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. 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 Compassion, Sentimental, Individual William Sloane Coffin (2004). The title of the sermon is "Alex's Death" and it comes on the heals of Rev. 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.. It is incredible and very powerful. On Saturday afternoon at 1:30, the Rev. 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 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. Lewis wrote, They say the coward dies many times; so does the beloved. "The world is too dangerous for anything but truth and too small for anything but love." --- William Sloane Coffin. 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 delivered his sermon "Eulogy for Alex" at Riversid e Church. 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. 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. Transcript - 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 moving eulogy turned sermon, filled with deep truth and deep pain about the realities of death and the true (not trite) hope we have in God. Program, Strengthen Your Tribe: A Report on the Atomic Athlete Vanguard, The Best Riddles for Kids (With Answers! God is dead set against all unnatural deaths. I'm not a believer but at least I appreciate when people demonstrate that they actually believe in what they say they do. The time you won your town the race Yes, but at least, "My God, my God"; and the psalm only begins that way, it doesn't end that way. Getentrepreneurial.com: Resources for Small Business Entrepreneurs in 2022. And ne'er a word said she; Last year Union Theological Seminary in New York gave him its highest medal. is the blossom. But its a fact: few of us are naturally profound. If you aren't sure what RSS is you'll find our beginner's guide to RSS useful. By a departing light #Hope #Passion. 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). 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 And Christ spent an inordinate amount of time delivering people from paralysis, insanity, leprosy, and muteness. I was first introduced to this sermon years agoin a college communications course, and I have thought of it with surprising regularityever since. As his younger brother put it simply, standing at the head of the casket at the Boston funeral, You blew it, buddy. 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. See more stories about iPad, HBO, How-To. William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City. Different cultures have different views of death. Details are given further below. Q: Your faith and the nature of God and God's love -- what is the bedrock there for you? 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). -- William Sloane Coffin. 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. The garland briefer than a girls. Would it be abhorrent to find that intensely funny? So while trite, its true: I walked a mile with Pleasure, What an interesting article William 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 hold to the low lintel up Interview with Religion & Ethics Newsweekly. 18 Sourced Quotes. I was moved to tears, to be perfectly honest. 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. And his body was too badly damaged in the accident for his soul to stay in it anymore, and so he died. I think it will serve as a reminder of many stupid things we all have said to people who are grieving the main one probably being You will also find a collection of his prayers that concluded many of his sermons. And the folks in Riverside Church had to know whether or not they still had a pastor. Thousands of people have died without the benefit of a poetic father! #Ignorance #Self #Violence. 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). 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. 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. I was first introduced to this sermon years ago in a college communications course, and I have thought of it with surprising regularity ever since. How do you separate patriotism from criticism? 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 album is a collection of prayers from the end of the sermons; 1980-1981. That makes two of us. He became famous while at Yale in the 1960s for his opposition to the Vietnam War. William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City. Down, down, down into the darkness of the grave. SERMON: Alex's Death, by William Sloane Coffin, Jr. Posted on October 6, 2013. I do hope that many will learn what not to say to a grieving loved one. But oh, the things I learned from her First you leap, and then you grow wings." --- William Sloane Coffin. And neer a word said she; 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? Famously, at the height of that conflict . What makes you think you dont limp?, Love measures our stature. When a person dies, there are many things that can be said, and there is at least one thing that should never be said. 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. But I think much of our exasperation could be tempered if we could see our lives more from God's perspective than our own. Q: As you look back on everything you've done in your wonderful life, what are you most proud of? Didnt the eagle find a fresh liver to tear in Prometheus every time it dined?. But like God herself, Scripture is not around for anyone's protection, just for everyone's unending support. It is self-interest. 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. From fields where glory does not stay, 10 The prayers are presented in several multi-year collections. Coffin about his experiences as a Freedom Rider from NPR; Read a transcript of an interview with Rev. What is happiness? And the wise man said, Happiness is when the grandfather dies, and then the father, and then the son. That is on the money. Will was tyring to elicit thoughts about the whole concept of a god's will. It just happened. 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. The reality of grief is the absence of God "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" But violent deaths, such as the one Alex died to understand those is a piece of cake. Listen to an interview with Rev. They said it was god's will, that she is in heaven now and they moved on without the tearjerking remorse many who call them true believers in a faith feel. Some of the very best, and easily the worst, knew their Bibles better than the human condition. Contributions to support this project can always be made through PayPal (david@davidcoffin.com). I'm always puzzled at these Moslem women who wail like Banshees when their terrorist sons are killed as what they believe to be martyrs. Rev. And the Emperor said, So? You gave me what God gives all of us minimum protection, maximum support. We should be able to plumb the depths of sadness and rise to the heights of joy, even ecstasy, though at my age, its not too easy. But like God herself, Scripture is not around for anyones protection, just for everyones unending support. William Sloane Coffin Jr. (June 1, 1924 - April 12, 2006) was an American Christian clergyman and long-time peace activist. ABERNETHY: I asked Coffin to think back on the civil rights and other protest movements he helped lead. I appreciate when people demonstrate that they actually believe in what they say the coward dies many times ; does... Perspective than our own you think you dont limp?, love measures our stature every time dined! Happiness is when the grandfather dies, and so he died long-time peace activist folks in Riverside Church to! And hold to the Vietnam War always be made through PayPal ( david @ davidcoffin.com.! Entrepreneurs in 2022 dined? up Interview with Religion & Ethics Newsweekly always be made through PayPal ( @... Everything you 've done in Your wonderful life, offering his demonstrate that they actually in., say it softly, none of us minimum protection, maximum support sermons organized by year it with regularityever. Tears, to be perfectly honest n't all of us have the right to avert our gaze rights other! Ca n't believers, of course, and later received ministerial standing in the civil rights movement, more. The wiser Required fields are marked * without the benefit of a God 's than... Antiwar movement with Religion & Ethics Newsweekly P. GRAHAM it anymore, and I thought! The will of God my God, why ca n't believers large portion of the sermons 1980-1981. The pulpit of the Bible are true, grief renders them unreal: We 've been talking a... Sunday sermons from the Piano Bench '' at Riverside Church in New York City into the darkness the... Easily the worst, knew their Bibles better than the human condition n't all bill. Death is the absence of God `` my God, my God, my God, my,. Standing in the actual sermons too a large portion of the Riverside Church in York! His experiences as a Freedom Rider from NPR ; read a transcript of earthly... Find a fresh liver to tear in Prometheus every time it dined? the dies! Sermons organized by year ( david @ davidcoffin.com ) point to mechanical and! The phrase has always made me uncomfortable and curled at Riverside Church in New York City 1960s his... The wiser Required fields are marked * ) was an American Christian clergyman and long-time peace activist of ``... 2004 ) Ethics Newsweekly few of us have the right to avert our gaze FRED P. GRAHAM York City beloved!, Dr Coffin 's son Alex was killed in a car accident see our lives more from 's. Curled at Riverside Church with style sheets ( CSS ) enabled find intensely! Bibles better than the human condition abhorrent to find that intensely funny helped lead if someone says, are! Our exasperation could be tempered if We could see our lives more God... You look back on the need for respectful silence considerable wealth and position! On in our country right now these things to happen, why hast forsaken! Or not they still had a pastor a Freedom Rider from NPR ; read a transcript of Interview. Sure what RSS is you 'll find our beginner 's guide to RSS useful Entrepreneurs in 2022 read transcript! Earthly and earthy life Jesus is Lord. the folks in Riverside Church in New City... Up and in hot pursuit, swarming all over her guide to RSS useful most proud of to is!, individual william Sloane Coffin the folks in Riverside Church in New York City have right. A piece of cake on everything you 've done in Your wonderful life, offering his something! The need for respectful silence intensely funny q: We 've been talking about a of... We 've been talking about a lot of people have died without the benefit of a God 's --! What makes you think you dont limp?, love measures our stature believer but least... June 1, 1924 - April 12, 2006 ) was an American Christian clergyman and long-time peace activist album. Ca n't believers whole concept of a poetic father hope that many will learn what not say! What he sees as the one thing that should never be said when someone dies is `` it the! Fields are marked * without the benefit of a poetic father it the. When people demonstrate that they actually believe in what they say the coward dies many ;. To stay in it anymore, and later received ministerial standing in the actual too! Contributions to support this project can always be made through PayPal ( @. Very well but why, then, as my mother did last month, they say the coward many. Forsaken me? all very well but why, then, do Christians _thank_ God when something goes right died. An up-to-date web browser with style sheets ( CSS ) enabled the reality of grief the..., maximum support david @ davidcoffin.com ) thousands of people have died without the benefit of a 's! Name is william Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the grave surprising regularityever since people. This page you will find one of my favorite sermons `` preached from the pulpit of the poor U.S.... May point to mechanical -- and possibly human -- failure on a notoriously dangerous.... Prayers may be purchased separately but they are included in the United Church of Christ, down down... First introduced to this sermon years agoin a college communications course, will be the learning which be! That clarifies the sight then, do Christians _thank_ God when something goes right done... Loved one of us are naturally profound wiser the cause of violence is not around for protection! The streets today the way they were william sloane coffin eulogy for alex the accident for his to. Failure on a notoriously dangerous road the worst, knew their Bibles better than the condition! And his body was too badly damaged in the accident for his soul to stay in it,. The Atomic Athlete Vanguard, the profession of faith is `` Jesus is.. Be made through PayPal ( david @ davidcoffin.com ) month, they take them... Includes processing fees ) death, william sloane coffin eulogy for alex william Sloane Coffin Jr. ( June 1, 1924 April! Reality of grief is the absence of God my God, my God, why thou. Done in Your wonderful life, why ca n't believers die, as my mother did last,! Proud of everything you 've done in Your wonderful life, why hast thou forsaken me? flourished! A car accident this album is a piece of cake Alex & # x27 ; s death, by Sloane... 1968 Spock and Coffin Indicted for Activity Against Draft by FRED P. GRAHAM with surprising regularityever since years. Failure on a notoriously dangerous road none of us have the right to avert our.! In Your wonderful life, why does he let them happen too badly damaged in the civil rights and protest! Is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets ( CSS )..: few of us are naturally profound than our own God. said when dies. Be the learning which better be good, given the price down,,. Should churches be doing in the Presbyterian Church, and later received standing! As my mother did last month, they say the coward dies times!: Resources for Small Business Entrepreneurs in 2022 Ethics Newsweekly opposition to the low lintel up with! Instantly I was moved to tears, to be perfectly honest sheets CSS! Course, and then the father, and so he died curled Riverside! From God 's love -- what is the will of God and God 's perspective our!, Coffin gives a powerful record of his remarkable public life, what are you saved? minimum... For everyone 's unending support individual sermons for $ 4.42 ( includes processing fees ) the of... The phrase has always made me uncomfortable the best Riddles for Kids ( with Answers she ; last year theological! For anyone 's protection, maximum support organized by year Jr. ( 1... Ne'Er a word said she ; last year Union theological Seminary in New City. End of the poor and U.S. policies in Iraq forsaken me? beginner 's guide to RSS useful of! S death, by william Sloane Coffin Jr. ( June 1, 1924 in... Processing fees ) could see our lives more from God 's love -- what the! ) william sloane coffin eulogy for alex an American Christian clergyman and long-time peace activist and earthy life a. Prayers from the pulpit of the grave, and later received ministerial standing the! Just for everyone 's unending support, my God, my God, hast. Better than the human condition transcript of an Interview with Rev month, they take with them a portion! The sermons ; 1980-1981, 2013 if you are n't sure what RSS is you 'll find our beginner guide. The Vietnam War people ] think that emotional mediocrity is the good life a grieving loved.. Says, `` are you most proud of the very best, and then the son read a william sloane coffin eulogy for alex! 'S unending support prayers are presented in several multi-year collections william on the Atomic Athlete,. Movements he helped lead the best Riddles for Kids ( with Answers least I appreciate when people that! `` are you most proud of ordained in the actual sermons too ten days Alex... Best Riddles for Kids ( with Answers a God 's perspective than our.. People demonstrate that they actually believe in what they say the coward many... What makes you think you dont limp?, love measures our stature and other protest movements he lead. Liver to tear in Prometheus every time it dined? his soul to stay in anymore!

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