Didn't the eagle find a fresh liver to tear in Prometheus every time it dined?". 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. The civil rights movement: What do you remember with the greatest pleasure or what was the greatest lesson of it? If the order gets mixed up, thats misery. Why are they unhappy if they think he is in paradise with 72 virgins or are they just feeling sorry for themselves? Last year Union Theological Seminary in New York gave him its highest medal. Can you explain what that means for you? Sloan from Doonesbury; New Documentary: WWilliam Sloane Coffin: A Lover's . I was moved to tears, to be perfectly honest. Robert Browning Hamilton. 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. Then a miracle working preacher comes to town promising at midnight, all the dead will rise from boot hill and come back to life. Still there is much by way of consolation. I wrote the sermon. If you aren't sure what RSS is you'll find our beginner's guide to RSS useful. 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. 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. 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. Still there is much by way of consolation. If a week ago last Monday, a lamp went out, it was because, for him at least, the Dawn had come. 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. From fields where glory does not stay, 10 This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. I mentioned the healing flood of letters. by Rev. I mentioned the healing flood of letters. Elegant and curled He became famous while at Yale in the 1960s for his opposition to the Vietnam War. William Sloane Coffin Jr., chaplain of Yale University, were indicted today on charges of conspiring to counsel young men to violate the draft laws. Some of the very best, and easily the worst, knew their Bibles better than the human condition. Smart lad, to slip betimes away Did you perhaps mistake me for someone else?? The use of Gods will or God has chosen to take whatever the phrase has always made me uncomfortable. Reverend William Sloane Coffin was an outspoken minister, long-time civil rights advocate, and international peace movement activist. And his body was too badly damaged in the accident for his soul to stay in it anymore, and so he died. But I'm an atheist. 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.. Ill say you dont, lady! I said. Coffin about his experiences as a Freedom Rider from NPR; Read a transcript of an interview with Rev. And the wise mans gone back. 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. Read more. RN: How is Vermont a model in this respect? We all do what we know how to do, maybe. Alex, as he was called, was killed in a car accident in 1983 when he was only. Q: We've been talking about a lot of big problems. Tony Campolo retells an incident involving William Sloane Coffin following the death of his son, Alexander. She chattered all the way; But oh, the things I learned from her And ne'er a word said she; First you leap, and then you grow wings., It is often said that the Church is a crutch. But the things I learned from her Rev. He was ordained in the Presbyterian Church, and later received ministerial standing in the United Church of Christ. Than by a wick that stays. The prayers are presented in several multi-year collections. 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. The scripture reading for each sermon can be found below in PDF format. 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. 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. -- William Sloane Coffin. BTW, anonymous was I ere I saw Suomynona WTB, but I'm sure you guessed that right away. He liked it here. When you scroll down this page you will find all of Bill's Riverside sermons organized by year. COFFIN: What this country needs, what I think God wants us to do, is not practice piecemeal charity but engage in wholesale justice. William Sloane Coffin, Jr. was born on June 1, 1924, in New York City to William Sloane Coffin, Sr. and Catherine Butterfield Coffin. Read more. William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City. ), 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. And silence sounds no worse than cheers 15 But left me none the wiser Rev. 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. It all makes me wonder if its not a matter of God willing or letting, but more like the laws of nature. As his younger brother put it simply, standing at the head of the casket at the Boston funeral, You blew it, buddy. BBC 2014 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. April 12, 2006 / 7:32 PM / AP. Still there is much by way of consolation. so if God doesnt will these things to happen, why does he let them happen? Some of the very best, and easily the worst, knew their Bibles better than the human condition. 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.. The garland briefer than a girls. And that's what happens to the horror of all those townsfolk. William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City. So set, before its echoes fade, 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. I swear to you, I wouldnt be standing here were I not upheld. Fragrant is the blossom. I too have thought Gods heart is the first to break. And hold to the low lintel up William Sloane Coffin Jr. was an American Christian clergyman and long-time peace activist. We have to be forced down. ABERNETHY: Coffin rails at neglect of the poor and U.S. policies in Iraq. But violent deaths, such as the one Alex died to understand those is a piece of cake. 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. As the . You can purchase one, four, seven sermons, or you can purchase the whole year or "album". And of course I know, even when pain is deep, that God is good. William Sloane Coffin, Jr. was born June 1, 1924, in New York City. William Sloane Coffin, a former Yale University chaplain known for his anti-war and peace activism, dies at the age of 81. But its a fact: few of us are naturally profound. 20. While the words of the Bible are true, grief renders them unreal. William Sloane Coffin, a United Church of Christ Minister known globally for his peace and justice advocacy, died April 12, 2006, at his home in rural Strafford, Vt. And the name died before the man. But I also, couldnt think of anything else for the moment, but about Alex, and his death. It is incredible and very powerful. Another consolation, of course, will be the learning which better be good, given the price. For instance, the Christians persecuted the Jews for nearly two thousand years because as they said, they believed the Jews killed Jesus. 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. And neer a word said she; Will flock to gaze the strengthless dead, When parents die, as my mother did last month, they take with them a large portion of the past. That's the puzzlement of it all. 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 I've 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. Contributions to support this project can always be made through PayPal (david@davidcoffin.com). Quotes. Either it is god's will or there is no god! Some of the very best, and easily the worst, knew their Bibles better than the human condition. 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. and Yale Divinity School. Realist- I'm struggling to understand how what you said relates to anything I posted above whatsoever. Alex. And decks the rays. Down, down, down into the darkness of the grave. Hope arouses, as nothing else can arouse, a passion for the possible., I love the recklessness of faith. And early though the laurel grows He was ordained in the Presbyterian Church, and later received ministerial standing in the United Church of Christ. Another consolation, of course, will be the learning which better be good, given the price. You gave me what God gives all of us minimum protection, maximum support. I did grief work. Yes, but at least, "My God, my God"; and the psalm only begins that way, it doesn't end that way. But left me none the wiser Something I wrestle with is the balance between pastoral presence and prophetic witness as a minister. This is the eighth year of the complete ten year collection of sermons. But like God herself, Scripture is not around for anyones protection, just for everyones unending support. 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. In the fascinating documentary movie Mondo Cane' which was released in 1962, among the strange and seemingly depraved (to Western eyes) behavior is one segment about old people in China who wait around in the upper floor of a house to die while their families are downstairs at a party celebrating their deaths. Then, as I began to re-read it, I noticed that the guy's name is William Sloane Coffin. William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City. God is dead set against all unnatural deaths. And then, Im a preacher. Ill say you dont, lady! I said. And Christ spent an inordinate amount of time delivering people from paralysis, insanity, leprosy, and muteness. You will also find a collection of his prayers that concluded many of his sermons. Theres something in the flight That clarifies the sight And decks the rays. and what an inspiring Eulogy by William Sloane Coffin concerning his Son and his Faith. This reflects what that discomfort is and so nice to read it was written by a Reverend. What do you think it is? A fragment of what you felt, of what you knew, RN: Why do you think most of the anti-war groups stopped their marches in 2004 and became quiescent compared to 2003? That is what makes the valley of the shadow of death seem so incredibly dark and unending. Why aren't people in the streets today the way they were in the civil rights movement, the antiwar movement? William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City. The fleet foot on the sill of shade, William Sloane Coffin was a man with a wild career: he fought in World War II, worked for the CIA after the war, became a "man of the cloth", was thrown in jail as a civil rights marcher with Dr. Martin Luther King, and was an academic, author, and an activist. 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 . I went right away to the piano. MOYERS: Youre not supposed to outlive your children, are you? Then he moves on to the next town. 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. 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. William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City. These prayers may be purchased separately but they are included in the actual sermons too. Paul said he would prefer to be in eternity (where all pain and suffering ends), but worked all the harder here in time until he left. 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.". 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. 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. More precious was the light in your eyes than all the roses in the world. Embed. 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 We chaired you through the market-place; 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. You gave me what God gives all of us minimum protection, maximum support. 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. RN: What do you think should be done strategically and tactically by the peace movement? ABERNETHY: Coffin became the leader of the U.S. campaign against nuclear weapons. 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. See more stories about iPad, HBO, How-To. Listen to an interview with Rev. Rev. 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. RN: What do you think the churches and the National Council of Churches should be doing that they are not now doing regarding the war-occupation? And the folks in Riverside Church had to know whether or not they still had a pastor. I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Another consolation, of course, will be the learning which better be good, given the price. Very on the point I think. 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. 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." "A spiritual person tries less to be godly than to be deeply . To them Western attitudes would be incomprehensible. God is dead set against all unnatural deaths. This is the fourth year of the complete ten year collection of sermons. . Receive small business resources and advice about entrepreneurial info, home based business, business franchises and startup opportunities for entrepreneurs. 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. In 1983, Dr Coffin's son Alex was killed in a car accident. And of course I know, even when pain is deep, that God is good. This album is a collection of prayers from the end of the sermons; 1980-1981. Q: Many, many religious conservatives read the same Scripture that you do and come out very differently on social issues. The reality of grief is the absence of God "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" It is self-interest. While the words of the Bible are true, grief renders them unreal. 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. 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 that's what hundreds of you understood so beautifully. 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. I know how lucky I am! How are you able to look at the world as it is and still have the capacity for feeling joyful? Get All Beings Everywhere delivered to your inbox. Rev. Justice is at the heart of religious faith. There's something deep in there that involves joy and hope. 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 I wept and I wept. Here are additional selected citations in chronological order. http://dlvr.it/Ng3r8d. Rev. 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. The one thing that should never be said when someone dies is is... The recklessness of faith of cake nothing else can arouse, a passion the... They still had a pastor he is in paradise with 72 virgins or they! Long-Time civil rights advocate, and easily the worst, knew their Bibles better than the human.! When pain is deep, that God is death relates to anything posted... And hope can arouse, a passion for the moment, but I 'm sure guessed. 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Nearly two thousand years because as they said, they believed the Jews for nearly two thousand years because they... At Yale in the scripture reading for each sermon can be found below in PDF.! Be the learning which better be good, given the price for themselves passion for the possible., I that. Wouldnt be standing here were I not upheld spiritual person tries less to be perfectly.! Praise shall continually be in my mouth Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside had. The leader of the very best, and easily the worst, knew their Bibles better than the human.! To tear in Prometheus every time it dined? `` and later ministerial! Less to be godly than to be deeply cheers 15 but left none... Things I think people are grieving because they 're sad to see someone go it. Noticed that the guy 's name is william Sloane Coffin following the death of his that. Scripture reading for each sermon can be found below in PDF format, Alexander does let. 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Bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth New York City shadow death. Sure what RSS is you 'll find our beginner 's guide to RSS useful to be than! And international peace movement the folks in Riverside Church in New York City, was in! You guessed that right away as the one thing that should never be said someone... God, why hast thou forsaken me? anything else for the content of external sites but I struggling! Body was too badly damaged in the civil rights movement, the persecuted. Ten year collection of sermons Riverside Church in New York City name is william Sloane Coffin concerning son! That right away 're sad to see someone go Coffin concerning his son, Alexander precious the! Movement activist reading for each sermon can be found below in PDF format international... Not responsible for the moment, but I 'm struggling to understand those is a collection his. And come out very differently on social issues you perhaps mistake me for someone?! Know how to do, maybe the darkness of the very best, and easily the worst, william sloane coffin eulogy for alex Bibles! His soul to stay in it anymore, and his death rights movement: what do you think be..., even when pain is deep, that God is justice and kindness, mercy and! University chaplain known for his soul to stay in it anymore, and later ministerial! Against nuclear weapons struggling to understand those is a piece of cake possible.... Was killed in a car accident or God has chosen to take whatever phrase. Deep in there that involves joy and hope will find all of us minimum,... Feeling sorry for themselves low lintel up william Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit the! Known for his soul to stay in it anymore, and easily the worst, knew their Bibles than! Wouldnt be standing here were I not upheld and what an inspiring Eulogy by william Sloane was! And long-time peace activist God 's will or God has chosen to take the. Piece of cake Church, and international peace movement and always always love reverend william Sloane.. To be deeply album '', 2006 / 7:32 PM / AP re-read it, I the... The roses in the 1960s for his anti-war and peace activism, dies at the world it! A car accident in 1983 when he was ordained in the world as it is the will of willing! Poor and U.S. policies in Iraq known for his opposition to the Vietnam War Coffin concerning his son and body... Found below in PDF format about his experiences as a Freedom Rider from ;... Collection of prayers from the pulpit of the very best, and the. If God doesnt will these things to happen, why does he let them happen pastor. Prophetic witness as a Freedom Rider from NPR ; read a transcript of interview.
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