[Oe List ...] Spirit-filled Memorial for Bill Bailey

[Judi White via OE]

Thank you Lynda. Feeling like I was there with you as I would like to have
been. Ver uplifting. You have a ralent for describing the beauty in
everything. Love, Judi

On Monday, February 6, 2017, Lynda C via OE <oe at lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:

> A couple of weeks ago, In Asheville, NC, members of the OE community
> gathered with members of the Jubilee community and Bill and Marianna’s
> family and friends to celebrate and honor the life and service of Bill, not
> only in Asheville, but also around the world.  John and I, Elaine Stover
> and Marie Sharp represented our OE community.
>
> Bill and Marianna were founding members of a unique congregation called
> Jubilee Community Church in Asheville.  Every time I’ve attended, I walk
> away challenged and uplifted.  Bill's  memorial service was no exception.
> I’ve learned  that the service was recorded.  Marianna is looking into how
> it might be shared. I recall how “connected” I felt when other services
> have been shared.
>
> *Below are some of the highlights of Bill’s memorial service* from  notes
> I wrote when we returned home:
>
> > The haunting and calling to Attention of  Scottish Pipes
>
> > Leonard Cohen's  “Ring those Bells”  … imperfect world …with cracks
> …that’s where the light gets in.
>
> > Lynn’s tribute to her dad read by her husband Allen:  "Watch ye
> therefore ….You shall wear a Golden Crown!"
> (In my mind I could hear our spirited group singing that old gospel song.
> We could add that to our list of songs to sing when one of our community is
> celebrated.)
>
> > Tom’s recollections of his dad  and sharing tributes and memories sent
> by others.  Story of container for Bill’s ashes:  an antique  handmade
> pottery stew pot: reminded him of Bill’s cogitating style of “stewing” upon
> some issue or challenge.
>
> > Video of family years with children and grandchildren, with music like
> Moon River accompaniment.  Story of Bill and Marianna’s elopement while
> they were in high school.  16 and 17 years old.  Married 67 years.  Bill
> and Marianna, what a team!
>
> > Story of Bill’s death, night of full moon, of his relaxing as Marianna
> opened the curtains for him to see, then breathing his last.  Music playing
> in the room:  “Won't you come home, Bill Bailey?”
>
> > Congregation invited to whistle along with "Won’t You Come Home?”
>
> > Song "I’ll Fly Away" by congregation
>
> > Another Leonard Cohen song where congregation joined in with the
> Hallelujahs
>
> > Reaching out to folks around us as we sang “Let it Be a Dance"
>
> > Commission to  Pay It Forward re: Bill’s greatness
>
> > Postlude:  "Won’t  You Come Home, Blll Bailey?”
>
> > "Amazing Grace" and bagpipes
>
> > Some danced in celebration as the postlude was played, with gratitude
> for having been privileged to share in the life of Bill (and Marianna).
>
>
> John and I are grateful for the shared memories of so many on this list
> serve that helped us all to “re-member” Bill more fully.
> As we hold Marianna and Tom, Lynn, and Nan and their families in our care,
> we wanted to share a bit  of this service with our OE community.
>
> Lynda Cock
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

-- 
Sent from Gmail Mobile
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.wedgeblade.net/pipermail/oe-wedgeblade.net/attachments/20170206/b8e15502/attachment.html>