<div dir="auto">Dear Ann,<div dir="auto">Though John had alerted us, I was initially taken aback with your words that he had completed his life. Now I'm overcome with memories of our shared optimistic youthfulness and John's unbelievable brilliance and depth. I am grateful for the gift of his life to the world and to have known him.</div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">I will share this with Carlos. Hugs and prayers for you dear one.</div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">Joyce</div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Fri, Jun 26, 2020, 12:17 PM Beret Griffith via OE <<a href="mailto:oe@lists.wedgeblade.net">oe@lists.wedgeblade.net</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div dir="ltr"><span id="m_-7947662572719482069m_-529152201945651777gmail-docs-internal-guid-cb0803e1-7fff-8a26-c50f-b10649b3e2b0"><p style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">In thanks for the life of John Epps</span></p><p style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">In appreciation for life changing conversations</span></p><p style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">To hear him again through his writings....doorways, always doorways.</span></p><p style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">An offering from another writer...</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Praying</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">by Mary Oliver</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">It doesn’t have to be</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">the blue iris, it could be</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">weeds in a vacant lot, or a few</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">small stones; just</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">pay attention, then patch</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">a few words together and don’t try</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">to make them elaborate, this isn’t</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">a contest but the doorway</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">into thanks, and a silence in which</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">another voice may speak.</span></p><br></span><div>John's work as General Editor for the Bending History books - a gift to all.</div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Fri, Jun 26, 2020 at 11:41 AM Sarah H. Buss via OE <<a href="mailto:oe@lists.wedgeblade.net" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">oe@lists.wedgeblade.net</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">Blessings in transition to you, John, and to you, Ann.<br>
Sarah <br>
<br>
<br>
Sent from my iPhone<br>
<br>
> On Jun 26, 2020, at 10:11 AM, Jack Gilles via OE <<a href="mailto:oe@lists.wedgeblade.net" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">oe@lists.wedgeblade.net</a>> wrote:<br>
> <br>
> Ann,<br>
> <br>
> I want to join with my colleagues and the hosts of people who ever encountered John. He was the bearer or the wisdom of profound living, he was the presence of one who served and his love was boundless. May he rest, in a Journey completed in embracing the Mystery. May God bless him and comfort you. I miss him. Thank you John. <br>
> <br>
> Peace,<br>
> <br>
> Jack<br>
> <br>
>> On Jun 26, 2020, at 8:11 AM, John Epps via OE <<a href="mailto:oe@lists.wedgeblade.net" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">oe@lists.wedgeblade.net</a>> wrote:<br>
>> <br>
>> Dear Communion of Saints,<br>
>> <br>
>> John's earthly existence was completed on Wednesday morning, June 24, 2020.<br>
>> <br>
>> His last words were "thank you," the same words he wrote to you on June 9 in his brief comments, "Thanks for the memories."<br>
>> <br>
>> For five days we were privileged to be in the lovely Denver Hospice which enveloped us with grace and compassion.<br>
>> <br>
>> I am grateful for your many comments of appreciation for John in response to his "Last Collegium."  <br>
>> <br>
>> His remains will be interred at the Montview Presbyterian Church Columbarium in Denver.<br>
>> <br>
>> Grace and Peace,<br>
>> <br>
>> Ann<br>
>> <br>
>> <br>
>> _______________________________________________<br>
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