I wrote the sermon. That makes two of us. BTW, anonymous was I ere I saw Suomynona WTB, but I'm sure you guessed that right away. 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. tragic death of at least 26 Polish pilgrims, The Faraday Institute for Science and Religion, Jonathan Merritt and the ethics of "outing". But you seem to be able to deal with these problems in a way that recalls some deep confidence. God does not spill milk. This is the second year of the complete ten year collection of sermons. and what an inspiring Eulogy by William Sloane Coffin concerning his Son and his Faith. And I played all the hymns. As the . I swear to you, I wouldnt be standing here were I not upheld. He was ordained in the Presbyterian Church, and later received ministerial standing in the United Church of Christ. This website is the home of the William Sloane Coffin Sermon Archive Project. The Rev. You gave me what God gives all of us minimum protection, maximum support. After the death of his wife, C.S. So. The Rev. The title of the sermon is "Alex's Death" and it comes on the heals of Rev. I did grief work. A formula, A phrase remains.but the best is lost. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: The humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. 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. Thousands of people have died without the benefit of a poetic father! Read more. The still-defended challenge-cup. Embed. When you scroll down this page you will find all of Bill's Riverside sermons organized by year. And home we brought you shoulder-high. Interview with Religion & Ethics Newsweekly. It is self-interest. William Sloane Coffin Jr. in 1986. RN: Any comparisons between the domestic opposition to the Iraq War/Occupation with the domestic opposition to the Vietnam War? If you aren't sure what RSS is you'll find our beginner's guide to RSS useful. 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. 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. But was he a criminal? Bill Coffin flourished here, in the cracked common clay of an earthly and earthy life. ashington, Jan. 5--Five men, including Dr. Benjamin Spock, the author and pediatrician, and the Rev. But when children die, they take away the future as well. A Prayer by William Sloan Coffin Jr., 1983. You can purchase individual sermons for $4.42 (includes processing fees). "I'll say you don't, lady!" It seems to me for those believers who grieve, their religion brings them little more comfort than those who don't. Get All Beings Everywhere delivered to your inbox. It is truly a labor of love (a lot of labor; a lot of love) to digitally "Save Bill's Voice." Delivered from the Riverside Church pulpit over his ten years as senior minister, there were over 300 sermons in need of archiving to a digital format. William Sloane Coffin Compassion, Sentimental, Individual William Sloane Coffin (2004). As you look around the country today, I wonder whether you see an absence of commitment to great causes with great passion. So while trite, its true: I walked a mile with Pleasure, She chattered all the way; But left me none the wiser For all she had to say. And I wept and I wept. I know how lucky I am! Last week my senior minister shared with me a sermon dated January 23, 1983 (Palm Sunday) written by William Sloane Coffin. 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). I swear to you, I wouldnt be standing here were I not upheld. William Sloane Coffin, who died Wednesday at the age of 81 of congestive heart failure, was known as a civil rights activist and outspoken critic of the Vietnam War. by Rev. God gave man dominion over the world at the beginning - and free will - and man so man has had the responsibility for his conduct since then, and for infecting all of creation with his sin. John Wright #5 But like God herself, Scripture is not around for anyone's protection, just for everyone's unending support. For the latest updates across BBC blogs, visit the Blogs homepage. I know how lucky I am! 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. Getentrepreneurial.com: Resources for Small Business Entrepreneurs in 2022. Itsjust one of those things I think is worth a read by all. Ten days after Alex's death, he delivered this extraordinary sermon to his congregation at Riverside Church in New York City. I was first introduced to this sermon years agoin a college communications course, and I have thought of it with surprising regularityever since. First you leap, and then you grow wings." --- William Sloane Coffin. Will flock to gaze the strengthless dead, 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. Because there are no rankling unanswered questions, and because Alex and I simply adored each other, the wound for me is deep, but clean. Didnt the eagle find a fresh liver to tear in Prometheus every time it dined?. so if God doesnt will these things to happen, why does he let them happen? 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. These are some of the popular topics this blog covers. In other word, good patriots are not nationalists. 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. 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. Welcome to the sermons and prayers download page. William Sloane Coffin challenged the nation with his passionate calls for social justice. This album is a collection of prayers from the end of the sermons; 1982-1983. Then a miracle working preacher comes to town promising at midnight, all the dead will rise from boot hill and come back to life. After the death of Coffin's father in 1933, the family moved to Carmel, California, where William attended public school until the ninth grade, when he attended Deerfield Academy in Deerfield, Massachusetts. While the words of the Bible are true, grief renders them unreal. No one meant it to happen. 2023 Barbara Becker / All Beings Everywhere. But its a fact: few of us are naturally profound. 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. Well, that really is selfish and here I thought some believers like Christians are supposed to be charitable. So if you want to know where God is in this or in anything, look for love., Your email address will not be published. Less sceptical commentators may point to mechanical -- and possibly human -- failure on a notoriously dangerous road. It is self-interest. __________________ 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. Just click the play button. That is what makes the valley of the shadow of death seem so incredibly dark and unending. Q: Let me ask you to look back a little bit at some of the great movements you were part of. This is beautiful!!! Q: What's the essential connection for you between religious faith and justice? (Lord Byron). T he Rev. 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. God is dead set against all unnatural deaths. Is that so hard to understand? So if someone says, "Are you saved?" And of course I know, even when pain is deep, that God is good. And decks the rays. 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. The one thing that should never be said when someone dies is "It is the will of God." This brings up additional illogic in religion. William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City. Because there are no rankling unanswered questions, and because Alex and I simply adored each other, the wound for me is deep, but clean. 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. Rev. Ill say you dont, lady! I said. Theres something in the flight That clarifies the sight And decks the rays. Robert Browning Hamilton. What can be done to turn this public support into organized opposition? #Ignorance #Self #Violence. Another consolation, of course, will be the learning which better be good, given the price. 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. offers one more complicated blessing. I sought the Lord, and he heard me, You can stay up to date with Will & Testament via these feeds. He was a cleric. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. 18 Sourced Quotes. 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. When its true and painful, say it softly, None of us have the right to avert our gaze. #Firsts #Leap #Wings. During WWII, Coffin joined the army and later served as a CIA agent after the outbreak of the Korean War. Lewis wrote, They say the coward dies many times; so does the beloved. And the wise mans gone back. 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. By a departing light We see acuter quite Than by a wick that stays. View all William Sloane Coffin Quotes. This well-intentioned person had brought in a dinner for Coffin and his family and said, "I just don't understand the will of God." He said: "I'll say you don't, friend. Another consolation, of course, will be the learning which better be good, given the price. Still there is much by way of consolation. Q: Where does the rise of conservatism, especially on the religious Right among Protestant evangelicals, fit into this whole thing? I agree about the need for silence regarding those grieving. 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. When a person dies, there are many things that can be said, and there is at least one thing that should never be said. 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. To-day, the road all runners come, 5 . Q: What should we be mindful of when we make defense policy? William Sloane Coffin Jr. (June 1, 1924 - April 12, 2006) was an American Christian clergyman and long-time peace activist. William Sloane Coffin, a former Yale University chaplain known for his anti-war and peace activism, dies at the age of 81. If you had a pastoral visit with the president, what would you say? 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. 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 The use of Gods will or God has chosen to take whatever the phrase has always made me uncomfortable. And Christ spent an inordinate amount of time delivering people from paralysis, insanity, leprosy, and muteness. RN: What should the U.S. government do now? Alex. William Sloane Coffin Jr. (June 1, 1924 - April 12, 2006) was an American Christian clergyman and long-time peace activist. Rev. I was moved to tears, to be perfectly honest. Hope arouses, as nothing else can arouse, a passion for the possible., I love the recklessness of faith. Q: It must make you terribly frustrated to see all the things you think are wrong and not being righted, and not be able to play the part in leading those movements that you once did. While the words of the Bible are true, grief renders them unreal. Q: As you look back on everything you've done in your wonderful life, what are you most proud of? Because there are no rankling unanswered questions, and because Alex and I simply adored each other, the wound for me is deep, but clean. When sorrow walked with me. Did you perhaps mistake me for someone else?? Didn't the eagle find a fresh liver to tear in Prometheus every time it dined?". Reprinted with permission of theWilliam Sloane Coffin Sermon Archive Project. Still there is much by way of consolation. The reality of grief is the solitude of pain, the feeling that your heart is in pieces, your mind's a blank, that "there is no joy the world can give like that it takes away." We see acuter quite 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. 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? There are many kinds of silence, and one of them is a humbled, respectful, listening silence. An Eulogy for Alex Coffin to his congregation at the Riverside Church in New York City. I know how lucky I am! Why aren't people in the streets today the way they were in the civil rights movement, the antiwar movement? Didnt the eagle find a fresh liver to tear in Prometheus every time it dined? When parents die, as my mother did last month, they take with them a large portion of the past. Like A.E. Eyes the shady night has shut The more we love the bigger we are, There is no smaller package in the world than a man all wrapped up in himself.. --Robert Browning Hamilton. SERMON: Alex's Death, by William Sloane Coffin, Jr. Posted on October 6, 2013. This album is a collection of prayers from the end of the sermons; 1980-1981. Hello Select your address Have a think about the bigger picture!! Will was tyring to elicit thoughts about the whole concept of a god's will. 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. How much suffering? Houseman, To an Athlete Dying Young. And I wept and I wept. 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.. and Yale Divinity School. God is dead set against all unnatural deaths. Alex, as he was called, was killed in a car accident in 1983 when he was only. Download. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. There's something deep in there that involves joy and hope. To them Western attitudes would be incomprehensible. 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. COFFIN: No. ABERNETHY: Coffin became the leader of the U.S. campaign against nuclear weapons. Well yes this is all very well but why, then, do Christians _thank_ God when something goes right. Pursuit, swarming all over her 's unending support then you grow &... For his anti-war and peace activism, dies at the Riverside Church in New York City individual sermons $. Army and later received ministerial standing in the streets today the way were... 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