Hello –
Saturday’s funeral for the Rev. Hugh Hardin was one of the most important events in the last decade at St. Paul’s. There were 260 people there and, thanks to the planning of Hugh and Betty, there were many people who kept the bulletin afterwards because they wanted their own funeral some day to be just as holy and beautiful.
There are four things I want everyone in our extended St. Paul’s family to know about what happened Saturday.
• A New Plaque. On the wall behind the altar there are two very large plaques. One is in memory of the Rev. Ernst Hartmann, rector from 1892-98 and the other is for the Rev. Ernst Bradley, rector from 1906-08 and 1920-30 and Emeritus from 1952-57. Despite the fact that his name was not Ernst, both the Vestry and the SPRIF III committee unanimously approved the creation of a third plaque in honor of Hugh as part of the SPRIF III campaign. This is particularly appropriate as Hugh led SPRIFs I and II. He was Associate in 1966 and then Rector from 1967-93.
• ‘First Class.’ After the Pall Bearers put Hugh’s casket in he hearse, the funeral director turned to me and said ‘That was first class.’ He then went on to specify the work of a wide range of people who made the entire funeral so extraordinary. The fact is, everyone who participated was at their very best. From the ushers to the worship leaders to those who hosted the reception, it was an event served with great grace and excellence. Thank you to each of you who made it all work.
• Nedi. One of the most moving moments was at the very end of the service when the the Rt. Rev. ‘Nedi’ Rivera, Bishop of Eastern Oregon, stood under the rood screen, but above Hugh’s casket, with her miter on, and blessed the congregation. Nedi was seminarian at St. Paul’s in the early 1970s before women were even allowed to be ordained. It was just one of many moments that reminded all of us of the profound and long-lasting impact for the good that Hugh had in the world.
• Hugh’s Good-bye. I closed my Homily by quoting the close of a letter Hugh wrote dated November 9, 1993, when he announced his retirement:
‘It is a time for Christ to recreate you- a new parish, doing new things in new ways. It will be a time of resurrection! Don’t dread it, but rather rejoice in what Christ will do among you. And keep Christ’s command before you always ‘Love one another as I have loved you.’
Into you hands, O Lord, we commend your servant Hugh.
Blessings,
Christopher
p: (415) 456-4842