“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”–Matthew 11:28-30
As we remember and celebrate the life of Susan P. Dickerman, our friend, colleague, teacher and beloved member of this church, let us hold on to the promises of God to give us rest. Sue’s life was full. She parented two wonderful sons, loved her daughters-in-law and delighted in being a grandmother. She celebrated her extended family who lived across the US and poured her heart and soul into her family in the United Church of Christ.
She always had a new idea for helping young people encounter our still speaking God! Her energy and creativity helped her work for justice for women in all kinds of ministry and she stood courageously with the LGBT and same gender loving community. We are an Open and Affirming denomination because she dared to speak for love and justice for all.
What a busy life! It must have been exhausting too, as she was always organizing something new. I hope and trust that the love she shared with so many was returned to her a hundredfold.
The final days of Sue’s life were ones of struggle as she fought to have good time to share with her loved ones, to share her love with her family and closest friends, and to come to terms with the cancer that ended her life.
I am glad that she is now at peace, resting her soul in God’s love. She doesn’t have to worry about the next program or if the caterer will arrive on time. No more concerns about permission slips for kids going on youth group trips, and no worries about how to help manage the floor at the General Synod. May we each be filled with the hope of that peace for ourselves, and bask gently in the love that Sue is surely sending to us today and every day. –Fran Bogle
Keep us centered and slow moving in a world that wants us to rush, O God of peace. Remind us daily of the things of heart and soul that are more important than schedules. Let us take time to pat cats and dog, eat meals around the kitchen table, and talk to each other from our hearts. Enable us to return to the touchstone of your love in our grief and in our joy. Amen