In the year 2007, July 1, was a Sunday. I remember it well, because it was on that day, that I began my pastorate here. The first day of a pastor's new appointment is always special, but what was most special to me that year was serving communion to Russell Clark.
This year July 1 is again a Sunday. I expect to remember it well for it marks my fifth anniversary as your pastor. Anniversaries are always special, but the most special part of this anniversary will not be in the morning, but in the afternoon as I participate in a service celebrating the long and impressive life of that same Russell Clark.
Any tears that I had on July 1, 2007 were tears of awe and joy. The tears I anticipate on July 1, 2012 will be tears of loss and emptiness, but also gratitude.
I initially encountered Russell Clark about thirty years before I first served him communion. That was well before I had accepted the call to ministry. I had been told that the pastor at Corning First was regarded as one of the conference's best preachers. And so, the next time I was in that city, I went to check him out.
In the summer of 2002, my first summer in the North Country, Marge and I joined a friend for dinner at Norwood UMC's chicken barbeque. Our friend introduced us to a couple of his pastoral colleagues. I recognized one as the preacher I had sought out a quarter century before. He was now retired, but still highly regarded.
That preacher was, of course, Russell Clark.
I guess it was inevitable that I would meet Russell. In a sense it seems to me that God has "surrounded" me with Russell's family.
His son, Bruce was a predecessor at Grace and Hogansburg. His maternal great grandfather, Amasa Woodward had also served Grace (when it was the Raquette River church). In 2009, I was asked to coordinate the lay speakers at West Stockholm. Russell's father Wilbur had served that congregation. It seemed that I could not escape Russell's family - but then again I did not want to.
I am indebted to Russell (who had been familiar with my ministry at Grace and Hogansburg) for helping pave the way for my ministry here by telling the congregation that they were going to like me. I an indebted to him for the encouragement that both he and June gave to Marge and me.
During the last five years, I have been enriched by having Russell Clark share things with me. I will always remember the Sunday he observed, "You preach to everyone in the congregation, not just to a portion." It was something that I felt I did, but on which no one had ever commented. For me. it was quite an affirmation.
And, of course, I have, at times, sought out his advice and insight. We didn't always agree, but we always respected each other. We have shared the pulpit at funerals and memorial services and now with his passing, I will feel free to adopt his "I have to feed the chickens" story - with proper attribution, of course.
For me, the most moving moment of the year occurred Friday, June 1, 2012 when, with Russell's family gathered around him, I lit the candle in memory of June during the UNY Annual Conference Memorial Service. On Sunday morning, Russell left us as well.
For me it has been a remarkable experience to have had Russell Clark, with his gifts, experiences, and stature as a resource during my first years as your pastor.
Even as I mourn over the fact that I will not have him to lean on, my greater reaction is one of celebration of, and thanksgiving for, the fact that I have had the honor and benefit of having him as a friend, colleague, and resource for the last half decade. God has blessed me.
It is my prayer that, I will continue to use and share what I have received from him.
Jim
That first day of my pastorate I felt honored to serve the congregation in which Russell continued to worship during his retirement, That sense of honor has never left me - and probably never will.