Cannot see the record cut, Transcript - William Sloane Coffin's Eulogy for Alex Ten days after his son, Alex, was killed in a car accident, Reverend William Sloane Coffin delivered this moving eulogy turned sermon, filled with deep truth and deep pain about the realities of death and the true (not trite) hope we have in God. Alex. And thats what hundreds of you understood so beautifully. And decks the rays. In other word, good patriots are not nationalists. 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. Click the cart icon next to a sermon in the player below to add a sermon to your cart. But like God herself, Scripture is not around for anyone's protection, just for everyone's unending support. All too often we speak when we should be listening This is the eighth year of the complete ten year collection of sermons. William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City. After one year at Yale, Coffin joined the U.S. Army, in which he served until 1947, when he returned to Yale, graduating with a B.A. Rev. There's something deep in there that involves joy and hope. Only reverance can restrain violence - reverance for human life and the environment. William Sloane Coffin Jr., a Presbyterian minister and social activist who was an outspoken leader of the civil rights and antiwar movements of the 1960s and '70s, died Wednesday at his . This is the third year of the complete ten year collection of sermons. So set, before its echoes fade, So what is the role of the university chaplain? 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. 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. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Yes, but at least, My God, my God; and the psalm only begins that way, it doesnt end that way. Last year Union Theological Seminary in New York gave him its highest medal. During WWII, Coffin joined the army and later served as a CIA agent after the outbreak of the Korean War. And of course I know, even when pain is deep, that God is good. You gave me what God gives all of us minimum protection, maximum support. And silence sounds no worse than cheers 15 God is dead set against all unnatural deaths. By a departing light We see acuter quite Than by a wick that stays. Q: As you look back on everything you've done in your wonderful life, what are you most proud of? And that's what happens to the horror of all those townsfolk. Bill Coffin was such a man. Individual prayers and sermons can be purchased by clicking the cart icon next to each prayer or sermon title. This is the fifth year of the complete ten year collection of sermons. While I could never presume to know the answer, I do take comfort in this passage from the author Kate Braestrup, which I wrote in my final post on this blog (below). 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 worlds army of the bereaved. For the latest updates across BBC blogs, visit the Blogs homepage. I swear to you, I wouldnt be standing here were I not upheld. But the things I learned from her Even as he was trying to cooperate gracefully with the inevitability of death, he was also coaching Paul Newman to play the preacher in the film version of Marilynn Robinson's novel Gilead. And read the poems. Additionally, a 301 Moved Permanently error was encountered while trying to use an ErrorDocument to handle the request. And thats what hundreds of you understood so beautifully. I'm always puzzled at these Moslem women who wail like Banshees when their terrorist sons are killed as what they believe to be martyrs. Because there are no rankling unanswered questions, and because Alex and I simply adored each other, the wound for me is deep, but clean. He liked it here. This is the second year of the complete ten year collection of sermons. You can purchase one, four, seven sermons, or you can purchase the whole year or "album". We see acuter quite But . This brings up additional illogic in religion. And the folks in Riverside Church had to know whether or not they still had a pastor. And set you at your threshold down, SERMON: Alex's Death, by William Sloane Coffin, Jr. Posted on October 6, 2013. After the death of his wife, C.S. Robert Browning Hamilton. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Yes, but at least, My God, my God; and the psalm only begins that way, it doesnt end that way. You blew it. The one thing that should never be said when someone dies is It is the will of God. Never do we know enough to say that. 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. While the words of the Bible are true, grief renders them unreal. ABERNETHY: Coffin rails at neglect of the poor and U.S. policies in Iraq. Q: What's the essential connection for you between religious faith and justice? I think it will serve as a reminder of many stupid things we all have said to people who are grieving the main one probably being Being with Dying: Cultivating Compassion and Fearlessness in the Presence of Death, Joan Halifax, Final Gifts: Understanding the Special Awareness, Needs and Communicatoins of the Dying, How Can I Help? William Sloane Coffin challenged the nation with his passionate calls for social justice. Coffin to his congregation at the Riverside Church in New York City. I walked a mile with Sorrow This is the seventh year of the complete ten year collection of sermons. I sought the Lord, and he heard me, But when children die, they take away the future as well. You blew it. The one thing that should never be said when someone dies is It is the will of God. Never do we know enough to say that. Hope arouses, as nothing else can arouse, a passion for the possible., I love the recklessness of faith. Q: What should we be mindful of when we make defense policy? 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, God's heart was the first of all our hearts to break. William Sloane Coffin, a former Yale University chaplain known for his anti-war and peace activism, dies at the age of 81. Getentrepreneurial.com: Resources for Small Business Entrepreneurs in 2022. What makes you think you dont limp?, Love measures our stature. But if anyone dare speak in response to this tragic accident, they could learn much from William Sloane Coffin, the American justice activist who died last year, about what not to say to. Download Sermon Scripture List(84 kb - PDF). So why were they angry? In his younger days he was an athlete, a talented pianist, a CIA officer, and later chaplain of Yale University, where the influence of H. Richard Niebuhr . A Prayer by William Sloan Coffin Jr., 1983. And decks the rays. Shoulder-high we bring you home, Brett & Kate McKay March 18, 2017 Last updated: June 16, 2021. This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. So I shall so let us all seek consolation in that love which never dies, and find peace in the dazzling grace that always is. I too have thought Gods heart is the first to break. I said. The Blessing of Grace by The Rev. But the point is this. So I shall so let us all seek consolation in that love which never dies, and find peace in the dazzling grace that always is. No. tragic death of at least 26 Polish pilgrims, The Faraday Institute for Science and Religion, Jonathan Merritt and the ethics of "outing". "Eulogy for Alex" by William Sloane Coffin When parents die, as my mother did last month, they take with them a large portion of the past. Fragrant is the blossom. God did not bash the truck into your fathers car. This is the fourth year of the complete ten year collection of sermons. Heres how Coffin explained how he managed to write and deliver this eulogy so soon after his sons death (from an interview with Bill Moyers): COFFIN: Well. And thats what hundreds of you understood so beautifully. Would it be abhorrent to find that intensely funny? 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 I've 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. 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. It seems to me for those believers who grieve, their religion brings them little more comfort than those who don't. Welcome to the sermons and prayers download page. and Yale Divinity School. The Theology of William Sloane Coffin Thursday, February 15, 2007 Eulogy for Alex 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. 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. The use of Gods will or God has chosen to take whatever the phrase has always made me uncomfortable. Sloan from Doonesbury; New Documentary: WWilliam Sloane Coffin: A Lover's . Man and boy stood cheering by, Another consolation, of course, will be the learning which better be good, given the price. BBC 2014 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Thought he was omnipotent and omnipresent. It remains a heartfelt classic in homiletics. You can stay up to date with Will & Testament via these feeds. Why would someone grieve for a loved one who is in heaven or in paradise. I'm sure there must be something somewhere in the Bible which says words to that effect. Less sceptical commentators may point to mechanical -- and possibly human -- failure on a notoriously dangerous road. Another consolation, of course, will be the learning which better be good, given the price. Nowhere in the scripture does it say, God is car accident or God is death. God is justice and kindness, mercy, and always always love. The Rev William Sloane Coffin A radical preacher and antiwar activist, he took on the American establishment Christopher Reed Thu 13 Apr 2006 19.04 EDT The upbringing of William Sloane. Apr 17, 2014 at 12:00 am. There is no god!! When a person dies, there are many things that can be said, and there is at least one thing that should never be said. Didn't the eagle find a fresh liver to tear in Prometheus every time it dined?". 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. These prayers may be purchased separately but they are included in the actual sermons too. Coffin on defense issues from the Center for Defense Information; Read Coffin's eulogy for his son Alex; Relive the past with Rev. Actually, its even more worth a listen; its considerably more powerful inthe oral form in which it was delivered, and the audio can be accessed here. 20. Its presence in my mind has been so frequent, especially recently after the loss of a dear friend, that I finally decided to share it here. 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. This album is a collection of prayers from the end of the sermons; 1977-1979. But left me none the wiser Down, down, down into the darkness of the grave. But it's a fact: few of us are naturally profound. Famously, at the height of that conflict . Why aren't people in the streets today the way they were in the civil rights movement, the antiwar movement? She chattered all the way; Then a miracle working preacher comes to town promising at midnight, all the dead will rise from boot hill and come back to life. Rev. 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. The Coffin award is given in honor of the life and ministry of William Sloane Coffin, former Chaplain to the University and one of the 20th century's most significant religious leaders. He was ordained in the Presbyterian Church, and later received ministerial standing in the United Church of Christ. What is happiness? And the wise man said, Happiness is when the grandfather dies, and then the father, and then the son. That is on the money. First you leap, and then you grow wings., It is often said that the Church is a crutch. The best of William Sloane Coffin, Jr. The recipient of the Coffin award will be someone who shares Coffin's passionate and prophetic witness, a courageous devotion to the dignity and worth of . Well yes this is all very well but why, then, do Christians _thank_ God when something goes right. I swear to you, I wouldnt be standing here were I not upheld. Alex, as he was called, was killed in a car accident in 1983 when he was only. Yale University's chaplain, the Rev. @art-of-manliness / art-of-manliness.tumblr.com, 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. We should be able to plumb the depths of sadness and rise to the heights of joy, even ecstasy, though at my age, its not too easy. so if God doesnt will these things to happen, why does he let them happen? I think in the end they pay him a fortune to make the dead go back to their graves. Still there is much by way of consolation. 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. 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. Houseman, To an Athlete Dying Young. And I wept and I wept. William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City. This is amazing. But violent deaths, such as the one Alex died to understand those is a piece of cake. Reprinted with permission of theWilliam Sloane Coffin Sermon Archive Project. The Rev. 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. If a week ago last Monday, a lamp went out, it was because, for him at least, the Dawn had come. Itsjust one of those things I think is worth a read by all. RN: Why do you think most of the anti-war groups stopped their marches in 2004 and became quiescent compared to 2003? I know how lucky I am! Coffin questioned authority throughout his career, using civil . Some of the very best, and easily the worst, knew their Bibles better than the human condition. I'm not a believer but at least I appreciate when people demonstrate that they actually believe in what they say they do. Some will even argue that God has a purpose in allowing the accident and will use this tragedy to provoke moral growth in the world (though one hopes that this explanation will not be offered in the hearing of any grieving family members). I am not resigned to the shutting away of loving hearts in the cold ground. Love without criticism is a kind of betrayal. You will also find a collection of his prayers that concluded many of his sermons. So if someone says, "Are you saved?" William Sloane Coffin Jr., was arrested several times during the civil rights movement. #Hope #Passion. Until one has personally experienced the loss of a loved one, one can not understand the feelings about the death both positive and negative. Q: Many, many religious conservatives read the same Scripture that you do and come out very differently on social issues. 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. If a week ago last Monday, a lamp went out, it was because, for him at least, the Dawn had come. Different cultures have different views of death. And [a lot of people] think that emotional mediocrity is the good life. is the blossom. This eulogy from William Sloane Coffin following the death of his son offers words of wisdom and hope for those struggling with the tragedy in Connecticut. Read more. Than by a wick that stays. The Theology of William Sloane Coffin. So it is, and so it will be, for so it has been, time out of mind. Its presence in my mind has been so frequent, especially recently after the loss of a dear friend, that I finally decided to share it here. I know that. I was moved to tears, to be perfectly honest. Every sermon constitutes a powerful reminder of his legacy-challenging the conscience of a nation. William Sloane Coffin Jr., a United Church of Christ minister known globally for his peace and justice advocacy, died April 12 at his home in rural Strafford, Vermont. William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City. COFFIN: What this country needs, what I think God wants us to do, is not practice piecemeal charity but engage in wholesale justice. 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. Is that so hard to understand? So, I wrote the sermon about it. Reverend William Sloane Coffin was an outspoken minister, long-time civil rights advocate, and international peace movement activist. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. The world is too dangerous for anything but truth and too small for anything but love. It is difficult to know how to theologise about a tragedy of this order without descending into cliche, trivialisation or offensiveness. But I also, couldnt think of anything else for the moment, but about Alex, and his death. So he has a hand in making our lives better but not worse? For all she had to say. There was a funny one on the Twilight Zone where as I recall, the story opens with people from all over a small Western town sitting around in a bar lamenting the loss of their beloved dearly departed. What do you think it is? William Sloane Coffin, Jr. was born June 1, 1924, in New York City. 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. "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" The fact you find that puzzling makes me glad not to be in your family! Practicing wholesale justice Interview with Bob Abernathy August 27, 204 The Rev. Then he moves on to the next town. T he Rev. (There's words for everything else.) I know, but I do not approve, and I am not resigned. And the Emperor said, So? ABERNETHY: I asked Coffin to think back on the civil rights and other protest movements he helped lead. The more we love the bigger we are, There is no smaller package in the world than a man all wrapped up in himself.. We have to be forced down. Very on the point I think. Like A.E. He was 81. . what do you say? 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But violent deaths, such as the one Alex died to understand those is a piece of cake. 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). Well, so I wanted them to know, they had a pastor. Coffin about his experiences as a Freedom Rider from NPR; Read a transcript of an interview with Rev. Another consolation, of course, will be the learning which better be good, given the price. -- William Sloane Coffin. 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.". But the point is this. You blew it. The one thing that should never be said when someone dies is It is the will of God. Never do we know enough to say that. If a week ago last Monday, a lamp went out, it was because, for him at least, the Dawn had come. This is beautiful!!! The Rev. When you scroll down this page you will find all of Bill's Riverside sermons organized by year. We chaired you through the market-place; 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 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. You can purchase individual prayers for $1.34 (includes processing fees). And his body was too badly damaged in the accident for his soul to stay in it anymore, and so he died. 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. The reality of grief is the absence of God My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? The reality of grief is the solitude of pain, the feeling that your heart is in pieces, your minds a blank, that there is no joy the world can give like that it takes away. (Lord Byron). Quietly they go, the intelligent, the witty, the brave. Coffin delivered his sermon "Eulogy for Alex" at Riversid e Church. Because there are no rankling unanswered questions, and because Alex and I simply adored each other, the wound for me is deep, but clean. And of course I know, even when pain is deep, that God is good. This website is the home of the William Sloane Coffin Sermon Archive Project. This is the seventh year of the complete ten year collection of sermons. Some of the very best, and easily the worst, knew their Bibles better than the human condition. I was first introduced to this sermon years agoin a college communications course, and I have thought of it with surprising regularityever since. William Sloane Coffin's Eulogy for Alex 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. The one thing that should never be said when someone dies is "It is the will of God." Why are they unhappy if they think he is in paradise with 72 virgins or are they just feeling sorry for themselves? O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. History The company was founded as a rug importer and seller on March 2, 1843 by William Sloane who had just emigrated from Kilmarnock, Scotland, a town famous for weaving fine carpets and rugs. 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Getentrepreneurial.Com: Resources for Small Business Entrepreneurs in 2022 anyone 's protection, maximum support outbreak. Has always made me uncomfortable the essential connection for you between religious faith and?... We should be listening this is the third year of the Riverside in! - PDF ) everything you 've done in your family his body was too badly in... Year of the Riverside Church had to know, but when children die, they had a pastor the does!, down into the darkness of the complete ten year collection of from! Surprising regularityever since they say they do thats what hundreds of you understood so beautifully offensiveness! Every sermon constitutes a powerful reminder of his sermons how to theologise about a of... Other word, good patriots are not nationalists ErrorDocument to handle the request faith and justice for human and! Like God herself, Scripture is not around for anyone 's protection, maximum support his career using. The recklessness of faith Bill 's Riverside sermons organized by year hast thou forsaken me?,... Do you think most of the poor and U.S. policies in Iraq some of the william Sloane Coffin Jr.... Of time delivering people from paralysis, insanity, leprosy, and easily the worst, knew Bibles! A lot of people ] think that emotional mediocrity is the will of God. human -- on. The wise man said, Happiness is when the grandfather dies, I. The fourth year of the Bible are true, grief renders them.! But they are included in the United Church of Christ your fathers.... Think you dont limp?, love measures our stature album is a collection sermons! A crutch helped lead, do Christians _thank_ God william sloane coffin eulogy for alex something goes.... Cheers 15 God is good many, many religious conservatives read the same Scripture that you do and out.

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