'Father D'
Ye blessed souls at rest, who ran this earthly race
and now, from sin released, behold the Savior's face,
God's praises sound, as in his sight with sweet delight ye do abound.
– Hymn 625, text by Richard Baxter (1615-1691)
Dear people of Ascension,
So many of us continue to absorb the news and reality of Father Jim Dunkerley's death, early last Thursday morning. An email from one Ascension member included only the hymn stanza shown above and: " Praying for ... all who mourn."
In addition to this and other hymn texts and scriptures that have come to my own heart and mind, I've also recalled a line from a Joni Mitchell song: "Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone ..." Only, in this case, I do believe that many of us did know the spirit and gifts that Father Dunkerley shared with so many, and often we did share and show our appreciation.
When I began my ministry here in January 2016, Bishop Lee and I discussed the continuing role that we both hoped Father D might have here. As an aside, the bishop said, " Jim is a priest's priest. There are so few like him left these days."
That remark was emblematic of the appreciation that so many of Father D's colleagues shared. Hoping for your edification, I'm taking the liberty of sharing (to the right) impromptu thoughts from three colleagues, all responding to a group text I initiated on Saturday to clergy form St. James' Cathedral, St. Peter's and Atonement, where Father D's ministry endured and blessed so many.
A Requiem will likely take place at the Church of the Atonement, Chicago, at a time and date still to be determined. As we await that news, please keep in prayers Father Dunkerley's longtime partner Salvatore 'Sal' Martinez and Father D's four siblings and their families in England. And please know of my gratitude for the faith you've shown at this time, including by way of the simple shrine, shown below, that was created in the narthex for all who came to mass this past Sunday.
Ye blessed souls at rest, who ran this earthly race
and now, from sin released, behold the Savior's face,
God's praises sound, as in his sight with sweet delight ye do abound.
– Hymn 625, text by Richard Baxter (1615-1691)
Dear people of Ascension,
So many of us continue to absorb the news and reality of Father Jim Dunkerley's death, early last Thursday morning. An email from one Ascension member included only the hymn stanza shown above and: " Praying for ... all who mourn."
In addition to this and other hymn texts and scriptures that have come to my own heart and mind, I've also recalled a line from a Joni Mitchell song: "Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone ..." Only, in this case, I do believe that many of us did know the spirit and gifts that Father Dunkerley shared with so many, and often we did share and show our appreciation.
When I began my ministry here in January 2016, Bishop Lee and I discussed the continuing role that we both hoped Father D might have here. As an aside, the bishop said, " Jim is a priest's priest. There are so few like him left these days."
That remark was emblematic of the appreciation that so many of Father D's colleagues shared. Hoping for your edification, I'm taking the liberty of sharing (to the right) impromptu thoughts from three colleagues, all responding to a group text I initiated on Saturday to clergy form St. James' Cathedral, St. Peter's and Atonement, where Father D's ministry endured and blessed so many.
A Requiem will likely take place at the Church of the Atonement, Chicago, at a time and date still to be determined. As we await that news, please keep in prayers Father Dunkerley's longtime partner Salvatore 'Sal' Martinez and Father D's four siblings and their families in England. And please know of my gratitude for the faith you've shown at this time, including by way of the simple shrine, shown below, that was created in the narthex for all who came to mass this past Sunday.
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