Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. – Hebrews 12:1-3
Over the years I have been experiencing a growing awareness of the “great cloud of witnesses” that is in heaven even as I type, cheering us on to glory. I’ve shared some of their stories in the Church History pages of this blog.
But on this page I’d like to remember those in the ‘great cloud’ who I have known personally… those whose names, smiles, hugs, and kindnesses are still fresh in memory. In a way I feel way too young to be writing a page like this, but it’s never too soon to say “thank you” to those who have given their lives in service… especially when that service is as eternal as it was temporal. These are the people in my life’s ‘apostolic succession’.
Feel free to add names from your own roll of honor in the comments section below.
~~ The Roll of Honor ~~
Mom (Barbara Bush Guilbert) – passed into glory 7/9/11. She’s the one who got four kids (and a husband) scrubbed, fed, and in the car every Sunday morning without fail… who had Bible studies and discussions around the dinner table, and challenged our friends to join in… who, where it came to the Faith, never quit, never gave up, never stopped praising God. Our relationship was often stormy but there is no denying her influence: all four of us kids, now grown, have a rock-solid faith. There is no greater legacy than that.
Fred Delaney – Friend and fellow Bible-study attender, loving father to two sons, Fred was the epitome of the “anti-prosperity” gospel. How often he remarked that true witness to God’s greatness was not “look at the car He got me” or “look at the spouse He got me” but “look at how He saw me through this difficult time and I feel closer to Him than ever”. Fred’s quiet, dependable service to Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry during its early years, in the field of audio/visual technology, won him no fame or fortune whatsoever… but when he passed at too early an age the people who gathered to remember him packed Trinity’s chapel to standing-room-only.
Helen Jean Elliott – Former Administrative Assistant at St. Stephens Church under John Guest and Mike Henning – Helen Jean was a woman of great kindness and compassion for whom friendship was forever. I owe her my livelihood: she taught me how to use a computer back in 1985 (a dual-floppy Kaypro running WordStar 1.0), showing great patience as I struggled through the typical newbie angst. Less than four years later I launched a computer training consultancy that has been my bread and butter since 1989. Bright, cheerful, a woman of great faith and strength, who coined the term “God-incidence” (as in, “there is no such thing as coincidence”) she remained as active and outgoing as her illness allowed her to be, right up to the end. One of the world’s great ladies. Our loss is heaven’s gain.
George Gray – Loving father and grandfather, Meals on Wheels volunteer, loved throughout the Carnegie community. It was my great fortune to be the most recent director of the choir he sang in for over 50 years. His solos were unforgettable. To this day whenever anyone at Carnegie Presbyterian Church sings “How Great Thou Art” they remember George’s powerful baritone singing along. Now joined in the Great Cloud by his wife Charlotte, also a long-time choir member and much missed. 1/28/08
The Rev. William D. “Mike” Henning – Rector and Co-rector (“or is that ‘Corrector’?”) of St. Stephen’s Sewickley from 1990-1993; former professor at Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry. OK, I know the guy was human… but I swear I don’t remember Mike ever not smiling. Sparkling eyes, warm hugs, truly a beautiful person inside and out. When he found out he had terminal cancer he even planned his own memorial service. It was breathtaking.
Barbara Datig Jagielski – Member of Carnegie Presbyterian Church and of our home Bible study. Barb was fiery, passionate, fun-loving and loved Jesus like crazy. As easily at home cooking with the church ladies or riding a motorcycle, she was loving and loyal to family and friends. A good friend, and the first person to say to me “you’re my pastor”, she taught me both the joy and the awesome responsibility of this new life I’m taking on, and forgave much.
Charlotte Johnson-Morris – Trusted friend, confidante, and small group Bible study leader, Charlotte was one of those rare people who was able to accept anyone just as they were and really mean it. Former staffer at St. Stephen’s, her ministry of quiet caring and gentle encouragement made all the difference in many more lives than she knew. Char and I shared a love for all things English, and when then-Rector John Guest said “plan on it” she and I – despite being strapped for cash – planned and executed a 10-day tour of the U.K., the first time there for both of us. A friend of Bill Moore’s put us in touch with friends in Ampthill, Beds., and we were on our way. Char was one of those friends you could call at any time of the day or night… I still miss her tremendously.
Bill Moore – Teacher, recovery counselor, founder of Killick, member of St. Stephen’s. Grew up in Hell’s Kitchen NYC, lost a leg during the action in WWII. The son of alcoholic parents, Bill became an alcoholic himself, and shortly after marrying and starting a family he attempted suicide. He experienced a vision of Christ while in the hospital recovering from self-inflicted knife wounds to the chest, and dedicated his life from then on to Jesus and to teaching young people and helping them get clean and stay clean. He’s the one guy on the planet it wasn’t wise to try to B.S. “MacArthur — that b*st*rd”. I’ll remember, Bill, I promise.
The Rev. Robert “Chip” Nix – Assistant Pastor at St. Stephen’s in the early-to-mid 1980s. Big bear of a man, warm-hearted, wonderful hugs, with a true pastor’s heart for people. The small group that met at Charlotte’s was organized and inspired by Chip’s vision: to evangelize through small group Bible study. Our group, which at the beginning held three believers and three nonbelievers, by the end held six believers. It worked.
Mr. Carmen P. Rummo – Professor of Piano at Duquesne University, who passed to glory Nov 5, 2001 at the age of 96. Mr. Rummo dedicated his entire life to developing the gifts and talents of others, and generations of musicians owe their skills and livelihoods to his teaching. In the classroom he was a holy terror, striking fear into the hearts of beginning and accomplished pianists alike… but once you passed his class he was a friend for life. A devout Roman Catholic, he never missed Mass and could quote large portions of the prayers by heart. Near the end of his life, when his wife asked if she should call for the priest, Mr. Rummo answered, “what for? I know God loves me.” Indeed. “Continuity is the word.”
Jim Sullivan – One of the members of Charlotte’s small group Bible study, his passing heralded the end of the group. He was one of the members who wasn’t so sure about God when he joined. Jim was raised Catholic and died in the full communion of the Catholic Church, and he’d never admit the faith meant anything more to him than the duty of going to Mass on Sunday. I never believed a word of it and told him so. One day he surprised me with a gift: a key chain with the word “Irresistible” engraved on it. I still carry it to this day. Funny, irascible, tender-hearted… and taken too soon.
Melinda (Hogan) Thomas – We met in our early 20s and have been through dating, marriages, divorce, and sickness together. Friends like that don’t grow on trees! I am forever grateful for our friendship. Melinda fought bravely against cancer for over a decade and her faith in the face of suffering and death inspired many. Taken too soon.
The Rev. Don Wilson – Assistant Pastor at St. Stephen’s (mid-1980s to mid-1990s) and at Christ Church Grove Farm till his passing. An Englishman with an amazingly keen mind and strong desire to share the Gospel of Christ to any who would listen. Gentle pastor, so very easy to talk to, and wonderful pray-er with a shepherd’s heart.
Members of the Carnegie Presbyterian Church Choir – whose faith, kindness and voices are very much missed: Victor Clay, Richard Esch, George Fiorentini, Charlotte Gray, Robert Ross, Wanda Clay
~~~Two people who it breaks my heart to add today, 7/22/18, because their deaths were so sudden and tragic:
Ricardo J. Tobia – Choir director at Fairhaven United Methodist Church, colleague and friend, and long-time teacher of voice at Point Park University in Pittsburgh. He and his dog were found brutally murdered in their home early Saturday, July 7, 2018. Ricardo’s many students say of him: “he believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself”. The ability to see in people what they can’t yet see in themselves is a gift from God. That plus the most amazing set of lungs and an enthusiastic love of old-style gospel music.
Gabriel D’Abruzzo – July 9, 2018 – One of my first students. We met when he was five and I was in my early 20s; he came to his first piano lesson having already picked out the melodies of pop songs and commercial jingles. By the time he was in middle school he had learned everything I could teach him. He grew up to be the most amazing musician, one of the most in-demand accompanists in the city of Pittsburgh. Through it all he maintained a love for God and a love for church music and a great humility that “drew a circle that drew others in”.
~~~
Hi Peg,
You said that you’ve become increasingly aware of the Great Cloud of Witnesses and these are in Heaven cheering us on. I have tried to find where this is taught in this Bible. I always thought that this cloud of witnesses was to do with those who have exercised faith and done great exploits for the Lord as proof to latter generations of the power of faith and God. Nowhere does it actually mention Heaven and those cheering us on down here on earth.
HOWEVER I have heard a similar story by Roberts Liardon who said this is what he saw in his visit to Heaven. The saints all cheering us on.
I guess what I’m asking you is: Have you had a personal experience with the privilege of hearing their cheers from Heaven? Could you please tell me more about it if you have?
Thanks,
Paul Lambert.
Hi Paul,
Welcome to the blog! No, I haven’t had any heavenly visions or heard any literal cheering sounds. You’re correct, the ‘cheering us on’ part is not specifically taught in the Bible. I heard the idea in a sermon many years ago and I liked the imagery of it. The idea is an extension of the analogy “let us run with perseverance the race.” If living the faith is like running on a race track, then the great cloud of witnesses are like the people in the stands cheering us across the finish line.
And I think there’s some truth in the idea, because as Jesus pointed out, even though the people mentioned in Hebrews are heroes-of-the-faith from the past, “God is not the God of the dead but of the living”. And I know the people who have invested their lives in us will want to know how their investments are paying off. If they’re at all able in their current state they will be watching and cheering us on.
Revelation 1:7
Behold He cometh with clouds;and every eye shall see Him,and they also which pierced Him:and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him.Even so,Amen
Could these be the clouds of witnesses,and not rain clouds? As,some suppose.
Hi Ken,
It’s possible clouds might represent the saints but I tend to think in this case there’s a more accurate interpretation of Revelation 1:7.
Acts 1:9 says “And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.” The disciples kept staring in the direction of where He had gone, so in Acts 1:11 an angel says, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
I think that’s what John is trying to communicate in Revelation 1:7 – that the Jesus he is writing about is the same Jesus, the one who ascended in a cloud and is returning the same way as the angel had said.
Benjamin H Gill wonderful father and devoted follower of Jesus. 1-8-1931 to 4-23-2010
Amen.
Bruce Parker
A veteran, a deacon, an encourager and a saint. He was a committed member of the Grace Chapel community. I knew him as a fellow deacon and friend. Even when unable to walk, Bruce never stopped encouraging others by his warm smile, his cheerfulness, his generosity and his consistent praise of his King. He will be sadly missed, but is someone I am glad is now cheering me on as one of the great cloud of witnesses. Enjoy Bruce!
A mighty warrior in this world and the next. Amen.
Amanda Anderson
I have had, what I feel, as many confirmations that she is one of the whittnesses cheering me on.
Blessings Kimberly
Kimberly – A very belated Amen! (sorry I missed your post)
I so believe that the spirits of those who have gone before us are with us each & every day. No scriptures particularly, but experiences when I’ve needed encouraging or help & there they were, my grandparents, my parents, my in-laws. Not in the flesh, but through dreams, visions of them, memories of them, they were there, cheering me on. I can NOT for a minute think they do not know what several generations on from them are doing & how they are doing. Some say they couldn’t know & still be happy & the Bible teaches no tears, no pain, no sorrow in Heaven. I’m saying, we have no idea what the spirit world holds & I won’t box God in. God is God, after all. And those that have gone before us are our guardian angels for sure.
In honor of your grandparents, parents, and in-laws who have spoken God’s truth and love into your life… Amen.
At being in prayer for about eleven days i heard the sound of alot of people praying the sound was coming from the ceiling if you would like to hear the entire account of what happened please feel free to call me
Harriet, thank you for your post. I thought it would be best to remove your phone number… the Internet isn’t a safe place to leave information like that, sadly not even on a Christian blog. If you’d like to share your story in writing feel free.
I just bumbled into this blog. I knew, and remember well, Mike Henning, Bill Moore, Chip Nix and Don Wilson, and I was so surprised to see that constellation of witnesses that contributed so many good things to me mentioned here. Thank you for remembering and honoring them.
Reuben – Welcome, and thank you for remembering with me!
My Mother passed just a couple of weeks ago. My biggest memory is hearing her praying from her bedroom everyday. Whether she was cooking a meal, cleaning the house or driving her car she was always praising Jesus for something. I don’t think she prayed for herself too often. It was all about her 5 kids, husband, then just about everybody in the world whether she knew them or not. She was a prayer warrior. People in need came to her because they knew her prayers got through. She has now met Jesus face to face, and all those people she read about. It’s awesome to think about her being there in person, and knowing she just took the biggest step of her life, that she has dreamed of for so long. Praise God!
“People in need came to her because they knew her prayers got through.” What a blessing it is to know and love someone who is in constant conversation with God! Thank you for your moving words, and thank you for sharing your memories of your mother with us. Sympathies and blessings to you and your family at this time of (temporary) parting.
Just discovered your blog. Mike Hennings, Chip Nix, and Don Wilson were three wonderful friends who lived and shared their lives with me and others and brought the Gospel to life in very meaningful and significant ways. I thank God for the privilege of having known them.
Kevin, my sweet handsome son who recently joined the great crowd watching and cheering us on, encouraging us to fight the good fight, to keep our hearts fixed on Jesus as we each run our own race home.