Erl Purnell Sermon

Clifford Andrews Washburn, Jr. Memorial Service ~ August 24, 2007 ~ A homily delivered by The Rev’d Erl G. Purnell at Old St. Andrew’s Church, Bloomfield, CT

Wisdom 3.1-5, 9-10; Psalm 150; John 6.37-40

This morning we celebrate Cliff Washburn as the really good man that he was—husband and father, Navy veteran, engineer, teacher and coach, community leader, church member, and … ardent Husky sports fan.

Putting things in perspective, the kind of energy Cliff gave to UConn sports reflects the kind of passion he brought to many things. Here at OSA, for example, Cliff was a long-time church school teacher and he also served as superintendent of the Sunday School. Typically on any given Sunday, Cliff, Carol and the kids were here. That’s an extraordinary commitment for a young family, but the church and worship were central to their lives. Cliff also lent his hand to all sorts of projects and served on myriad committees, the Vestry and, even being in charge of the cemetery for a time. One of the nicest things about Cliff? You could count on him. Even in my own time at OSA, Cliff was still serving as usher. It’s hard to imagine how many times he welcomed people to OSA on a Sunday morning.

In life, we have so much for which to be grateful. The hymn we just sang—Now thank we all our God—is a reminder that all things come from God. Cliff knew and lived with this in his heart. He gratefully gave to others, through his years of Civitan service and coaching Little League, to name only two activities.

We thank Cliff for touching hundreds of lives in this community for so many, many years.

So, now, as we gather to remember Cliff, please know, though gone from our sight, he is very much alive in the resurrection and in each of us. The spirit that was Cliff, still is Cliff.

Thank you Cliff Washburn for who you’ve been to all of us and what you’ve done for those you’ve touched. Blessings, Peace, and Godspeed.

Amen.