Erl Purnell Sermon

George A. Vondermuhll, Jr. Memorial Service ~ January 26, 2008 ~ Remarks by The Rev’d Erl G. Purnell of Old St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church at Duncaster, Bloomfield, CT

John 6.37-40; Psalm 121; Psalm 23

Greetings to ALL and God’s peace be with you. My name is Puck Purnell. I serve as Rector at Old St. Andrew’s Church in Bloomfield.

This afternoon, we—members of the Duncaster community and Old St. Andrew’s Church—come together to celebrate an extraordinary friendship with George Albert Vondermuhll, Jr. We will worship, sing and hear music, listen to several speakers, and afterwards join for refreshments in the dinning room. A very special, and heart-felt personal thanks to the staff at Duncaster and to the Episcopal Church Women of Old St. Andrew’s for stepping up to make this a fitting memorial to George. Thanks, too, to Yves Venne, Liz Miller, and the OSA choir.

You all know the problem for anyone who would stand to speak about George. So much to say … so little time. Thank heavens for our wonderful DVD, Life with George, for that piece is a true documentary of much of George’s life. Yet, I do have some things to say and so I ask that you bear with me for a few moments.

Shortly after arriving at Old St. Andrew’s, I found myself in Prospect-222, George’s apartment. In less than five minutes, the following had happened: First, I recognized George’s Princeton beer drinking jacket and commented on it. To which he said, “Oh, then you’re Stan Purnell’s son.” George, class of ’35 at Princeton, had known my Dad who was in the class of 1933. Then, in about the third minute of my being there, it became evident that George’s father and my grandfather were classmates at Princeton in ’04.

Next, George wanted to show me something in another room. While he was looking around, my eyes fell upon a portrait. I said, “Say, George, who’s that handsome man?” to which he answered, “My relative, Shepherd Knapp.” Well, after the Navy, my first teaching post was at Shepherd Knapp School, named by the school’s founder Neil Halkyard after Shepherd Knapp, the man who cared for him as a young man.

Needless-to-say, we had some things in common that instantly initiated our deep bond. But more profoundly, George invited me into his heart. In the past ten and a half years, George ministered to me when I sought his wisdom and advice during some hard times; he taught me about prayer and Quiet Time such that they truly changed my life; he inspired me always to hold my heart open, no matter what; he challenged me on my theology, my politics, my beliefs, my scholarship, and more. And always, he showed me love and respect.

At the same time, I was humbled and honored to serve as George’s priest. He sought my counsel and together we wrestled with some of the difficult choices he needed to make in these last years of his life; we prayed together a lot; he confessed his sins and asked for God’s forgiveness; he wanted re-assurance about the Church’s future and the place of the Gospel that informed him during his ninety-five years.

Of all the words I might use to describe George Vondermuhll, the one I choose is Minister. George was a minister. You know what I mean, I know you do. George, more than any person—lay or clergy—I have ever known, lived into his baptismal covenant. He worshiped faithfully and shared in the fellowship of all people; he resisted evil and repented when necessary; he proclaimed Christ by word and example; he selflessly served and loved all people; he strove for justice and peace.

Among George’s extraordinary attributes was his ability to be a friend. His friends included all of you and so many others, the young and old, well-off folks and the poor, people of faith, seekers and doubters, Jews and Christians. George ministered through his gift of genuine friendship to ALL.

In the Episcopal Church, after Communion, the congregation prays, “Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart.” That’s what George did. He simply went out into the world—around the Old St. Andrew’s community, in the halls of Duncaster, and elsewhere; he went with strength and courage in the service of the creator God of ALL peoples—of Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, and those with an unknown God; he ministered with a gladness that was infectious. And, all the while, George never lost sight of God’s reconciling love, for it was that singleness of heart that endeared George to each of us and all of us. George honored ALL people and held, not just me, but each of us in his heart.

Of course there is so much more to say. We all have our own homilies to deliver about George and I encourage you to say yours to your family and friends. Even more, take George’s example as minister and let it be yours.

Dear George. Dear Friend. You went about this precious life as a minister of Love and Peace and you brought Love and Peace to all whom you met. Thank you. Now, go in Love and Peace to your well-deserved, eternal rest with the saints. God bless you George Vondermuhll and Godspeed.

Amen.