N is for Nexus

The fabric of our lives is woven with many relationships. There are the people we spend our day-to-day moments with - our family, the folks we work

with, the friends with whom we share the highs and lows we all encounter on a daily basis. Then there are the people we may not see as often and yet somehow they help shape us through their presence nonetheless. They are folks who stand as pillars, to mix metaphors, who help define our communities.

The Crossings board wishes to acknowledge the significance of the lives of three such men who have helped shape our community and in the last month have gone on to their eternal rewards.

The Rev. Dr. Sam Roth was a friend of Crossings even before Crossings, Inc., per se, existed. Sam, who was pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Ferguson, MO for many years, was one of the key players in the beginnings of the AELC. He was president of ELIM and chairman of the board of directors of Seminex. More recently, he has been the ecumenical officer for the Central States Synod and, again, a key player in making connections with our ecumenical partners. Sam's steadfastness and kindness in building new alliances in the face of uncertain circumstances was a hallmark of his ministry.

The Rev. Dr. Richard Lyon has been an enthusiastic participant in Crossings ministries for many years. His Renaissance man style (Richard was dentist, pastor, pilot, weight lifter, world traveler and jazz musician among other things) along with his entrepreneurial spirit made him one of the Crossings model's chief supporters. Through his Order of Philippi foundation, Richard established the Sebring Seminar in Florida that continues to reach lay leaders and clergy with the Crossings model. In conjunction with his work in Haiti, Village of Hope, these two ventures exemplify his passion for connecting faith with daily life on behalf of those who need it the most.

Thanks are due also to O. Charles Klingsick. For despite the fuss that the world makes about the well-off, in the church they do not get much press. Not because they are not necessary for Christ's work: beginning with His work in the days of His flesh! Luke takes note of the Galilean women who bankrolled Jesus' missionary wanderings, while the other three gospels give these sponsors no press. These Christians, then and now, with the spiritual gift of generosity (Romans 12:8), see to it that their left hand does not know what their right hand is doing. Charles was one such quiet giver, both an early and a steady sponsor of Crossings. He made the nexus between his blessings and his Lord who gave them. As one friend said, he was a man who put his money where his faith was. Wouldn't we all like that to be said of us, when we have, like Charles, been called to settle accounts with the Master? To him who has been faithful with little, even more will be given.

These three men have contributed to the ongoing ministries of Crossings. The words of Puritan poet, Anne Bradstreet, may sum up our feelings best:

More fool than I to look on that was lent,
As if mine own, when thus impermanent.
Farewel dear one, thou ne're shall come to me,
But yet a while, and I shall go to thee;
Mean time my throbbing heart's chear'd up with this
Thou with thy Saviour art in endless bliss.

robin morgan