Sunday Evening, June 15 - Memorial Service

Listen to Amanda Garber's sermon

A Service of Remembrance and Holy Communion was the first service of the 226th session of the Virginia Annual Conference, meeting in the Roanoke Civic Center, June 15-18. 

The Rev. J.P. Hong, senior pastor of Culmore United Methodist Church, Arlington District, welcomed the gathering and was the liturgist for the service. The Rappahannock District Youth Choir, under the direction of Aaron Ward, provided special music. The theme of this year's conference is "Let’s get growing! More people, more young people, more diverse people. All for Jesus!" with the emphasis this year on more young people.

The Rev. Amanda Miller Garber, director of the Wesley Foundation at James Madison University, was the preacher. She based her sermon on Philippians 3:14.

“I have the joy of being in ministry with college students and young adults who are incredibly creative, insightful and funny,” she said. “I informally surveyed some of them and asked them for their input. I got some great responses. My favorite response came from a fashion-conscious young woman who said, ‘Remember, it’s all about the shoes. If you wear the right shoes, everything else will fall into place.’”

Garber related how shoes have served as mile markers as she’s run the race of life. She told of some other shoes she had worn in the civic center from her prom shoes, to ballet shoes, to black patent leathers as she gave the benediction for her high school graduation.

She related how nervous she was walking down the aisle of her church with her father at her wedding, afraid she would fall. Her father told her he’d fall with her. That comforted her.

“Paul knew how hard the race can be, “ she said. “He knew that living a Christ-shaped life, a cross-shaped life, sometimes is really difficult. So he says, ‘Don’t lose your focus. Don’t forget why you are running. Press on.’”

Garber related a story about Bishop Tutu. He’d talk to groups and tell them ‘Don’t get discouraged. Don’t despair. I’ve read the end of the Book. And we win!’”

Garber’s daughter Abby is full of joy and loves to run. “We take her to a park surrounded by rolling hills,” she said. “She runs to the top of the hills and laughs. She runs with all she has and runs down the hill, then stops and rolls in the grass. Every time I see her running like that I say, ‘Watch out. Be careful. You might hurt yourself.’ Then I thought,  when is it we forget to run like that? When do those voices of fear start to overpower the voice of God that says, ‘Press on.’”

Garber related the story of running a race in college that she pictured herself winning. “The next thing you know,” she said, “I was face first in the gravel.” Her body and her ego were skinned up. “There are days running the race of faith that I feel skinned up. If you’ve ever felt that way, I have good news. It is precisely in those moments that the Holy Spirit comes to us and dusts us off and breathes life into us and says, 'Press on.'”

She then introduced a video that showed the father and son Team Hoyt. Son Rick has severe cerebral palsy. The parents were told there was no hope for development. Rick received a communication device and said he wanted to run in a race to benefit a paralyzed young man. Now they are constantly running, swimming and climbing, and telling others of the importance of running. “Team Hoyt has an unwavering belief that they CAN. The father takes the son on triathalons. Did you see the crowd cheering them on? It’s a wonderful reminder that we don’t run this race alone.”

“It is in those moments of grief and disappointment and pain that they are cheering, 'Press on. You can.' If you listen closely, you can hear them cheering,” Garber said. “They are parents and grandparents, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, pastors and Sunday school teachers, and campus ministers. You can hear them cheering. When your legs are aching and you’re out of breath and you’re ready to quite the race, pause for a moment and receive the breath of God. Remember all those who have run before us and blazed trails for us. Look around you and listen and you’ll hear the saints. Lift up your eyes and glimpse the heavenly prize.”

The Rev. Bob Blinn, conference secretary, led the "Naming of The Honored Dead." As each name was read aloud, a bell tolled and a candle was lighted.

Bishop Charlene Kammerer led by the service of Holy Communion which was served to all those in attendance.