In Memory of Arden

The Rev. Arden Johnson has been a member of our church since he retired from ministry in 1992. He was much loved by the whole congregation. Arden died on Saturday in the Hospice unit at St. Mary's hospital in Duluth. This is the homily I preached today at his memorial service at the Community Building in his home town of Big Falls, MN.

Arden Johnson
November 25, 2008
2 Timothy 4:5-8

Arden was a member of the search committee when I was called to serve Faith United Church, UCC in 1999. On a snowy St. Patrick’s Day that spring it took me 2 tries flying out of Minneapolis before I actually arrived in the Falls. I was then taken to see the church, meet the search committee and preach a sermon for them before they took me out to dinner in Canada.

For those of you who’ve never been to Faith United Church, it’s a beautiful building, oval in shape with the sanctuary in the half-round where everyone can see everyone else. And Arden was one of the most wonderful, welcoming people. That afternoon he took me aside, between the back door and the narthex, put his arm around me and said, “You don’t have to worry—the devil can’t corner you here because there aren’t any corners!” I think we became instant friends in that moment.

I bought one of Arden’s cedar fencepost vases on that trip, just in case I didn’t get to come back. I knew God was calling me to serve this church, but I had to wait 6 weeks to find out if they knew it too. As you can see, Arden’s beautiful handiwork is something I enjoy very much—in fact I’m sure more than half the members of our congregation own Arden Johnson vases, ducks, jewelry boxes or photographs. Most of the time he donated the money from the sale of those items to the church.

When we moved to Minnesota, Mary and Arden invited us over for lunch right after we arrived in town. I asked Arden if he had any lamps for sale because I was trying to organize the house and we needed more light. He said “No” and I heard a horrified gasp from Mary. But Arden added, “I don’t have any for sale, but I do have some to give, “ and he gave me 2 of his fencepost or log lamps that have graced our home ever since.

I also shared a love of cameras and photography with Arden. It was such fun when he’d arrive at church on a Sunday morning and seek me out saying, “Sue, I got a new camera!” and his eyes would just light up! We enjoyed comparing notes on cameras, photo software and photography techniques. Over the last 9 years, we’ve had several of the same camera models. In fact it was Arden who moved me into the world of digital photography!

We are so fortunate that Arden and Mary joined our church in retirement! Arden always embodied the extravagant welcome UCC churches strive to offer to everyone no matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey. Arden was doing that long before it became part of the God is Still Speaking campaign. He also served as Moderator for two years, inspiring us with the slogan, “We Can Do It!” He was a willing supply preacher until he decided to put an end to his preaching career when he turned 80. About a month after announcing that he was giving up preaching, he presented me, during our worship service, with this UCC pendant. It was made for him by one of his parishioners and he wore it every time he preached. It is an honor and a privilege for me to wear it now and we agreed that someday I, too, will pass it on. What a wonderful connection and a magnificent legacy from a truly special pastor and friend!

Pastoral ministry is a very challenging and gratifying vocation that is not always easy. For over 40 years, Arden was a real gift to several congregations, following the advice of a mentor who told him to go to a congregation and “love the devil out of ’em.” He cared; he loved; he fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith.

In his second letter to Timothy, Paul talks about how he has done the same thing in his ministry. Loving all God’s people isn’t always easy, but it’s what God calls us to do. It’s a big job and lots more people are needed to do it. If we all follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ—the one who came into the world to show us how to love—then the world God has entrusted to our care will finally be a much better place for all living things.

Arden has gone on ahead of us to that new life we have all been promised, but he, too, set an example for us to follow. He was a genuine disciple of Jesus Christ, always striving to help others know and love God. We must also fight the good fight, run the race, and above all keep the faith. Arden’s faith always burned bright, an inspiration to all. God has blessed us with the gift of memories, the inspiration of love, the promise of the resurrection and the comfort of faith. Our path is set before us and we can run our race with joy; we can hope and trust in God, and yes, we too can love the devil out of everybody! AMEN.