Kueser Kindness

Today there is a memorial service for a member of our congregation. Jane gives a wonderful depiction and one of her favorite memories in "A Sermon Without Words." We came up with almost the same description, a gentle soul wrapped in a large package. You might picture a teddy bear, but he wasn't someone that sits on a shelf or waits to be hugged, this was a man of action, compassion, and second chances. He saw to it that any one could be assured of a place of honor and was worthy of his time and conversation. Not saying that he thought that he was mighty by sharing his time, but that he saw every one as his equal and encouraged others to join them at the common table. Alliteration works in this case: Kueser Kindness. What is his great vision of a memorial service? That the church joins in a big pot luck dinner afterwards! Perhaps we should set an empty plate as some faiths do for the expectant Elijah. We could set an empty plate at the head table for any one who might come and be in need of a meal. I won't be surprised if someone does show up. It would be fitting, and it would be grand to welcome them to the table of honor as the personal guest of Dick Kueser.

My prayer for the congregation?

Dear God, thank you for the living sermon in our midst. Help us to learn from Dick's examples, and help guide us into action to live as examples for a new set of eyes that didn't get the opportunity to know and love Dick. Help us support the family, be present in their grief and be a witness to the celebration of his life. Insist that we become a congregation of action and compassion. Persist with sending people to our congregation who may be in need of second chances. Gracious God, you know we are all at that common table! Help us to have the same passion to understand and wrestle with your words, and the same passion to commit to action those readings. Thank you for the life of this man! Amen.