Remembering by Neita Geilker

In 1 Corinthians 2, Paul writes, “To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours.”

Around me, I identify many saints who fit Paul’s description. In fact, although it seems presumptuous for us to accept the label, God calls a “saint” anyone who trusts in Christ alone for salvation. All Saints Day can serve to acknowledge those among us, as well as remembering and celebrating those who have gone on before us. 

On All Saints Day, we are reminded that there is a spiritual connection between those saints in heaven and those still on Earth. As I think of my mother, whose grave has been in a lonely spot in Arkansas for 75 years, I sense a connection with her whose faith did not waver during her long days of dying.  It is also a wonderfully meaningful time to remember those remarkable saints from Second Baptist who have died in the fifty-plus years Don and I have been members here. I remember Dr. H.I. Hester, a vice-president at William Jewell, who was able to find money where none seemed to exist in order to help me and others continue as students. I remember Helen Early, whose beautiful voice was her testimony. I remember Bill and Virginia Link, a pastor and his wife who were strong supporters of In As Much Ministry in its early days and for whom the Link Food Pantry is named. I remember Dr. Harvey Thomas, a strong leader in the church and a kind and generous and friend to the Geilkers. And at the death of Dr. Richard Bowles, a family physician for many in this church, I truly confronted that I, too, am mortal, that I, too, will die.

For us at Second Baptist, All Saints Day is particularly a time to celebrate the lives of those in our congregation who have died within the year. You will think of those close to you, whose absence from this place remains a tender wound. For me, and for the Seekers Class, the death of John Shank is one where we are grateful for the solace provided by the very moving ceremony of hearing his name read and hearing a chime ring as a rose in his memory is placed in the bowl on the front table in the sanctuary. 

On November 11, 2018, John shared his diagnosis of ALS with the class. He wept. We wept, but he was strong. He worked as long as he could. He was particularly concerned with his work at the Juvenile Justice Center and continued there even after he had to forego the rest of his legal practice. When he finally had to acknowledge that he was at risk living alone, he moved to the Northland Rehabilitation and Health Care Center. The Seekers and many other friends visited him regularly, prayed with him, read scripture that he had specified, and simply sat with him. During the many months that he was at the care center, he reported not a day had passed without his having a visitor, and often several. 

On September 15, John’s birthday, the Seekers met for Bible Study at the care center, joined by his son and daughter-in-law and his stepson and family. We sang a hymn, shared the Bible Study lesson, served each other communion, enjoyed a cello solo, and prayed together. It was extremely meaningful for all of us. From the time of his diagnosis, John’s desire was for his life to serve as a testimony to his faith. At his death on October 7, those who had known and loved John could say with gratitude, his life had served, indeed, as a powerful testimony.

On Sunday we will remember John and the many others who are no longer with us on earth. We will be challenged by their saintly testimony to be better ourselves. All Saints Days gives us that opportunity.