Ruth Evans Memorial Service

July 6, 2007

The Rev. Dena Cleaver-Bartholomew

Ruth Evans was born right here in Akron at Akron General Medical Center, which was then called People’s Hospital. Throughout her life she embodied the exhortation to “Bloom where you’re planted.” An avid gardener herself, Ruth was given the gifts to cultivate order and beauty in the world around. And use those gifts she did!

Ruth’s son Ed tells me that she was a woman who “ran the household” so that everything was in order. Here at St. Paul’s Ruth put her considerable organizational skills to use on the Vestry, Parish Council, Missions Committee, Outreach Committee, Quiet Committee, Property Committee, Capital Campaign, Stewardship Committee, and as an office and front desk volunteer.

In addition to organizing and running whatever needed her skills at St. Paul’s, Ruth also took time to create and nurture beauty in this place. Ruth was a dedicated member of the Needlework Guild, prolifically producing beautiful kneelers and cushions to enhance our worship space. Not only was she a painter herself, she was a member of the Art Committee. She belonged to the Silver Committee, which brings out our finest for special occasions. Finally, during recent years, she became an incredibly productive member of Wrapped in Prayer, the knitting group which prays while creating prayer shawls for those in need, as well as baptismal blankets for our youngest members.

In the Gospel reading from John Jesus tells us “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me….” Ruth was a faithful member of this congregation for over sixty years. She knew and responded to the call of Jesus. Yet for Ruth, as for any Christian, faith is not meant to be a private enterprise. Ruth was an indefatigable worker on behalf of Jesus. If we understand Jesus to be the Good Shepherd, then surely Ruth was one of his energetic Border Collies, always ready to do what needed to be done to round up the sheep and head them wherever the Shepherd led.

In our baptismal vows we commit ourselves to “proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ”. We are evangelists in how we live out our faith in the world. As much as Episcopalians may shy away from the word ‘evangelism,’ it is often what others see in and hear from us that draws them to Church. Episcopalians may be reserved when it comes to talking the talk, but Ruth was a great example of the many who walk the walk of being a Christian. Ruth’s work at the Red Cross during World War II; her participation in the PTA, Akron Garden Club, University Club, and Stan Hywet; along with being a charter member of Sumner on Ridgewood, all demonstrate her commitment to being an active agent in improving the world around her.

In today’s reading from Revelation we are given a glimpse of the heavenly city of the new Jerusalem, “prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” This image is one of the world we know transformed, made as radiant and beautiful as a bride. It is also a wonderful image of the world Ruth worked toward, accepting what was and striving to create from it what God would have it be.

Ruth embraced the world she found herself in. She was married for thirty-four years to Maurice and together they had two children, Ed and Jean. She enjoyed the company of her brother, cousins, and many friends. She loved to read. She knew how to be in charge and she knew how to serve. Ruth regularly expanded her horizons through travel, venturing to Europe, visiting the Vatican, sailing across the Atlantic on the Queen Elizabeth. Finally, Ruth readied herself to make the journey across that ultimate horizon, the one that enabled her to dwell fully in the presence of God. Today we read in Revelation: “See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes.” The tears we have in our eyes this day express the intertwining of Christian hope and human grief. We grieve because we will miss Ruth, her energy, her personality, and her determination. Yet we rejoice because we know that the heavenly city will shine brightly with one more saint, one more imperfect yet joyful bearer of God’s love in this world.

Amen