By Chad Hershberger
Today, Christians around the world commemorate All Saints Day. It’s a day when we remember the great cloud of witnesses who have come before us, and often we commemorate those in our midst who died in the last year. Many congregations will commemorate this festival on Sunday.
In my home congregation, a votive candle is lit for each of the dearly departed since the last All Saints Sunday. In one congregation I attended, the pastor usually talked about those saints during her sermon, prayed for them during the prayers of the people, the tolled a bell as each name was read.
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to preach on September 29. On that day in our church year, we commemorate St. Michael and All Angels. As I was arriving to worship, I got a phone call to tell me that my aunt had died. That day, during worship. we sang a song about the angels and the heavenly chorus. I smiled (and teared up a bit) when I thought that my aunt was now among them, singing with God.
When I remember saints in my life, I also smile. I smile for the memories they bring back to mind. I smile that I spend part of this life with them in it.
I’ve been thinking lately about the great cloud of witnesses that have walked the grounds of Camp Mount Luther. I think that’s because we lost two giants in our history this year. With the deaths of Betty Jane Mincemoyer and Carla Everett-Ladonis, my mind wanders to all these women’s accomplishments and how they moved camp forward. I think of the many people who envisioned what this place would be. It was very much an experiment, but faith guided them in building the foundation that we sit on today. I think of the thousands of people who have gone through our gates to experience God in this place. I think of the friendships that have been made and sustained and how many appreciate creation because of their time at camp.
I’m writing this on a day when we welcomed the 7th grade class at Selinsgrove Middle School. They are doing a day of learning activities away from their school building. I enjoyed seeing their smiling faces and the laughter they brought along with them. I also talked to a few of the adults and several of them recounted memories they had of coming to Camp Mount Luther as kids. They loved that it felt just like it did back then and they reveled in the nostalgia it brought back in their brains.
The Camp Mount Luther experience is an important one. And on this All Saints Day, I give thanks to God for the men and women who have stewarded this place for over 60 years. I give thanks for their faithfulness and their dedication to the gospel. I give thanks that I can walk in their footsteps and continue this important work in this place. For all the saints, who from their labors rest, we give you thanks, O Lord.