All Saints' Day Virtual Memorial

CEC All Saints' Day
Virtual Memorial

Since we can't be together to observe All Saints' Day in person, let's celebrate all the saints in our lives who

have entered into glory before us by remembering them here in this dedicated online sacred space! We'd love

for you to help us celebrate your saints by sending in videos, audio, photos, and/or text telling us about

the people who have most influenced your faith journey — these can be traditional saints (like Clare, Francis,

or Benedict), or anyone you know who helped make you who you are (parents, grandparents, siblings, friends,

and other loved ones). Don't forget to tell us a little bit about why these people are important to you, and why

you'd like to remember them. Send your submissions to CEC Ministry Intern Joshua Smith at

[email protected].

Eva Walker-Hamilton

(1899 – 1974)

My Grandmother (Eva B.

Walker-Hamilton) is my

favorite saint. She not

only raised me but she

also taught me to care for

the less fortunate and

showed me how to do that

by example!

— Larry Hamilton

Orville "Wayne" Farwell

(1922 – 2014)

Wayne Farwell was my father. He taught me the meaning of honor,

truth, and love. Although I have had to unlearn some of the things he

taught me, these three things have served to guide my life. He was

Carroll County Judge in Arkansas for some years, and he served on

the Eureka Springs School Board. He spent many hours on his

bulldozers, graders, and other earth moving equipment. He built

numerous roads, and ponds. He built the roads for Holiday Island, and

he helped build the lookout that overlooks Beaver Dam. He let me

pretend I was “driving” as I sat on his lap in his jeep and his bull dozer.

He raised cattle, and he loved fishing and flying. My first flying

experience was with him as he flew his Piper Cub. Later when I was older, he let me move the stick in his

plane when we flew. To my delight, this caused the plane to go up and down and made me feel all powerful.

He encouraged me to pursue a career in nursing, because, as he put it, I might someday have a husband who

could not work. I am glad I followed his advice even though in my mind being a professor of nursing had

nothing to do with a husband. I am grateful for his overly strict and conservative upbringing because it fueled

a rebellion that allowed me to find my own liberal values once I left home even though they were still guided

by the basics of truth, love, and honor that he planted in my soul.

— Kathryn Farwell

Mary Lee Stotler

(1931 – 2013)

Mary Lee was a loving grandmother who taught me to sew, cook, and fish. She never threw

anything away and always made 12 different kinds of cookies at Christmas. Grandma would always

let me play with her old costume jewelry and kept chopped carrots in the refrigerator for the dog.

She was always thinking of other people and made sure everyone around her was fed and loved.

— Alyssa Bennett Smith

"Lady" Hamilton

My childhood saint! The

best companion and the

best therapist that any

child could have and love.

An only child's dream.

— Larry Hamilton

Almighty God, by your Holy Spirit you have made us one with your saints in heaven and on earth: Grant that in our Earthly pilgrimage we may always be Supported by this fellowship of love and prayer, and know ourselves to be Surrounded by their witness to your power and mercy. We ask this for the sake of Jesus Christ, in whom all our intercessions are acceptable through the Spirit, and who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen."

— The Book of Common Prayer, p.250

Dorothy Day

(1897 – 1980)

One of my favorite saints, Dorothy Day, was a journalist, activist,

anarchist, and co-founder of the Catholic Worker Movement. Day's

spirituality was driven by a passion for service to the marginalized and

a deep, abiding conviction that our salvation is bound up with our

relationships to one another. "We cannot love God unless we love each

other," she said, "and to love we must know each other. We know

[God] in the breaking of bread, and we know each other in the

breaking of bread, and we are not alone any more." She also wrote in

her autobiography, “We have all known the long loneliness and we

have learned that the only solution is love, and that love comes with

community.”

— Joshua Smith

Shannon Mansfield Caba

(1985 – 2015)

Shannon [left photo: second from right; right photo: center] was an incredible daughter, sister,

mother, friend, and artist. She was a free spirit who lived life her own way and was always the life

of the party — easily identifiable by her infectious laugh. Shannon made incredible art and always

inspired me to do the same. Gone too soon, she is deeply missed by all who knew her.

— Alyssa Bennett Smith

Roger L. Connelly

(1913 – 1999)

and

Mildred (Duckett) Connelly

(1916 – 1995)

Every All Saints Day and All Souls Day, I remember my

great-grandparents Roger (Pa) and Mildred (Mimi). Pa was

a graduate of Eden Theological Seminary and a Methodist

pastor for most of his life. Even though they both died by

the time I was ten, they made their impression on me. I

remember spending so much time with Mimi, who played

games with me, and would let me watch her and her sisters

play card games together in the afternoon. I also remember

wandering around Pa's shop in awe at all the different tools

and projects he worked on. Pa was a tinkerer who loved to

figure out what made things tick — a trait that I inherited

from him. He even built his own working model of a steam

engine! Both were beloved, active members of the local

United Methodist Church, and they often took me to

Sunday morning worship with them. I remember

squirming around on the maroon-colored pew cushions.

That was my first experience of church, and it has stuck

with me my whole life. Rest in peace, Mimi and Pa. I wish I

could've known you as an adult.