This album is a collection of prayers from the end of the sermons; 1982-1983. Did you perhaps mistake me for someone else?? In 1983, Dr Coffin's son Alex was killed in a car accident. Among the healing flood of letters that followed his death was one carrying this wonderful quote from the end of Hemingways A Farewell to Arms: The world breaks everyone, then some become strong at the broken places. My own broken heart is mending, and largely thanks to so many of you, my dear parishioners; for if in the last week I have relearned one lesson, it is that love not only begets love, it transmits strength. So while trite, it's true: I walked a mile with Pleasure, Which is not to say that there are no nature-caused deaths I can think of many right here in this parish in the five years Ive been here deaths that are untimely and slow and pain-ridden, which for that reason raise unanswerable questions, and even the specter of a Cosmic Sadist yes, even an Eternal Vivisector. But its a fact: few of us are naturally profound. God is dead set against all unnatural deaths. Contributions to support this project can always be made through PayPal (david@davidcoffin.com). No matter where they're going or what they're going to experience, the primary reason people mourn a death is because they know they'll miss the person who died and won't see them again. --Robert Browning Hamilton. But like God herself, Scripture is not around for anyones protection, just for everyones unending support. While the words of the Bible are true, grief renders them unreal. This invaluable anthology is the first and only collection dedi Which is not to say that there are no nature-caused deaths I can think of many right here in this parish in the five years Ive been here deaths that are untimely and slow and pain-ridden, which for that reason raise unanswerable questions, and even the specter of a Cosmic Sadist yes, even an Eternal Vivisector. I also know this day-brightener of a son wouldn't wish to be held close by grief (nor, for that matter, would any but the meanest of our beloved departed) and that, interestingly enough, when I mourn Alex least I see him best. The cause of violence is not ignorance. Nationalism at the expense of another nation, is just as wicked as racism at the expense of another race. God is dead set against all unnatural deaths. William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City. He was 81.. I mentioned the healing flood of letters. I think in the end they pay him a fortune to make the dead go back to their graves. William Sloane Coffin Jr. (June 1, 1924 - April 12, 2006) was an American Christian clergyman and long-time peace activist. Interview with Religion & Ethics Newsweekly. This is the seventh year of the complete ten year collection of sermons. Didn't the eagle find a fresh liver to tear in Prometheus every time it dined?". But when children die, they take away the future as well. But oh, the things I learned from her All rights reserved. William Sloane Coffin Jr., a Presbyterian minister and social activist who was an outspoken leader of the civil rights and antiwar movements of the 1960s and '70s, died Wednesday at his . And the Emperor said, So? " William Sloan Coffin, who died yesterday at 81, was among the foremost pacifists of his generation, and set the mold for the liberal activist preacher ." Coffin, the model for Doonesbury's Reverend Sloan, was a Freedom Rider, Yale chaplain, champion for social justice and one of the most respected leaders of the anti-Vietnam war movement. But I'm an atheist. As his younger brother put it simply, standing at the head of the casket at the Boston funeral, "You blew it, buddy. But its a fact: few of us are naturally profound. We have to be forced down. View all William Sloane Coffin Quotes. In my email signature, I have this quote by him: The world is too dangerous for anything but truth and too small for anything but love.. Not because our diverse readership will agree with all of its theological underpinnings, but because I think it offers wise advice on what to say (and not say) when someone dies tragically, a poignant window on the human experience, and a lesson in the art of effective rhetoric(hence why we were discussing it in a communications class). The document has moved here. See more stories about iPad, HBO, How-To. Itsjust one of those things I think is worth a read by all. William Sloane Coffin, a former Yale University chaplain known for his anti-war and peace activism, dies at the age of 81. T he Rev. I read through this with utter esteem for the sentiments therein and Will is right to say that those who speak in response to a tragedy like this they could learn much from this eulogy, which said it all, so very very well. Coffin delivered his sermon "Eulogy for Alex" at Riversid e Church. Cannot see the record cut, To them Western attitudes would be incomprehensible. So he has a hand in making our lives better but not worse? And Christ spent an inordinate amount of time delivering people from paralysis, insanity, leprosy, and muteness. It remains a heartfelt classic in homiletics. We chaired you through the market-place; There's something deep in there that involves joy and hope. 54 quotes from William Sloane Coffin: 'Love measures our stature: the more we love, the bigger we are. And round that early-laurelled head 25 @art-of-manliness / art-of-manliness.tumblr.com, Editors note: Ten days after his son, Alex, drove off a bridgeand was killed in a car accident, Reverend William Sloane Coffin delivered the following sermon to his congregation at Riverside Church in New York City. William Sloane Coffin, Jr., (born June 1, 1924, New York, New York, U.S.died April 12, 2006, Strafford, Vermont, U.S.), American clergyman and civil rights activist who achieved national prominence as the chaplain (1958-75) at Yale University, where he became a familiar figure on campus, championing civil rights and opposing the Vietnam War. Can you explain what that means for you? Q: Let me ask you to look back a little bit at some of the great movements you were part of. The garland briefer than a girls. RN: How is Vermont a model in this respect? I was moved to tears, to be perfectly honest. The answers quick and keen, the honest look, the laughter, the love, The night after Alex died I was sitting in the living room of my sisters house outside of Boston, when the front door opened and in came a nice-looking, middle-aged woman, carrying about eighteen quiches. A Eulogy for Alex Editor's note: Ten days after his son, Alex, drove off a bridge and was killed in a car accident, Reverend William Sloane Coffin delivered the following sermon to his congregation at Riverside Church in New York City. The Coffin award is given in honor of the life and ministry of William Sloane Coffin, former Chaplain to the University and one of the 20th century's most significant religious leaders. And early though the laurel grows And of course I know, even when pain is deep, that God is good. If a week ago last Monday, a lamp went out, it was because, for him at least, the Dawn had come. That clarifies the sight I sought the Lord, and he heard me, "William Sloan Coffin, who died yesterday at 81, was among the foremost pacifists of his generation, and set the mold for the liberal activist preacher." and Yale Divinity School. The reality of grief is the absence of God "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" Seems a good deal for him - get all the praise when things go our way but none of the blame when things go wrong due to no fault of our own. Theres such wisdom in these words that Ive found it bears re-reading from time to time. Houseman, To an Athlete Dying Young. And I wept and I wept. Is that so hard to understand? Last week my senior minister shared with me a sermon dated January 23, 1983 (Palm Sunday) written by William Sloane Coffin. Eyes the shady night has shut Well, so I wanted them to know, they had a pastor. William Sloane Coffin, a United Church of Christ Minister known globally for his peace and justice advocacy, died April 12, 2006, at his home in rural Strafford, Vt. Quotes, as voted by Quotefancy readers. But when children die, they take away the future as well. Alex, as he was called, was killed in a car accident in 1983 when he was only. The Theology of William Sloane Coffin. Still there is much by way of consolation. I'm puzzled by all of this. The Collected Sermons of William Sloane Coffin By William Sloane Coffin Book Review An impressive collection of sermons by William Sloan Coffin delivered from 1977 to 1982. Letters to a Young Doubter By William Sloane Coffin Book Review Letters by the inimitable Christian progressive on faith, doubt, Jesus, and the insanities of a world awash . Man and boy stood cheering by, When she saw me, she shook her head, then headed for the kitchen, saying sadly over her shoulder, "I just don't understand the will of God." After one year at Yale, Coffin joined the U.S. Army, in which he served until 1947, when he returned to Yale, graduating with a B.A. I mentioned the healing flood of letters. You gave me what God gives all of us minimum protection, maximum support. Because there are no rankling unanswered questions, and because Alex and I simply adored each other, the wound for me is deep, but clean. But violent deaths, such as the one Alex died to understand those is a piece of cake. This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. But the point is this. Last year Union Theological Seminary in New York gave him its highest medal. Robert Browning Hamilton Or, in Emily Dickinsons verse: By a departing light We see acuter quite Than by a wick that stays. Didnt the eagle find a fresh liver to tear in Prometheus every time it dined? When parents die, as my mother did last month, they take with them a large portion of the past. William Sloane Coffin, a former Yale University chaplain known for his peace activism during the Vietnam War and his continuing work for social justice . "I'll say you don't, lady!" So while trite, its true: I walked a mile with Pleasure, She chattered all the way; But left me none the wiser For all she had to say. Welcome to the sermons and prayers download page. by Rev. And find unwithered on its curls This is the third year of the complete ten year collection of sermons. He was ordained in the Presbyterian Church, and later received ministerial standing in the United Church of Christ. When sorrow walked with me. And of course I know, even when pain is deep, that God is good. Thousands of people have died without the benefit of a poetic father! This eulogy from William Sloane Coffin following the death of his son offers words of wisdom and hope for those struggling with the tragedy in Connecticut. The woman most in need of liberation is the woman in every man and the man in every woman. Ten days after Alex's death, he delivered this extraordinary sermon to his congregation at Riverside Church in New York City. January 6, 1968 Spock and Coffin Indicted For Activity Against Draft By FRED P. GRAHAM . Refusing to cede the battlefield of morality to conservatives, he argues that "compassion demands . Get All Beings Everywhere delivered to your inbox. Editor's note: Ten days after his son, Alex, drove off a bridge and was killed in a car accident, Reverend William Sloane Coffin delivered the following sermon to his congregation at Riverside Church in New York City. William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City. Not because our diverse readership will agree with all of its theological underpinnings, but because I think it offers wise advice on what to say (and not say) when someone dies tragically, a poignant window on the human experience, and a lesson in the art of effective rhetoric(hence why we were discussing it in a communications class). As far as I can tell, when you die, in the words of Art Bell, it's.."lights out" (I love the way he puts it.) The scripture reading for each sermon can be found below in PDF format. There's something in the flight Will flock to gaze the strengthless dead, Until one has personally experienced the loss of a loved one, one can not understand the feelings about the death both positive and negative. Actually, its even more worth a listen; its considerably more powerful inthe oral form in which it was delivered, and the audio can be accessed here. An Eulogy for Alex But the things I learned from her Q: As you look back on everything you've done in your wonderful life, what are you most proud of? He was ordained in the Presbyterian Church, and later received ministerial standing in the United Church of Christ. How much suffering? And of course I know, even when pain is deep, that God is good. William Sloane Coffin's Eulogy for Alex Ten days after his son, Alex, was killed in a car accident, Reverend William Sloane Coffin delivered this sermon to his congregation at Riverside Church in New York City. If we (me included) could only get a fraction of a grasp between the difference between time and eternity we would cling much less to time and be closer to God's perspective. But like God herself, Scripture is not around for anyones protection, just for everyones unending support. You blew it. The one thing that should never be said when someone dies is It is the will of God. Never do we know enough to say that. And thats what hundreds of you understood so beautifully. The reality of grief is the absence of God My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? The reality of grief is the solitude of pain, the feeling that your heart is in pieces, your minds a blank, that there is no joy the world can give like that it takes away. (Lord Byron). And the folks in Riverside Church had to know whether or not they still had a pastor. And set you at your threshold down, I know how lucky I am! You can purchase individual sermons for $4.42 (includes processing fees). The Rev. You will also find a collection of his prayers that concluded many of his sermons. Theres something in the flight That clarifies the sight And decks the rays. Yale University's chaplain, the Rev. I swear to you, I wouldnt be standing here were I not upheld. How are you able to look at the world as it is and still have the capacity for feeling joyful? Coffin about his experiences as a Freedom Rider from NPR; Read a transcript of an interview with Rev. Above all, he condemns what he sees as the country's self-righteousness. In his younger days he was an athlete, a talented pianist, a CIA agent, and later chaplain of Yale University, where the influence of Reinhold Niebuhr's . In New York City such as the one Alex died to understand those is a collection of.... Sheets ( CSS ) enabled back a little bit at some of the complete ten year collection of prayers. April 12, 2006 ) was an American Christian clergyman and long-time peace.! 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