As noted in yesterday's entry, I was listening to the old folk song "Abraham, Martin, and John" as I was writing about the all-too-soon passing of my friend, the Reverend John Fischer. I have since learned some more details of his death, and the words of this song are simply haunting me today ~~~ "Seems the good they die young...".
John got up yesterday morning and rode the MAX to work in Hillsboro, just like any other normal day. At 8:00 a.m., a co-worker heard him fall and went in only to find him on the floor. CPR was started and the EMTs arrived, but it was too late. He had suffered a massive heart attack, and was already gone ~~~ "I just looked around and he's gone....".
But it has to be the bridge of that song that speaks to me the most today ~~~ "Didn't you love the things they stood for? Didn't they try to find some good for you and me? Yes, we'll be free ~~ someday soon. Its gonna happen one day...."
Abraham, Martin, and John...and Bobby, and, now, our John. Peace, social justice, fairness, equality, freedom...yeh, I love the things they stood for. And I pray that one day, soon, it will happen.
~~bg
November 29, 2006
November 28, 2006
the loss of a friend
I posted the following blog on my MySpace page today...it bears repeating here:
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Rest in PEACE my friend and mentor
Current mood: indescribably sad
Many of you who are here in my MySpace world with me are beloved young people (and some not so young!) that I am blessed to know because of my work and ministry here at Camp Arrah Wanna. Like me, I know that for a lot of you, this place holds dear and precious memories of significant times in your life, no matter how many years you have been living that life up to this point. And, like me, for many of you there are people that are absolutely engulfed in your memories of this place ~ people that are synomous with Arrah Wanna ~ people who, when you mention their name, you think of here, and when you mention camp's name, you think of them. John and Terry Sue Fischer are two of those people in my world ~~ but today, only one of them remains.
I just received word that John has passed away after suffering a heart attack. I know no other details, but I know all I need to know. Our world, and our body of Christ here on earth, has lost a champion. The poor and the under-privileged have lost a friend. The broken, hurting and down-trodden of society have lost an advocate, and perhaps most importantly, the "cause" for peace in our world has lost a vocal leader and supporter. I have lost a friend.
John was my first staff leader here at Arrah Wanna when I was 17 years old. He and Terry Sue led our staff the summer of 1978, and worked hard to teach us leadership and ministry skills that I still draw upon today. In more recent years, John has become my friend - a prayer advocate for the ministry of Arrah Wanna, and for me personally. We've enjoyed sharing stories of politics and religion, both of which we shared similar views and kindred spirits. We've particpated together in email campaigns to enlighten and educate. My mentor has become my friend and that is such an honor for me.
The news of his all-too-soon death has hit me hard this afternoon, yet I know it has hit others even harder. Please keep Terry Sue, their sons Joel, Mike and David in your prayers, as well as the rest of John's family and friends. Please find something you believe in and, in John's memory today, step up to the plate to support that cause with your time, your money, your voice, and your prayers. If you can't think of a cause, drop me a line and,in true John Fischer fashion, I'll give you my not-so-humble opinion! I can think of no better way to honor the life of this man than to re-commit myself to making the world a better place for those less fortunate than I.
I am pretty certain the "left wing" of heaven is rocking today...I will look forward to joining in on those discussions if I am fortunate enough to make it there myself.
Rest in peace my friend and mentor, John Fischer. Heaven's gain is our loss - you will be mourned and missed.
~barbara galbraith (november 28, 2006)
Currently listening :
Abraham Martin & John
By Dion
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Rest in PEACE my friend and mentor
Current mood: indescribably sad
Many of you who are here in my MySpace world with me are beloved young people (and some not so young!) that I am blessed to know because of my work and ministry here at Camp Arrah Wanna. Like me, I know that for a lot of you, this place holds dear and precious memories of significant times in your life, no matter how many years you have been living that life up to this point. And, like me, for many of you there are people that are absolutely engulfed in your memories of this place ~ people that are synomous with Arrah Wanna ~ people who, when you mention their name, you think of here, and when you mention camp's name, you think of them. John and Terry Sue Fischer are two of those people in my world ~~ but today, only one of them remains.
I just received word that John has passed away after suffering a heart attack. I know no other details, but I know all I need to know. Our world, and our body of Christ here on earth, has lost a champion. The poor and the under-privileged have lost a friend. The broken, hurting and down-trodden of society have lost an advocate, and perhaps most importantly, the "cause" for peace in our world has lost a vocal leader and supporter. I have lost a friend.
John was my first staff leader here at Arrah Wanna when I was 17 years old. He and Terry Sue led our staff the summer of 1978, and worked hard to teach us leadership and ministry skills that I still draw upon today. In more recent years, John has become my friend - a prayer advocate for the ministry of Arrah Wanna, and for me personally. We've enjoyed sharing stories of politics and religion, both of which we shared similar views and kindred spirits. We've particpated together in email campaigns to enlighten and educate. My mentor has become my friend and that is such an honor for me.
The news of his all-too-soon death has hit me hard this afternoon, yet I know it has hit others even harder. Please keep Terry Sue, their sons Joel, Mike and David in your prayers, as well as the rest of John's family and friends. Please find something you believe in and, in John's memory today, step up to the plate to support that cause with your time, your money, your voice, and your prayers. If you can't think of a cause, drop me a line and,in true John Fischer fashion, I'll give you my not-so-humble opinion! I can think of no better way to honor the life of this man than to re-commit myself to making the world a better place for those less fortunate than I.
I am pretty certain the "left wing" of heaven is rocking today...I will look forward to joining in on those discussions if I am fortunate enough to make it there myself.
Rest in peace my friend and mentor, John Fischer. Heaven's gain is our loss - you will be mourned and missed.
~barbara galbraith (november 28, 2006)
Currently listening :
Abraham Martin & John
By Dion
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