Former pastor: "Your father was a wonderful mentor to me when I was pastoring"

Good morning, Clair:

Thank you so much for your email updating me on your father. It brings back the passing of Loretta's mother, just three years ago in very much the same way, congestive heart failure and ultimately the shutting down of her kidneys. She lived about five days after she made the decision not to do dialysis. She faded from consciousness after she had the opportunity to say goodbye to each of her children one last time. What a wonderful gift to know that we have run the race, kept the faith and have no regrets. AMEN!

Your father was a wonderful mentor to me when I was pastoring at Olive and since coming to EMU. I remember well our night together at the bedside of __(name withheld by Clair)__, who experienced a tremendous sense of bondage prior to that evening, after that he was able to face death with a sense of confidence, freedom and assurance. It was not only transformative for ____ but also for me.

I took the opportunity to talk with him several minutes this morning and to say good-bye.

Blessings to you and the family during this time of your father's home-going.

Please keep in touch.

Phil Helmuth

(Executive Director of Development and Church Relations, Eastern Mennonite University)