The Rev. Buddy Monahan, my friend and colleague and leader in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), advocate for Native American peoples in and out of the church, seeker of justice, lover of life and the human family, was killed in a car accident on Tuesday, March 27, 2018. I wrote this and posted it on Facebook. As I watched the live stream of his memorial service today, I realized that I wanted to post this here as well – to make it easier for me to find. The photo was taken at Standing Rock where Buddy, the Rev. Irvin Porter, and Synod Executive Elona-Street Stewart and I visited on behalf of the church. Our colleague Rick Jones took the photo.
We will remember you, Buddy,
we will remember you:
follower of Jesus
seeker of justice
pursuer of peace
breaker of chains
builder of community
child, spouse, father
chaplain, pastor
coach, teacher
youth worker
colleague, mentor, friend
person of faith
beloved child of God.
You loved your family,
cherished your friends,
affirmed Native peoples,
called the Church to repent,
invited Eric Law to Menaul,
traveled to Standing Rock,
challenged power and privilege,
analyzed the Doctrine of Discovery,
disrupted racism, patriarchy, and more.
And suddenly, unexpectedly, tragically,
you are gone. Too young gone. Too soon gone.
Understanding falters.
We grieve.
But above our grief
through our grief
within our grief
we hear faintly,
ever so faintly,
your song now perfectly joined with the Song.
And above our grief
through our grief
within our grief
we give thanks to God
for sharing you for a season
with Dyanna
with Jordyn, Ashdyn, Brandyn
with Menaul School
with Westminster Presbyterian Church
with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
with so many, with us.
And above our grief
through our grief
within our grief
we give thanks that God who made you,
and who journeyed with you
and who loved you
loves you still;
loves us still.
We will remember you, Buddy,
we will remember you.
Written 27 March 2018
Posted 4 April 2018
See you along the Trail.
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Tricia came to town to join the tour over the Memorial Day weekend, arriving on Thursday, May 24. Friday was a work day that did bring a walk in Riverside Park. See the past several posts for photos of purple flowers.
The return tour to New York has continued although posts have not been made. Efforts will be made to address that.
In support of friends in Lincoln, Nebraska who were participating in the Autism 5K today, I did 5K on the treadmill. It’s the first time I have done 5K since I have been back in New York. 
