photo from Google
written by Rev. Dr. Yvonne Boyd
“I find it very difficult to let a friend or beloved go into that country of no return. I answer the heroic question, “Death, where is thy sting?” with “It is here in my heart, and my mind, and my memories.” – Maya Angelou
Returning to work on January 6th , and following a special and wonderful Christmas vacation with my daughter who is doing research in France: I was looking forward to a week of residential visits and engagement with the culture and space that is Motion Picture and Television Fund (MPTF). I am serving in extension ministry, as the chaplain for the independent and assisted living communities at MPTF. On Tuesday January 7th, I enjoyed extended conversations with a few staff, reviewed emails, and enjoyed unscheduled visits with residents as we moved about the campus. Throughout the day, I paid attention to the news of the fire that had ignited in the Palisades and the weather report for the remainder of the evening. At about 4:00pm, I decided to leave work for the evening. I live in Monrovia. Upon arriving home around 5:30, I thought of visiting a favorite restaurant in order to purchase a bowl of soup, as I found the Santa Ana winds to be a cold wind. The restaurant was closed. And so, I turned toward the mountains to make my way home. As I turned north, fire sirens began to blare and multiple fire engines took to the streets, going north, and west. My husband’s office is 5 minutes from the house, and so I phoned him. He acknowledged that he too was headed home, because of the decibel of the sirens. When we arrived, we loaded our respective cars and parked them on the street. By 6:30pm, we lost power, even the city flood lights were dark.
Homer and I responded to the voluntary evacuation that was announced at 1:30am. We were safe and warm, as we evacuated to his sister’s home. And then around 9am, I turned on the morning news, and I could not comprehend what I was watching. I know Altadena. For 23 years, I had the delight and privilege to be the pastor of Altadena United Methodist Church. Homer and I reared our daughter in Altadena. As I watched the news, I began to receive texts from past church members that their homes had burned. I watched the news and as cameras panned Lake Avenue – neighborhoods east and west, north and south of the corner of Lake Avenue and Altadena Drive – my heart sank. Shock, sadness, and disbelief began to consume me. I first learned that Pasadena Synagogue burned, as I watched the interview with the Rabbi; the synagogue that I had taken numerous Confirmation classes to visit and experience Jewish worship services, Bar Mitzvahs and Bat Mitzvahs; St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Altadena Baptist Church, Altadena Congregational Church, Altadena Country Club, Altadena Senior Center, and… then Altadena United Methodist Church.
Over the 23 years of service as pastor of AUMC, I learned of its rich history. The church was chartered in 1806 by the German Evangelical United Brethren denomination. After 1974 and the formation of the UMC, and later in 1980’s Altadena UMC church merged with Lincoln Park
United Methodist Church; a predominantly Black congregation that was located in Pasadena. AUMC became a diverse community in every way. Upon my appointment I was welcomed by Bessie Rank, then 101 yrs old, the daughter of one of the charter members of the church. What fond memories I hold of her, as I endearingly, albeit fearfully, recall catching her on Altadena Drive, as she drove her big boxy 1957 model car.
Memories – families’ homes where I had enjoyed a meal, laughed with, cried with, prayed with… Memories – Baptisms, Weddings, Anniversaries and funerals. Celebrating Global Sunday, as the proclamation was given by Pam and Louis Harris’ dear friend, the Bahamian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Public Service Fred Mitchell and who joined by the Bahamian Ambassador to Japan, actor Sydney Poitier and the Ambassador to the US, the Honorable Joshua Sears. And following the service we enjoyed a Global Fair that welcomed Irish dancers, Folklorico dancers, Lion dancers, Koren drummers, a Scottish band piper and so much more.
Memories – the church home of the first African American to be a pediatrician in the city of Pasadena, the late Dr. Robert Nesbitt and the first African American electrical engineer to be employed at LA Water and Power, the late Olsen Rogers, Sr. Church home to late Dr. David Bruce Rogers, son of the late Reverend Dr. Cornish and Elsie Rogers. David was among the firsts African American pediatric geneticists in US. David was member of a team of researchers who first identified the mutated gene that causes a major dwarfing disorder. The church home of community leader and social activist Sally Haggins a past president of Pasadena Women In Action. Marion Haggins, Sally’s husband was the first African American manager of a Southern California Vons store.
Memories – the celebration of the High Holy Days, Lenten Movie and Dinner discussions. . . one that welcomed David Oyelowo to lead a discussion about his portrayal of one of the Tuskegee Airmen in the movie Red Tails, and to honor our own church member who was a Tuskegee Airman, O. Oliver Goodall, Sr. Memories – Maundy Thursday and Good Friday Service of Seven Last Words of Jesus Spoken from the Cross; worship experiences that brought Bishops and clergy from around the Annual Conference to help AUMC and visitors journey the way of the Cross.
Memories of Children’s Sunday, and Youth Sunday at which time the children and the youth, respectively, were guided in providing leadership for the entire worship experience. Black History Month celebrations that were written and directed by Kris Miller and performed by the children and youth. The Cub Scouts led by Greg Brazil, Percy Clingmon, and Paul Gibson. Memories of youth and young adults who went on to serve as US II partners in mission, Board of Church and Society Racial Ethnic Congressional Interns; serve as a Congressional page for Congressman Adam Schiff and serve in the Peace Corps. Memories of lay people who moved beyond the local church as served on district and conference boards; served on the General Board of Global Ministries. Memories of the AUMC Choir under the direction of Paul
Stephenson and organist Arlene Ferrolino providing the music ministry at the 2012 Annual Conference Ordination Service. Memories of congregants – youth and adults – who joined others from across the AC as participants of Burned Church work teams; restoring the hopes of southern Black churches that fell victims to arson.
Memories – celebrations of MLK Sunday with proclamations from the late Rev. Dr. James M. Lawson, Jr, Dr. Josephine Jones, the first US African American pediatric cardiologist, and Dr. Andrea Hayes, the first African American US pediatric surgical oncologist.
Memories. . . the celebration of the 100th church anniversary with the Reverend Dr. Walter Kimbrough, Sr as the proclaimer; he who happened to be the uncle of a then recently joined family, Philip and Kim Randall. Memories, the many selfless hours – years – of service that Sandra Anderson offered in directing VITA, Volunteer in Tax Assistance; a free tax preparation service that helped innumerable people. And, memories of negotiating with and welcoming Headstart to AUMC, in order to provide quality and accessible early childhood education, regardless of ability to pay.
Altadena UMC was a congregation rich in history!
The consequences of the destructive Eaton Canyon fires are immeasurable. Death – physically, and emotionally – permeates the air. The grief is real. The sadness is real. The anger is real. The fear is real. And Maya Angelou’s contemplation is visceral: “I find it very difficult to let a friend or beloved go into that country of no return. I answer the heroic question, “Death, where is thy sting?” with “It is here in my heart, and my mind, and my memories.”
HOPE, nevertheless, prevail. It is in our hearts, our minds and our memories. We shall rise from the ashes. And we shall commune, again. Christ words, shared with his disciples as he anticipated his worst hours, and then on the day when he rose and when he met the disciples in the upper room, are ours to hold unto this day and in days to come. They are words that speak undying truth to the power of the Resurrection, and our daily “resurrections.” We shall rise from the ashes. We shall commune again! For we shall do it, “in remembrance of me.”
