Well done, faithful and loving servants.
On Tuesday, March 17, we learned from the Rev. Charlie Brumbaugh that both his mother, Nancy Brumbaugh, and his brother, PJ Brumbaugh, had passed away a few days earlier. They were mere days apart from each other. The passing of Nancy may have been anticipated, as she fought a courageous several-year battle with cancer. But PJ’s passing was a total shock to all that knew him and was not anticipated or expected. Nancy lived a full and enriched life well into her mid-90s. PJ was only in his early 70s.
Both their lives serve as a testament and example to me of pure and simple love of both God and their parish of St Paul’s Episcopal. Nancy, in her early 90’s, was eager to serve on our Parish Profile committee in the fall and winter months of 2022. She contributed all the history sections of our recent Parish profile booklet. And PJ, fresh off serving several years on our vestry, was the first parish member to reach out to me on March 12 to offer to serve on the new priest search committee, just a few days before his untimely passing.
But for all that they gave to their beloved Parish over so many years, what struck me so much about both was their tireless devotion and spirit of giving, even when they were in sickness and declining health, or worn and tired. For me, it serves as an inspiration about what it means to gladly and lovingly give of oneself to the greater good in doing God’s work through their parish family at St Paul’s. I hope their inspiration can push me (and perhaps us) to be as faithful, engaging and loving in my older years, or when my physical health is failing me. When I look back on them with fond memories, I want to push myself. If they can do it, I want to do it, too. I want some of what they had.
Go in peace dear friends. Well done faithful and loving servants. I hope you are both basking in the love and warmth of God smiling on you forever and offering to you one more time, your old college cheer…. Go Blue!