This morning I received the news that I've been dreading for almost a week. My colleague and friend Rev. Bill Whiston had died early in the morning hours. Bill was a wonderful human being, yet perhaps even more than that he was a quintessential Pastor. Bill simply loved ministry and being with people. It didn't seem to affect him how long the hours became or how many calls he received, he was always ready to respond to the call of a person in need. Even in retirement Bill couldn't stop being a pastor and so he continued with the good folks of Westbrooke United as their Retired Supply Minister and he continued his relationship with the Queen's School of Religion as a learning group facilitator and field placement supervisor for people in formation for ministry. Bill kept giving. He brought many of us to laughter with jokes that were, let's face it, at times horrible. He reminded us of our commitment as individuals and as congregations to the M&S fund. Yet perhaps what I appreciated most about him was his calm in the face of a storm. It didn't seem to matter what we were dealing with Bill was always calm and compassionate. Even when others, myself included, had't reached that point, Bill was challenging us, challenging me, to see the good and remember the person(s) behind the issue.
I was almost brought to tears today when I was writing an email. Not because of the words it contained, or the issue it was regarding. It was because for the first time I deleted Bill's email address from the Cc line. A very subtle reminder, yet a reminder none the less that Bill wouldn't be checking his email anymore. He's returned home to his Creator, the One who showed him a love that knew no bounds, the Source that called him into ministry and empowered him to be a Pastor.
And so I mourn his passing and celebrate his life. I join together with Kingston Presbytery, the folks of Westbrooke and all the congregations Bill served, I stand with Dot and Bill's family to thank God for a man who meant so very much to each and everyone of us. To God we commend him. From this world to the next.
Farewell my friend and colleague. Farewell.
