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Urban Light is in a season of tearful send-offs as this month we lay to rest two men who added life to the church: Randy Hill and Rex Carpenter. When Rex and Randy met at Urban Light, they learned they had each retired from GM. This church brought them together and their shared work background gave them a special bond and understanding of each other. It is truly bittersweet that their families share a bond of grief in this season – bitter because neither of them would wish this kind of loss on anyone, but also sweet because of how they are able to honor the Lord and Randy and Rex by loving and supporting each other in the church. Their example reminds us that it is fitting that we draw close to each other in this season.

Randy and Rex were faithful outside the spotlight at Urban Light – men who were not perfect but who were yet faithful to their spouses and children in ways that supported many others around them. At Randy’s service, we celebrated his legacy of love and care for others. Randy played a key role in raising many youth in his family and in the greater community, providing them with a listening ear, a safe place, and at times food and shelter and family. He is part of many people’s stories of being shown a right path in life, introducing others to the Lord and inviting them to come worship with us. And Randy loved to come to worship! His entrance in the room was always noticed and his joy was radiant. He was a particular encourager of the worship team, but he had a way of making everyone around him feel special, whether they were on stage or not. He was gifted at delighting in others and it made a difference in our lives. We miss him greatly.

Rex was also a behind-the-scenes pillar, simply taking care of the needs he saw. He was regularly in the church building throughout the week, taking stock of all the odd jobs that needed to be done. Rex was good at working with his hands and found joy using that gift to build up the church. He took initiative, volunteering to see projects through from beginning to end. There is not a gathering room or an office in the building that his hands did not play a key role in improving. Even as he was undergoing chemo, you could find him sneaking in to paint a part of the building here and there because he wanted to make sure everything was taken care of. We are at a significant loss as the list of odd jobs that our old building requires grows in the weeks since he has been able to be here. We miss him and his ornery grin and friendly banter around the building every time we add an item to what he would’ve gladly put on his personal task list. That list is shared at the bottom of this story for anyone who would be honored to cross something off of it.

We thank the Lord for these men who together made us feel delightful and securely provided for as a faith community. They are truly irreplaceable. And we yet trust that the Lord who gave them as good gifts among us will continue to give us good gifts in each other. We pray his continued comforting presence with both the Hill and Carpenter families and so many others in our body who are currently experiencing significant grief in losses of close family and friends. May the Lord bless us and keep us all.

 

From Sister Dora, on behalf of the Hill family:

Randy was a man with integrity and wisdom. He was a protector. He was one of the best husbands, fathers, and grandfathers, not only to his immediate family, but to so many others. He always made sure everyone was ok. His big, bright smile will be greatly missed.  Thank you for the prayers, love, and support. They are what’s keeping us.


From Pastor Joe, on behalf of the Carpenter family:

Our family has felt your love and prayers during this very difficult season. My father’s diagnosis was almost 2 years ago, and it has been a very difficult 2 years. He was always looking for ways to serve and that didn’t stop even after his diagnosis. Often, he would tell me when he was having his chemo infusions about the projects he would like to do at the church building. He always wanted to make the place beautiful for everyone to enjoy and he truly loved using his gifts for others.

Our family cannot express how grateful we are for the ULCC church family during this time. Our dad made some incredible friends at Urban Light, and we saw the way you loved our dad/husband/papaw. You have lifted us up in prayer, provided meals, shared stories, Scriptures, and been present with us in our grief. At the time of our father’s passing I had my guitar and was singing, “Blessed Assurance.” I truly praise God for this assurance, and know my earthly father is in the presence of our heavenly Father. We continue to grieve, and I don’t plan on ever not grieving this loss until all things are made new. So until that day, we hold on to the hope that death is not the end and Jesus will have the final say. 

 

From Pastor Z, on behalf of the pastoral staff who could use a helping hand:

Current Urban Light building fix-it list:

  • Repair shelf in kitchen wall cabinet
  • Purchase a 20 ft. A-frame ladder and use it to replace sanctuary light bulbs
  • Paint Madison Street entrance stairway (also using a 20 ft. ladder)
  • Paint around new AC units in balcony
  • Purchase and add mulch to front flower beds
  • Update exterior church sign
  • Repair elevator lift button
  • Remove/replace broken wall AC unit in Andrew’s office
  • Finish painting sealant on exterior wall. (The last time we spoke, Rex specifically asked me about whether anyone had finished this project. These things were always on the top of his mind.)

If you are someone with the means and/or volunteer know-how to take care of any of these or similar projects, please get in touch with me.