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The church: The cathedral church of St Mark, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
Denomination: Episcopal (ECUSA).
The building: St Mark's is a traditional building, built of huge blocks of native red sandstone and boasting exposed dark roof trusses. The building was designed by American Institute of Architects founder Richard Upjohn in the 1870s. Completed and consecrated in 1874, it is a small building for a cathedral, holding a maximum of only a few hundred people. St Mark's is the oldest place of continual worship in the state of Utah. It has some absolutely stunning windows by Louis Comfort Tiffany, including one of St George.
The neighbourhood: St Mark's is located just east of downtown Salt Lake City and only a few blocks from Temple Square, the home of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (the Mormon Church). The downtown boasts a mix of distinctively rectilinear Mormon architecture and the usual urban glass and concrete towers.
The cast: The Very Rev. Jack C. Potter, Dean Emeritus of St Mark's – homilist and celebrant; the Rev. Elizabeth Hunter, deacon – gospeller; and Elder Dona Dillon Emerson – reader.
The Burial of the Dead: Rite I. A service of thanksgiving for the life of Linda Marie "Molly" Dillon.
How full was the building?
There were 42 people present in a building that would hold several hundred.
Did anyone welcome you personally?
We were welcomed graciously by Molly's family, the cathedral clergy and St Mark's parishioners. Many expressed their gratitude to the Ship of Fools community for the support given Molly in her final illness. Click here to read more.
Was your pew comfortable?
The pew was fine.
How would you describe the pre-service atmosphere?
It was very quiet. The family and most people were already seated when we arrived. A few people came in after us. A kind woman got us service bulletins, which we had neglected to pick up at the table in the back of the church.
What were the exact opening words of the service?
"I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die."
What books did the congregation use during the service?
The ECUSA Book of Common Prayer 1979 and The Hymnal 1982.
What musical instruments were played?
A 44-rank Holtkamp organ, built in 1967.
Did anything distract you?
No.
Was the worship stiff-upper-lip, happy clappy, or what?
The service was a dignified traditional language burial office and celebration of the Holy Communion. Molly had planned it herself.
Exactly how long was the sermon?
Eight minutes.
On a scale of 1-10, how good was the preacher?
The homily was unquestionably a 10. We agreed
that Dean Potter preached a superb, eloquent and moving sermon.
In a nutshell, what was the sermon about?
Based on the narrative of the raising of Lazarus
in the 11th chapter of John's Gospel, the dean spoke of Martha's accusatory
greeting of Jesus: "Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn't
have died." Anger and a failure to understand the workings of God's
mercy and grace can be for us an opportunity to enlarge our faith. Then,
when Lazarus was raised and staggered out of the tomb in his burial shroud,
Jesus said, "Loose him and let him go." Similarly, now that
Molly has been raised to everlasting life, we, too, must obey Jesus' command
and "loose her" so that she can serve God in the life to come
and be free to continue to become who God means her to be.
Which part of the service was like being in heaven?
We knew that everyone there had loved and cared for Molly. We also were
conscious of the prayers ascending from around the world from people who
were truly present in spirit with us. In a sense, we were in heaven, for
we were surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses from every corner of
the globe in addition to the angels and saints and martyrs welcoming Molly
into heaven.
In a nutshell, what was the sermon
about?
Based on the narrative of the raising of Lazarus
in the 11th chapter of John's Gospel, the dean spoke of Martha's accusatory
greeting of Jesus: "Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn't
have died." Anger and a failure to understand the workings of God's
mercy and grace can be for us an opportunity to enlarge our faith. Then,
when Lazarus was raised and staggered out of the tomb in his burial shroud,
Jesus said, "Loose him and let him go." Similarly, now that
Molly has been raised to everlasting life, we, too, must obey Jesus' command
and "loose her" so that she can serve God in the life to come
and be free to continue to become who God means her to be.
Which part of the service was like being in heaven?
We knew that everyone there had loved and cared for Molly. We also were
conscious of the prayers ascending from around the world from people who
were truly present in spirit with us. In a sense, we were in heaven, for
we were surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses from every corner of
the globe in addition to the angels and saints and martyrs welcoming Molly
into heaven.
Which part of the service was like being in
heaven?
We knew that everyone there had loved and cared for Molly. We also were
conscious of the prayers ascending from around the world from people who
were truly present in spirit with us. In a sense, we were in heaven, for
we were surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses from every corner of
the globe in addition to the angels and saints and martyrs welcoming Molly
into heaven.
And which part was like being in... er... the other place?
There was nothing even remotely hellish about the service.
What happened when you hung around after the service looking lost?
That wasn't even a possibility. Everyone greeted us with kindness and
affection. Molly's parents are generous and kind people who over and over
expressed their gratitude to the people on Ship of Fools for the love
and care and prayers that had ascended for Molly. Molly's sister, Dona
(Songbird), also was gracious. Deacon Libby gave us a tour of the cathedral.
We were honored guests.
How would you describe the after-service
coffee?
In addition to hot and cold drinks, there were the makings of sandwiches
as well as cold veggies to munch on.
How would you feel about making this church your regular (where 10 = ecstatic, 0 = terminal)?
10. It's hard to judge a church based on this sort of special service.
But both of us would probably be well-disposed to St Mark's because it
was one of the places that formed Molly spiritually.
Did the service make you feel glad to be a
Christian?
Oh, yes.
What one thing will you remember about all this in seven days' time?
We will remember the sense of wonder expressed by Molly's family that
people all over the world were praying along with us and celebrating Molly's
life. This was symbolized by the place of honor given to the Ship of Fools
quilt among the memorabilia displayed at the reception (see photograph
above).
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