Winston

His care for people was as rich as his voice. His presence put people at ease.  The twinkle in his eye a sure sign of the Holy Spirit dwelling deep within his gentle soul. 

I cannot think of Winston without picturing him standing tall at the back of the choir beside my mama, praising his Creator in song.  He was a vital, vibrant member of this congregation and for so many of us, SO many of us from my generation growing up in this church, a trusted friend and mentor we could count on.  He didn’t even have to say anything, he was just a constant, steady force of love. 

When I graduated from college and prepared to go to seminary, Winston and Georgia gifted me with a two-volume set of Calvin’s Institutes.  Even though I have often joked that these huge volumes make perfect door stops—every time I placed one (or both) of them into my bag to take to theology class, I thought of Winston, Georgia, and Beejay and their support of me.  This gift was generous, practical, and heartfelt—just as the Chapman’s are. 

Whenever I would come home to preach in those years Winston would put a hand on my shoulder and say, “I’m proud of you, girl” in that sweet, deep voice of his.  And I felt that, deeply.  I knew Winston to be compassionate, faithful, and sincere.  I’m sure we all have stories like that, of times when Winston made us, as his friends and family feel treasured. He was a confidant in shared conversations and above all, I believe, a holy listener.

In honor of his influence on my seminary career, I chose a couple of John Calvin quotes today, that I think would speak to Winston’s heart and beliefs.  The first, “However many blessings we expect from God, His infinite liberality will always exceed all our wishes and thoughts.”  And this one, which really stood out to me: “There is not one blade of grass, there is no color in this world that is not intended to make us rejoice.”

This is why Psalm 121 came to me immediately when I was asked to select scripture for today.  Winston connected with his Creator God most by being in God’s good creation. I believe he lived the words of John Muir faithfully, who said, “Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.”  He loved to be outdoors, hiking in the beautiful hills of Virginia, experiencing every color in this world that God gave us to witness to Him and rejoice! “I lift my eyes to the hills, for where will my help come? It comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” 

The truth is that it is hard for us to rejoice.  We grieve, Lord we grieve for the vacant hollow that is left in the absence of the Larger than Life presence that was Winston Chapman.  Husband. Father. Family. Friend.  And our Lord God’s heart weeps with us in our sadness.  But we are here today to witness to the resurrection—and the resurrection is the good and sure promise of eternal life that we can only imagine!  Psalm 121 tells us, The Lord will keep your life, the Lord will keep your going out and your coming in, from this time on and forevermore.”  I think Winston would say, “Don’t be sad for me, be thankful—be thankful for the life I have lived because I am—and now I go with God.”  I think Winston would tell us to embrace each day, to count each breath as a blessing and live our lives fully as children of God! He would encourage us to get out and walk these Blue Ridge Mountains, break bread with those whom we love, to be with friends in deep conversation, and use the gifts we’ve been given to witness to the gift of Grace in Christ. 

Georgia and Beejay—I love you so much, you have been my sisters in Christ for twenty years.  The gift that you all and Winston have bestowed upon my family with your friendship cannot be measured.  For us to have walked alongside you in these recent days and hours has been our honor and our privilege.  May the Spirit at work through those around you and the promise of life eternal sustain you in the days to come.  Amen.