I light the chalice in memory of losses and my ability to survive them.
    
Good morning. I am Pat Parkerton, an experienced loser.

I lost the 4th grade class frog after my cat Tinker Bell spent the night with it,    my invincibility at 16 when I was first hospitalized, my singleness of focus when my daughter was born, my solitary direction when I joined my first UU church.

Studded by hard work and fun and wins — have been many other losses. They do diminish in power with time. They create intersections in a bland life path. Now, I see — the path does continue.

But, can we tolerate yet one more loss?

How do we say goodbye to our Minister who has:
    • Managed this corporation,
    • Tolerated our visions and plans and construction,
    • Led us to laugh and cry together, and
    • Filled this large space with the beauty of her smile.

How do we say goodbye to Reverend Meyer who has:
    • Represented us in the larger community,
    • Moved us in common directions when we threatened to splinter, and
    • Held us to a larger vision when world challenges overtook us.

How do we say goodbye to our revered Minister who has:
    • Made us reflect on who we might become,
    • Visited us when we were sick,
    • Led us through life and death passages, and
    • Held our problems larger than her own.

How can we wish Judith warmth, laughter, and growth and allow her those without us?

We must assure her that:
    • She will never be replaced—but followed, and that
    • We possess communal strength, and shall evolve as the community, which she tended, should.