March 19, 2021
To the Beloved Community at St. James’, Austin,
While not physically present, Marti, Austin, and I want you to know how very much a part of our lives and our beings all of you remain. You, your community, your values, your continued love, are a touchstone for each of us. Lately our hearts have been heavy for many reasons. First, we are saddened by the racial tension in our church, our country, and our world, but we are also hopeful for this momentous opportunity for change, all the while each of us so grateful and blessed by the many ways you taught us, challenged us, loved us on that journey. Second, the very sad news of Keith David Braithwaite’s death. We were floored by that news here. We love that family, and him, so much. Then, we received word of the death of Saint Bertha. The reality is that most of us who are living right now, who have touched, or been touched, by St. James’ in any way, do not know it without her. She was the one remaining sentient being that was present at the founding of this community we love.
I have so many great memories of Bertha. Loving ones. Challenging ones. Scary ones! She always got my attention. If I was around her and that hand went up, and even more if that index finger came out, I knew it was time to buckle up! One such time was when I was in discernment regarding the episcopate. The day I announced that I was going to enter into discernment for the Diocese of Olympia, Bertha walked up to me after the service, and although she did not raise that hand, or put out that index finger, with her voice she said, “I want to come see you THIS WEEK!” I tried to schedule the meeting as soon as possible because I knew I was not going to sleep until it had occurred! I was right too. When she walked in, she plopped herself down in my office chair, she looked at me with those eyes that said, “You are in the dog house with me!” And she said, “now tell me about this church in Seattle!” And so I started telling her, and then she looked confused and it became apparent that she thought I was looking at one church, to be a Rector. When I explained that I was to be a bishop and it was not one church, but about 100 churches, she slapped her leg, stood up, and smiled and blurted out, ….loud, really loud, “OH, well if it is for a bishop than that is just great with me!” And she hugged me and walked out….. In the list of moments in my life where I have breathed a sigh of relief, this is in the top 10!. I have some trauma in wondering what my life might have been like if she had decided it wasn’t all right!
But, at the same time, I have far more stories of love and care and affirmation from her. She, I always felt, was a huge support. She took really good care of me and I always felt I could rely on her for the honest appraisal. These days, that is worth its weight in gold and more.
She was a force to be reckoned with, to be sure, and I am forever grateful that she was. I, personally, have benefited from that, from her, from her careful love and stewardship of this community she helped found, and that she never stopped loving. I know for many readers you feel and know the same.
In Judaism, there is an ancient belief, about the “hidden righteous ones”. This belief is that at any given time there are 36 righteous people in the world, most if not all unknown to most of us, who are holding the world together. I have always liked that concept. Because one of those 36 could be just about anyone you meet, and you might not ever know. Also, you may be called upon to be one of the 36 at any given moment. Bertha, I believe, was one of those people more often than not.
She would be the first one to scoff at the legacy of St. James’ being all about her, but she would be the first, and loudest, to remind us all that St. James’ does have a legacy, and a very important one, and it is up to all of us to steward it, to grow it, to share it.
In her long years she watched so much change, but more than that, she put her steady hand toward making the change. She didn’t just articulate her faith, she lived it. Her legacy, and the legacy of all the founders, will continue on if we choose to live the same.
We send our love to you all as, across the miles, yet with you, we celebrate the life, ministry, and witness of Ms. Bertha Sadler Means.
Faithfully,
Greg
The Rt. Rev. Gregory H. Rickel
VIII Bishop of Olympia and Chief Steward
(He, Him, His)
