Memorial for All Saints, All Souls and Day of the Dead

In memory of: Tyler Clementi, Seth Walsh, Justin Aaberg, Raymond Chase, Asher Brown, Cody J. Barker, Harrison Chase Brown, Caleb Nolt; Billy Lucas, Jeanine Blanchette, Chantal Dube and all other gay and lesbian youths who have committed suicide. Gwen Araujo, Rita Hester, Brandon Teena and all others who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. Harvey Milk, Matthew Shepard, Alan Schindler and all others who were murdered in homophobic violence. Jill Johnston, Mary Daly, and all lesbians whodied in 2010. Rock Hudson, Rev. Ron Russell-Coons, Rev. Jim Sandmire, Rev. Howard Wells and all others who died of AIDS. And for all saints and all souls, named and unnamed.

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Compassionate Spirit of God, unite us with the lives and visions of lesbian and gay heroes of our time… Unite us with all the souls living and dead, especially those souls taken by violence and AIDS. Unite us with all who boldly pioneered a way of pride and justice.
--from “Invocation for All Saints Day” by James Lancaster, published in Equal Rites

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In memory of
Frank Kameny
gay rights pioneer
(1925-2011)
Died Oct. 11, 2011

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In memory of
Jamey Rodemeyer
Suicide brought attention to gay bullying
(1997-2011)
Died Sept. 18, 2011

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In memory of
32 victims of New Orleans fire at gay bar
the deadliest LGBT massacre in US history
Died June 24, 1973

This candle was lit by Kittredge Cherry

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In memory of
Peter Gomes
Harvard minister, gay African American, LGBT rights advocate
Died Feb. 28, 2011

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In memory of
David Kato
Ugandan LGBT rights activist
Murdered Jan. 26, 2011

This candle was lit by Kittredge Cherry

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In memory of
Rev. Elder Jean White
MCC elder from London

This candle was lit by Kittredge Cherry

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“The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints,
went up before God from the angel’s hand.”
      -- Revelation 8:4

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In memory of
Alex Hivoltze-Jimenez

This candle was lit by Xochitl Alvizo

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In memory of
Mary Daly

This candle was lit by Xochitl Alvizo.

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In memory of
Bonnie Strom
my mother

This candle was lit by Scott and Eric Hays-Strom.

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In memory of
Bonnie Marie Whalen
 my cousin… and first confidant in my family

This candle was lit by Scott and Eric Hays-Strom.

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In memory of:  All Kelley's Loved Ones. Patti, a very brave Kweer woman. Irving "Herb" Finger 10/20/36 - 1/22/87. Winson "Winn" Strickland 4/12/45 - 1-21-86. All those who have died of environmental illness, multiple chemical sensitivities, chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome, Gulf War syndrome and environmental sensitivities. Julia Kendall, mother of all anti-perfume activism in the US. Monika Quinlan, tireless lay catholic voice for the chemically injured. Cindy Deurhing, longtime CI voice in the high plains. Bill Wilkie, partner in anti-scent "crimes."

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“Christ Glorified in the Court of Heaven” by Fra Angelico, 1428-30, Wikimedia Commons

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In memory of
CPT Bruce Hays
thank you Bruce

This candle was lit by Scott and Eric Hays-Strom

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In memory of
Ailene
my maid of honor

This candle was lit by Trudie

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In memory of
Steve
my son

This candle was lit by Trudie

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In memory of
Mary Daly

This candle was lit by Audrey

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I sing a song of the saints of God,
patient and brave and true,
who toiled and fought and lived and died
for the God they loved and knew.
And one was a doctor, and one was a queen,
and one was a shepherdess on the green;
they were all of them saints of God, and I mean,
God helping, to be one too.
-- from “I Sing a Song of the Saints of God” by Lesbia Scott, 1929

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In memory of: Joe Totten-Reid, Matthew Garrison, Mitch Kincannon, Joe Bevins. Jimmy Schiavone.

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In memory of
Tyler Clementi

This candle was lit by Kittredge Cherry

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In memory of Winston

This candle was lit by Kittredge Cherry

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‘Tis the ancestor’s breath when the fire’s voice is heard.
‘Tis the ancestor’s breath in the voice of the waters.
Those who have died have never, never left.
The dead are not under the earth
They are in the rustling trees
They are in the groaning woods
They are in the crying grass,
they are in the moaning rocks
The dead are not under the earth.
-- From “Breaths,” sung by Sweet Honey in the Rock, based on a poem by Birago Diop

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In memory of
Dr. Ken Blair
(1954-11/1/2010) Pioneering AIDS doctor in Austin, Texas

This candle was lit anonymously

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To acknowledge our ancestors means
we are aware that we did not make 
ourselves,that the line stretches
all the way back, perhaps, to God; or
to Gods. We remember them because it 
is an easy thing to forget: that we
are not the first to suffer, rebel,
fight, love and die. The grace with
which we embrace life, in spite of 
the pain, the sorrow, is always a
measure of what has gone before.
-- from “In These Dissenting Times” by Alice Walker

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In memory of: Richard O'Dell. Rev. Jim Dykes. Lannie Dykes. Rev. Bruce Hill. Dean Sandmire. Rev. Rick Weatherly. Rev. Austin Amerine. Rev. Floyd Oler. Michael Mank.

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If you look deeply into the palm of your hand, you will see your parents and all generations of your ancestors. All of them are alive in this moment. Each is present in your body. You are the continuation of each of these people.
-- Thich Nhat Hanh

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Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
--Hebrews 12:1

“Heaven” from “Ecce Homo” by Elisabeth Ohlson Wallin

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Jesus Christ himself as the cornerstone.
--Ephesians 2:19

Paul addressed this to those who had formerly been “aliens to the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenant of promise, having no hope and without God in the world” (2:12). These words were spoken to Christian converts at the time of their baptism.

Along with many other saints throughout history, we have been alienated from the church. The church has viewed us as strangers. We wondered if God’s promise included us. When we doubted, we felt hopeless and abandoned by God.

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near” (2:13). We are not aliens, but citizens of God’s commonwealth. We are not strangers, but we are the church. We are not without foundation, for we have the prophets, apostles, saints, and most centrally, Christ Jesus. And we share the common spiritual wealth of scripture.

 “Jesus loves us, this we know, for the Bible tells us so.” We are all saints, and this is our day.

For all of us saints, O God, we give you thanks! Alleluia!
--from “The Word is Out: Daily Reflections on the Bible for Lesbians and Gay Men” by Chris Glaser

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In memory of: Douglas DeCarlo. Thomas Michael DiFrancesco and the patients of C4.

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Anyone’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in humankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bells tolls; it tolls for thee.
--John Donne, 1624

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If the dead can come back to this earth and flit unseen around those they loved, I shall always be near you; in the gladdest days and in the darkest nights . . . always, always, and if there be a soft breeze upon your cheek, it shall be my breath, as the cool air fans your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by…. Do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for thee, 
for we shall meet again . . .
--letter from Sullivan Ballou, 1861

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In memory of: Jo and Tony Barreras; Lee and Ted Schuyler; my sister Noelle; our friend Charles Hosley; our former pastor Reid Christensen; and a fellow parishoner, Dick Pugh.

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Up through an empty house of stars,
Being what heart you are,
Up the inhuman steeps of space
As on a staircase go in grace,
Carrying the firelight on your face
Beyond the loneliest star.   
  -- from “Ballad of the White Horse” by G.K. Chesterton, 1911

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Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow;
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain;
I am the gentle Autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush.
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft star that shines at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there; I did not die.
-- Anonymous

You may leave a comment to suggest other names.

Related link:
LGBT Saints Series

(Photo from Wikimedia Commons)