Rich – Church of the Servant King

Upson Downs: March Madness?

Shall I start with an apology or a cliche? Or shall I just start on the daunting task of updating you all on our latest goings-on? I choose the latter, so here goes: Already in the month of March (!!), we are shooting for full coronavirus vaccinations among our adults. I hope you get the point! As Covid-19 cases abate, we are opening up to more visitors. It was a real joy to welcome a Peruvian family this past Thursday, who stopped by because our out front presence attracted their interest; we shared a meal and God’s word with our new acquaintances. As our Thursday zoom Bible study continued, we were relieved and thankful to see a brother from Myanmar. Things are getting worse there since the military coup, and danger seems to be escalating. Also, communications are being severed throughout the country, so contact with those in Myanmar is a real blessing.

The Jesus Centered Bible has been our focal point for 2021. It’s a helpful way of synthesizing the Bible and helps to turn our eyes upon Jesus, which is only appropriate-as Colossians 2:17 states, “He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.” Everything coheres in Him. Without Him, the world is truly incoherent, and the void is filled with a “striving after the wind.” We are also continuing our reading. Currently we are being edified by Os Guiness’ book The Call, and are reading a Bible companion guide.

We are busy and productive, seeking to equip ourselves and grow in the measure and stature of our Lord. We are looking forward to a leadership study through Hope International University, led by Jack McCorkel in partnership with our mentor, Gene Sonnenberg. We seek to be ever more thankful, prayerful, and accountable to one another. It’s also crucial to connect with our culture and challenge what we are facing with God’s eternal truths. It is our prayer that others might say of us, “See how they love one another,” validating the identity of Christ in our lives.

We are looking forward (finally!) to the wedding of Leslie and Jeremiah in April. They have been very patient in the disappointment and uncertainty. Leslie will be sorely missed, but we are full of thanks, anticipating much fruit in the Kingdom and we are even glad for the delay in some ways, as it seems to have had some unforeseen benefits.

Rich is still deeply missed here, but continues to be integral to life together in so many ways. His memories, his teachings, his leadership and love linger among us. His library enriches us and his scholarship resonates in myriad ways. We were uniquely gifted by his presence.

As for me, I am recuperating here in this lovely space known as the B & B. It was designed and constructed by loving hands. Here it stands as a beautiful reminder of what love in action looks like. It’s named the Bird and the Baby in honor of Rich, and in honor of that great saint, C.S. Lewis, and his favorite pub in England. It is the perfect spot to heal after hip replacement. It’s amazing how the human body heals, and how human creativity and gifted hands of doctors are used in the process. Thanks be to God, the ultimate healer and Creator in whose image we have been made.
My physical therapist is on her way, so I will close, knowing I have missed telling you about so much of the joyful and abundant life with which God has graciously blessed us.

Keep us in your prayers, and thank you so much for your interest in our lives here at Church of the Servant-King.
Grace and peace to you all,

Regan

Strength for today, bright hope for tomorrow

Before Rich and I married in 1973, my friends asked me, “Why Rich?” My answer was, “There’s no one else like Rich.” And while each individual is truly unique, Rich was even more so. I think all who were blessed to know him would agree.

Rich was born in Syracuse, New York on August 12, 1946. It’s said that his father ran around the streets near the hospital joyfully announcing his birth. Rich has two older sisters who adored him. He had the gift of a rich Christian heritage and enjoyed a rare closeness with his family. Part of the Read family legacy is enduring commitment; his parents were married for over seventy years. Another legacy is laughter, deep, resounding, joyful hilarity, and too many silly pranks to recount here.

Rich grew up bold and confident, bolstered by his family’s strong support and his own natural gifts and talents. One of his greatest talents was making friends. He developed friendships which have endured for decades. Faithful friends are hard to find; Rich had an abundance. There is really no mystery here; he had so many friends because he was a friend to so many.

We met in college when I was a freshman and he a second year senior. He always said that he managed to cram four years of education into five! One thing that I appreciated about him from the get-go was that he remained friends with all the girls he previously dated. I realized that there was something both unique and wonderful about this. I could look forward to being friends in the future, since Rich had three “vows,” – never get married, never be a pastor, and never have children.

Ironically, we were married over 46 years at the time of his death, he was a pastor for even longer, and we have three children, many “adopted” children, one granddaughter, and two more on the way! He was an amazing pastor/mentor, a remarkable husband, and an exemplary father. If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.

As I said, Rich had myriad gifts. He was a true visionary; he had an enviable grasp of the Scriptures along with the ability to teach others. Though he hated reading, it was truly a labor of love that he was such a committed student. His breadth of knowledge was impressive, and he maintained serious study habits even when in failing health. Another natural asset was his knack for connecting people. Friends have become friends, relationships formed, and connections maintained because of Rich, even though people might be unaware of his influence behind the scenes.

Ill health has been part of the Rich story for many years, especially in 2010 when he was afflicted with transverse myelitis, an “idiopathic” illness which rendered his previously strong legs weak and painful, and consigned him to a wheelchair for the remainder of his days. The pain only increased through the years, as did many other health problems, especially in the last couple of years. Through this trial, this local body of believers learned how to become caregivers. Rich had to learn to become a care receiver, transitions which were not easily made at times. During his frequent hospital stays, Rich was never left alone. This little “company of the committed” stepped up and tag teamed for many hours, days, weeks, and months. Friends and partners came to help, demonstrating true friendship. “Greater love hath no man…”

Even with his body failing in countless ways, wracked with constant pain and sleeplessness, Rich still managed to teach a young disciple to prepare him for baptism, teach about the nature and purpose of the Church, conduct ad hoc parenting sessions, and love and mentor pastors and friends. He still called the congregation on to greater faithfulness, and tried to maintain a sense of humor, albeit not always successfully. He still managed to remember special occasions and find ways to buy special gifts for others. He was extravagant in his generosity and in his larger than life persona. Few folks who knew Rich had not been treated to a special meal with him. If he could no longer go out, he made certain that others could share meals on his dime. Table fellowship was at the heart of Jesus’ ministry; Rich took this example to heart.

His teachings, exhortations, sayings, and life examples continue to instruct us in this congregation. He was fond of encouraging us with these words from one of his favorite hymns: “Strength for today, and bright hope for tomorrow, blessings all mine with 10,000 beside.” (Great Is Thy Faithfulness) This has gotten us through many a difficult struggle.

Fittingly, we were able to donate Rich’s corneas. It is nearly miraculous that there was anything salvageable from his bruised and battered body. During his lifetime, Rich had brought spiritual insight and vision to many of us who once were blind. He was able to give actual sight to someone through his death.

It would take too many more pages to capture the essence of this extraordinary man. He had wanted to come home from the hospital, but was unable to due to essential medications. When he died on January 30, 2020, one of our young men stated, “Rich got to leave the hospital.” Indeed he did. Hallelujah!

Regan Read

March 15, 2020