In Memoriam: Canon John Erb
see: Canon John Erb, 1932-2005
Shock! It's the only word I can use to describe my feelings now just moments after reading on the national site about "The Erb's" death.
He was known as the bathroom builder as most projects he helped secure thought the love of his life, The Anglican Foundation, were in fact bathrooms in churches. One may think what a way to think of a man who has just past and devoted his life to Christ; if you knew him you would know his smile would be from ear to ear and his manner just as jolly. What a great man we have lost. He is indeed a saint.
I met him once and that once marked me. I was coming up the stairs at a hotel in Gander, for a Provincial Council meeting, and he was coming down. I inqusically said "John?" and he came to life, "Oh, yes?" "Douglas Painter from the Lower North Shore..." Well he just beamed and said what a joy, "...I was hoping to meet you!" He went on at great length asking about our fishery situation and the parish where he had helped St. Paul's Rectory get a new roof and basement insulation. His enthusiasm and joy and love for me, this man he had only known of, was overwhelming. When I imagine saints this is a man I think of.
Sherry just came in and I told her, she reminded me that she took the picture of the Dean and "the Erb" as he liked to be called, in Gander that evening in a dedication of the chandeliers in the cathedral (It was also that night, after the opening service of Provincial Council, when the Archbishop of the Province of Canada, A. Bruce Stavert was elected).
The Anglican Church of Canada was blest with his presence and his love. Now we must continue his work to build up our church and not tear it down.
His attitude is best summed up in what the Online Journal reported he said in November;
""The task of the church is to wake up, sing up, preach up, pray up, stay up, pay up, never give up, let up, back up, or shut up, until the cause of Christ in this world is built up,""
Let Light Perpetual Shine Upon John, O Lord,
May He Rest In Peace and Rise in Glory.
AMEN.
Shock! It's the only word I can use to describe my feelings now just moments after reading on the national site about "The Erb's" death.
He was known as the bathroom builder as most projects he helped secure thought the love of his life, The Anglican Foundation, were in fact bathrooms in churches. One may think what a way to think of a man who has just past and devoted his life to Christ; if you knew him you would know his smile would be from ear to ear and his manner just as jolly. What a great man we have lost. He is indeed a saint.
I met him once and that once marked me. I was coming up the stairs at a hotel in Gander, for a Provincial Council meeting, and he was coming down. I inqusically said "John?" and he came to life, "Oh, yes?" "Douglas Painter from the Lower North Shore..." Well he just beamed and said what a joy, "...I was hoping to meet you!" He went on at great length asking about our fishery situation and the parish where he had helped St. Paul's Rectory get a new roof and basement insulation. His enthusiasm and joy and love for me, this man he had only known of, was overwhelming. When I imagine saints this is a man I think of.
Sherry just came in and I told her, she reminded me that she took the picture of the Dean and "the Erb" as he liked to be called, in Gander that evening in a dedication of the chandeliers in the cathedral (It was also that night, after the opening service of Provincial Council, when the Archbishop of the Province of Canada, A. Bruce Stavert was elected).
The Anglican Church of Canada was blest with his presence and his love. Now we must continue his work to build up our church and not tear it down.
His attitude is best summed up in what the Online Journal reported he said in November;
""The task of the church is to wake up, sing up, preach up, pray up, stay up, pay up, never give up, let up, back up, or shut up, until the cause of Christ in this world is built up,""
Let Light Perpetual Shine Upon John, O Lord,
May He Rest In Peace and Rise in Glory.
AMEN.
1 Comments:
Dear Douglas,
I am crushed!!! I didn't know that you knew John Erb! He has been an old and dear friend to the Johnson family for years and was Derek's mom and dad's rector at St. Michael and all Angels. He helped us through so many difficult times . The death of both of Derek's parents 4 months apart and helped get the ball rolling for our own marriage. I'm with you ...what a huge loss not only to his family and friends but to humanity.
See you Sunday
Margaret.
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