Fr. Sam and Sandy Steere
True Friends

When I arrived at Church of the Holy Communion, one of the first people I met was then, the Rev. Deacon Sam Steere. In fact I learned very quickly of his close friendship with Jerry Schleicher. But I also recognized that they enjoyed pulling each other’s chain on occasion. I heard that one time they were both on one of those travel trips where they were out in the back woods. Two men were out hunting in the northern U.S. Suddenly Sam yelled and Jerry looked up to see a grizzly charging them. Sam started to frantically put on his tennis shoes and Jerry anxiously asked, "What are you doing? Don't you know you can't outrun a grizzly bear?" "I don't have to outrun a grizzly,” replied Sam. “I just have to outrun you!"

After coming to CHC, I also learned of Sam’s value as a Deacon in the parish. Frankly I don’t know what I would have done without him. In those early days, Philip Johnson (the other deacon) had moved to Colorado and it was only Sam and I. As you know, part of my call to CHC has involved working for the Diocese as Bishop. I am allowed so many Sundays out of the year to do my Episcopal work. And that of course requires all of the good clergy and staff with which we have been blessed. But at first, as I said, it was just the two of us. Well, I quickly realized that Sam, although an excellent preacher, dreaded the process of actually coming up with a sermon. What he crafts is always good, but it is excruciatingly painful for him.  After working with him so long, I can always tell where he’s at in the sermon making process. I have likened his sermon preparation to a mother in labor about to have a baby. There are stages with that horrific time of transition just before the sermon is birthed.  I remember on one occasion he was having a particularly difficult time coming up with his sermon. Finally he came up with something but was in the final stages. He had reached that grumpy point like the pregnant mother. So I saw him, hoping to provide a little encouragement, I mentioned that he must be going through the stage of transition about to birth that sermon. I reminded him of my ‘giving birth’ transition phase analogy. He looked at me with glazed eyes, obviously irritated with my suggestion and curtly blurted out, “I’m NOT in transition and I DON’T like that analogy.” His response proved my point.

 On a more serious note, I think what I have appreciated the most about Sam, and I know I speak for all of us, is his friendship. He has been a friend to me as a co-laborer in the Gospel. And I believe everyone has a sense that Sam is their friend. A British publication once offered a prize for the best definition of a friend. Among the thousands of answers received were the following:
 
"One who multiplies joys, divides grief, and whose honesty is inviolable."
"One who understands our silence."
"A volume of sympathy bound in cloth."
"A watch that beats true for all time and never runs down."

The winning definition read: "A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out." Sam is that kind of person. So is his beloved wife, dutiful worker as well in this parish, our dear Sandy. I know I speak for all of us when I thank Fr. Sam and Sandy for their friendship, their faithful service over two decades, and yes, Sam’s many wonderful sermons. And so, perhaps appropriately, since he was among the first that I met on this campus, I am the last to speak . . . and to pass along a gift that expresses our appreciation for Sam and Sandy.  So, dear friends in Christ, please receive this gift given in love from Church of the Holy Communion. May the Lord bless you.

Closing Prayer:

O God of Love, we yield thee thanks for whatsoever thou hast given us richly to enjoy, for health and vigor, for the love and care of home, for every good gift of happiness and strength, and for all our true friends, especially Fr. Sam and Sandy. We praise thee for all thy servants, such as Sam and Sandy, who by their example and encouragement have helped us on our way, and for every vision of thyself which thou hast ever given us through these loving conduits of grace, Sam and Sandy. Bless them on their way. Take them to greater fields of service and deeper joy of fulfilling thy will. And we humbly beseech thee that all of their good works begun and continued in thee, may be ended in and for thy Glory. Amen.