See, I Am Making All Things New
A Sermon by The Reverend Shearon Sykes Williams for the funeral of Connie McAdam, June 5, 2022.
“See, I am making all things new.” Revelation 21: 2-7
It is such a blessing to gather today to celebrate Connie McAdam’s life and witness. Connie was a force in the absolute best sense of the word. She knew how to make things happen. Her leadership skills were truly remarkable and she was a trailblazer if there ever was one. It was no small feat to become the first woman to be the Arlington County Chief of Recreation and one of the first female county executives in the country. She knew how to create a vision and work with people to inspire them, challenge them and encourage them to realize a dream.
In our reading from the Revelation to John that Chris read so well, we get a beautiful vision of that day when God’s vision for the world will finally be realized.
“…God himself will be with them; he will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more, mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away…See I am making all things new…”.
We all long for that day, that day when everything will be made perfect. When everything will be brought together and all people will be united with one another and with God. We know that we are very far away from this beatific vision. There is so much division, discord, and violence in our society. But God calls us to never, ever give up on this world. God calls us to work for change and to be the change we want to see in the world. This vision of heaven is one that we must keep in our hearts and minds and in our spirits. It gives us hope and courage to see the world the way God sees the world, full of possibility and promise.
Connie had that vision. She had a deep and abiding faith that enabled her to effectuate change and make this world look a whole lot more like that perfect world that the Revelation to John talks about. In an article from the Arlington County Library Oral History project she said, “You have to believe what you’re talking about If you want other people to believe it too.” Her passion for her work was infectious. That God-given passion was what enabled her to integrate parks department programs during the 1960s. She had to stand up to a lot of pushback to do that, but she never gave up. She knew that God was making all things new. Her God-given passion was what enabled her to develop ground-breaking programs for Senior Adults which became models for other places all over the country. Connie could see where there was inequity and disparity and she did something about it, working in a complex environment with different organizations and groups of people to work for the common good. Connie was also a major player in developing and supporting the arts in Arlington. She knew that making the world more beautiful through the arts was also an important part of making all things new.
Connie was a very faithful, core member of Saint George’s. Until the last few years, she came to our 10:30 service every Sunday and was a member of our handbell choir. As they play today, we rejoice in knowing that Connie is with them in the communion of saints. Connie also brought her great leadership gifts to her ministry as Chair of our Buildings and Grounds Committee and always made sure that our facility was in good working order. We really appreciated everything Connie did to support our church community but most importantly we loved her for who she was. She brought so much energy, candor and kindness to all of her relationships. She loved Saint George’s and we loved her.
I feel very privileged to have been Connie’s priest. She was such a joy to be with. Over these last few years, as she got more infirmed, I enjoyed visiting her at home. She always appreciated conversation, communion and prayer. And she loved to tell me about her latest visits and phone calls from family members. As accomplished as she was, her family was still the center of her life. Although I never knew her husband Dick, I always appreciated hearing about the life they shared, their deep and abiding love for each other and the wonderful trips they enjoyed.
When Penny called on Good Friday to tell me that Connie was near death, I went over to administer last rites and it felt especially meaningful to do that on the day we commemorate Jesus’ death. I prayed for her and it was clear that she was very much at peace and ready to be with God in fullness. Just as Jesus was resurrected from death, Connie had a deep trust that she would be resurrected with him in eternal life.
So we give thanks today that we were blessed to love and be loved by Connie. She was a remarkable woman and a faithful servant of Christ and we rejoice that she is with God in fullness now. We give thanks for her witness and ask God to help us see the world with the hope that she had.
“See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them as their God; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.” And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.”