Remembering R* | No Longer One of the Longing Ones
My deepest vocation is to be a witness to the glimpses of God
I have been allowed to catch.
| Henri Nouwen |
Dear Friends and Supporters,
With heavy hearts, we share that our brother R* passed away just days ago. And yet, our hearts are filled with Joyful Hope– we have hope that He is with Christ, the One whom his soul loves most. R is no longer one of the Longing Ones.
R's love for the Lord gave direction and beauty to everything in his life. We are privileged to have received the gift of his story back in 2020 and the gift of his friendship and leadership up until the moment he passed.
The gift of this one man will never be fully known in our lifetimes, but we want to share even a small glimpse of his life in our community:
R joined Eden Invitation at our 2020 Retreat. He's attended nearly every retreat since then and been our saving grace when it came to the soundboard! We will miss his "roller-rink" style commentary during dance parties and karaoke.
He participated in Book Club and became an active member in our online community back when it was just a few people. Last year, he became a vital member of our moderator team– community volunteers who built the robust, layered online community we use now. As a moderator, he helped answer questions, organize communication channels, navigate community discussions, and helped it be an online community of mutual respect and belonging for hundreds of people around the world.
He joined us in prayer and discernment about our mission and community leading up to and after our Rooted & Free Retreat (2022); his sharing was a valued part of those weeks, shaping the future of Eden Invitation.
He became one of the first Co-Coordinators when we launched Hearth Groups in 2021. Tasked with accompanying community members across a wide region, his infectious joy and peaceful presence brought people together. He wanted to make a difference– to bring people to Christ, even if it was simply in a kind action, a listening ear, or funny meme. He befriended many others throughout the community and is remembered as a dear brother in Christ.
At the end of every Eden Invitation retreat, we renew our Baptismal Vows– our "I do's" for life in the Body of Christ, life as a gift for the world– followed by a brunch with toasts, pointing towards that Wedding Feast in Heaven we long for. R raised his voice in "I do" and his glass high with so many of us over the years. We will miss him dearly at our tables, but we trust that our God keeps His Promises. We look forward to the day when R will raise his glass with us again– forever from the Real Wedding Feast with Christ, who is the Fulfillment of all our longings.
Please join us in praying for the repose of his soul.
Pray for his family and friends as we mourn this loss and celebrate his life.
Pray for our Staff, Relational Support Team, Pastoral Team, and broader Eden Invitation community
as we uphold this space for striving LGBTQ+ disciples that R worked so hard to build with us.
*As he didn't directly share his involvement in our community with his wider circles during his life, we are maintaining his confidentiality.
