Bishop's last words to church: "Keep making Disciples"

BY JOHN A. LOVELACE
Special Correspondent

North Texas United Methodists said goodbye to their shepherd and servant leader, Bishop Rhymes H. Moncure, Jr., in a two-hour service of celebration of his life Saturday, Aug. 26, at First UMC, Richardson.

Two 80-voice choirs and panoply of speakers spurred the congregation into repeated applause, laughter and Amens. Two speakers based their remembrances on decades-long acquaintance with the Moncure family. Others centered their remarks primarily on their associations with Bishop Moncure during his two years in North Texas.

Bishop Gregory V. Palmer of Iowa captured the tone of the service at the top of his 35-minute sermon: "There's no spirit of heaviness here. I feel a spirit of joy!"Citing the Apostle Paul's letter to the church in Corinth, Bishop Palmer reminded the congregation that Christians are called to "spread the aroma of Christ throughout the world." The spirit was infectious.

Bishop Janice Riggle Huie of the Houston Area, Texas Annual Conference, and president of the United Methodist Council of Bishops said, "Rhymes Moncure had fun being a bishop. He could make any person he met or any group he was speaking to feel that they were the most important thing in the world."

She also said that Bishop Moncure had helped the Council of Bishops focus on the denominational task of making disciples of Jesus Christ. "We can pay him no greater tribute than to stay focused on that task."

Two other speakers confirmed Bishop Moncurexs dedication to the task. Rev. Stan Copeland, Lovers Lane UMC, Dallas, recalled their last conversation at the bishop's bedside. "What can we do to help?" Dr. Copeland asked. "Help take care of my family and keep making disciples," the bishop replied.

Dr. Copeland described Bishop Moncure as "the most joy-filled person I have ever known."

Rev. Pat Beghtel-Mahle, dean of the North Texas Conference cabinet and superintendent of the Dallas Northeast District, recalled the excitement of the conference delegation to the 2004 South Central Jurisdictional Conference upon learning that Bishop Moncure was being assigned to the Dallas Area.

Alongside his big smile and warm, embracing hugs, Rev. Beghtel-Mahle recalled his last words to associates before surgery: "Now you remember your task. Don't let anything get in the way." She added, as if in response, "We won't. Thank you, bishop."

The congregation applauded as Rev. Beghtel-Mahle announced that the chapel in the conferencexs new Ministry Center in Plano will be named The Rhymes H. Moncure, Jr. Bishopxs Chapel.

Both she and Bishop Alfred L. Norris, Bishop in Residence at Gammon Theological Seminary in Atlanta, alluded to Bishop Moncure's embodiment of servant leadership, particularly the washing and drying of candidates' feet as part of the service of ordination. He first did so during 2005 sessions, then repeated it in 2006 sessions. In tribute to that striking example of servant leadership, an empty chair on the Richardson church platform faced an empty foot stand. A bowl, pitcher and towel sat unused but "spoke" powerfully throughout the service.

Bishop Norris pointed out that the verbal emphasis on "servant leadership" can be placed on either word: SERvant or LEADERship. "Rhymes was both," he asserted. "SERVANT LEADER! He was on top of it in both areas, a preacher, prophet and priest."

In addition to Bishop Moncure's dedication to the task of making disciples and his example of servant leadership, he was remembered over and over for his warmth, humor, smile, firm handshake and, repeatedly, for his omnipresent bow tie.

Bow tie theology
One speaker, Dr. Cody Collier, superintendent of the Missouri Conferencexs Heartland District, even offered a "bow tie theology," explaining that the ties remind the wearer and the viewer of ties to God's goodness and God's justice. Dr. Collier said Bishop Moncure "had been washing feet long before he came to Texas." Most of Bishop Moncure's ministry was spent in Missouri, including serving a predominantly white church in Columbia, MO, which Bishop Huie called "an act of courage."

Wedding ceremony
None who spoke knew the Moncures better than Bishop Willie J. Ellis, Jr., who heads the Mid-Western District of the Philadelphia Assemblies of Full Gospel Church. He conducted the Moncures' wedding ceremony some 39 years ago and assented when the young Rhymes Moncure said he felt called to The United Methodist Church. "I told him, "Rhymes, you had better go where God calls you!."

SMU President Dr. Gerald Turner recalled how Bishop Moncure "worked the room" during meetings of the university's 40-member board of trustees. The bishop supported Perkins School of Theology, the president said, and liked to say, jokingly, that he was sorry he wasn't a Perkins graduate but would add, "I'd be a better person, and Perkins would be a better school." The congregation joined President Turner in rousing laughter.

Changing atmosphere
Iowa's Bishop Palmer, who will become Council of Bishops president next spring, expanded on the "spirit of joy" he said he felt in the room by preaching on "changing the atmosphere" - bringing the sweet aroma of Christ into a world filled with "pungent odors" like Iraq and Darfur.

"Rhymes changed the atmosphere wherever he was," Bishop Palmer said. "He knew how blessed he was and he knew the unending blessing of God. Bow ties are about changing the atmosphere, bringing beauty sometimes into ugly places."

In addition to varied but often interweaving messages, the service included four congregational hymns. The host church choir sang 25 minutes of "gathering music" before the formal service began. As if to signal one theme of the service's goodbye-saying, the choir's first number was "My shepherd will provide my need."

The resplendently –robed choir from St. Luke "Community" UMC, Dallas, sang two anthems. With piano, organ, drums and electronic guitar accompaniment, they sang "Total Praise" featuring the reminder that "you are the strength of my life" and "O Happy Day!" The latter provoked the congregation into standing, clapping rhythmically and applauding at the end.

Scriptures for the service were Matthew 5:13- 16 and II Corinthians 2:2- 17. NTC Lay Leader Billy Ratcliff read the former; Bishop Robert C. Schnase of Missouri, president of the South Central Jurisdiction College of Bishops, read the latter.

Private burial services at Restland Cemetery preceded the memorial celebration. A reception at First UMC, Richardson, followed the service.