Churches: Email us your announcement letter to post online!

A letter from Rev. Robin Gorsline
Pastor of Metropolitan Community Church of Richmond
Richmond, Virginia (USA)

Dear Community in Faith

A giant has fallen.

There are few people in the almost 40 years of MCC who have had greater impact on our movement, and our world, than Rev. Elder Jeri Ann Harvey.

And in Richmond some folks know her in ways few others do. That is especially true of dear, beloved Bubba—for whom she was sister, and he brother, of choice (in addition to loved siblings by birth). I ache for him in losing the best friend he ever had.

And I ache for others who count Jeri Ann as the living presence of the Holy Spirit.

Even I, who knew her but a little, know she is not done touching us. I look forward to hearing about sightings, stories about being “knocked up side the head,” maybe even seeing her myself. Jeri operates (yes, present tense) by her own God-given rhythm.

And we see her everyday in others, people whose lives were changed in amazing ways. Bubba, certainly, but also our dear Rev. Jane Nelson and soon-to-be Rev. Martha Pittenger, and not just clergy and church staff, but also faithful people like Bruce Boardman, Gloria Rosenberg, Anne and Caroline Cook-Rose, Sam Hockaday, Carol Anderson, and George Floyd.

That’s what giants do. They plant seeds and nurture them and grow them and watch the new shoots grow up strong and grace-filled.

We pray for healing and peace for the great love of her life, Rev. Elder Gill Storey, our former pastor, friend, and leader.

So, Jeri has fallen, but even as we mourn, the changed people—her “clowns”—she leaves make the day bright and life filled with joy.

Thank you, and bless you, Jeri.

Pastor Robin

P.S. If you don’t know Jeri, I encourage you to visit the website above and listen to her sermon from 1979, “Send in the Clowns.” Be prepared to be changed.

(replies welcome; write RevRobinG@MCCRichmond.org or call 804/353-9477)