A Reflection

From one of the ‘Clowns’
Remembering Rev. Elder Jeri Ann Harvey

I remember the first time I laid eyes on Jeri Ann Harvey; she scared the hell out of me. And maybe as it turns out, that wasn’t such a bad thing considering all the baggage I was carrying in. This was a severe looking dyke, even with a paisley print shirt on, with this white swoop of hair feathered to the back of her head. But the deep lines on her face told me there was wisdom there too. It was my first time going to MCC Richmond, and as is too typical, I took a seat on the next to the back pew for quick escape if need be. I wanted to make a very inconspicuous presence and wasn’t even sure I’d even admit to being there. I was virtually bowled over by this little dynamo they called Rev. Gill Storey, but still there was this other woman and the rest of the folks I wasn’t so sure about. A few weeks past and I agreed to meet up with my new friend Donnie at church. This time it was different, Donnie introduced me to many of the people he knew and waited till after service to introduce me to Gill and Jeri Ann. The sermon was awesome, and communion was something sorely missing in my life. Witnessing the people waiting their turn for special prayers, with this “retired” Elder, was moving. She held each one with such love and compassion that I yearned to be in her arms. When we were introduced, and each spoke with such beckoning love, all fear melted away. I’ve been there ever since.
Time passed and I met George and he started attending church with me. He was smitten right away. Jeri was scheduled to preach one morning. As she made her way down to the front pew, she overheard some giggling and snickering from a few of the youngsters seated with their families. When she got up to preach, she spun around and said, “I’m not particularly offended by the rude comments I heard earlier, but I want to clear something up for you.” You could hear a pin drop on the carpet. She continued, “I am not a fat woman, I am a SUBSTANTIAL WOMAN…” Hallelujah! Amen sister! We rolled laughing as she retorted, “…and you’ll do best to remember that!” Touché in deed!
It was dress rehearsal night for MCCR’s Christmas Cantata ‘A Family Christmas.’ Jeri Ann was about to find out what I had just learned a few weeks earlier. She had been secretly scheduled to perform with the elusive (long retired, as far as anyone knew), legendary drag queen- Miss Joanna Powers, who’d won just about every drag title there was. Joanna burst into the Celebration Hall where Gill was standing next to Jeri sitting by the door, with a slight wave, never above the crown, she smartly spun around searching for a chair to put on her nails and left. “Who the hell was that?” Jeri quipped. “That was Miss Joanna, she’s in the show.” Gill answered. “Who?” Jeri exclaimed. “Love, you know David,” Gill asked. “Yes darlin’ I know David.” Gill continued, “And you know George, David’s partner?” “Yes Gill,” with some slight irritation Jeri responded. “Well that’s not George but Miss Joanna.” Gill explained. “NO! Well I’ll be…” Jeri mused. The two performers would astound the crowd as the drums began to boom-ba-boom to Miss Joanna strutting down the isle as the ‘Snow Princess,’ the crowd erupted in applause, everyone thought she was the queen. When Jeri Ann entered the room, draped in white tulle and tiara the crowd roared with excitement, she was ‘The Queen.’ It was a re-coming out for both divas and the beginning of an unbreakable bond. The four of us would spend hours on the speaker-phone sharing stories, they on their patio, we on our deck, all, with an inner presence of sharing.
When Gill answered the call to serve the fellowship as Elder for Region7, it was hard to let them go, but God’s purpose needed to be met. Gill and I promised each other not to say good-bye, but fair-well, as we held back the tears that day in the Celebration Hall.
Throngs of people made their way up to the salon where the ‘Healing Service’ was to take place in Calgary. The room soon filled to overflowing with over 500 wanting to be present. Jeri Ann, her voice now weaker offered a message of hope and prayers of healing to the gathering. The cadre of prayer ministers and catchers formed a line across the front of the room, flanking the frail Cherokee woman, who had pastored the ‘Mother Church’ decades before. A true American woman who was a daughter, descended from the ‘Trail of Tears,’ a mother to generations to come, a lover that shared the most intimate of feelings, a soldier who fought against injustice, a pastor, a healer and a friend, it seemed impossible that she would be the one. As I stepped forward toward the end of the long line that crowded the isle, the sea parted, and there sat the woman whose arms I longed to be in. Without me saying anything more than I want to pray for you too; she raised her weary hand to the cross hanging from my neck, pressed gently into the shirt that shrouded the eight inch scar and said, “I know why you’ve come. You need healing of the heart and also the soul. God has touched your heart because you’ve given yourself to God. Your journey is not done and Jesus will see you through…” Boom, the next thing I know I’m looking up at the chandelier, looking down at me. I get up and look into the eyes of this dear sage, tranquility surrounds me, and I am moved.
History is not often made where we are; sometimes we need to get up and go make it. A bus load of us rode up 95 to the National Cathedral one late October morning in 2005. We would join MCCers from all over the world to pay tribute and witness the installation of Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson to the helm of our movement. Miss Joanna Powers, the reigning Miss MCC Richmond- crowned by Rev. Gill Storey on Pride Sunday 2001, stepped off the bus wearing a new ensemble, Dianna would have been proud of this drag queen. As the Elders recessed that historic event, Rev. Elder Troy Perry- founder of MCC, nodded to Miss Joanna (she had previously serenaded him during our Silver Anniversary with ‘I Still Have A Dream’ by Marsha Stevens), and Rev. Elder Gill Storey grabbed her hand. “There’s my girl!” Jeri said as Joanna and I broke through the crowd. Joanna knelt down before our ailing friend and kissed her hand. The four of us embraced and wept. Somehow we knew that this was to be the last time we’d be together in this life.
Jim ‘Bubba’ Bruce called me to tell me of Jeri’s passing. I met him at church shortly after and he shared with me the conversation he’d had with Gill. The scene she described to him, of her day was surreal. The stormy morning would be different. Jeri’s face was peaceful for tea. Gill canceled her normal errands she’d scheduled that day to stay with Jeri. The two shared the moment and conversed for a time. Gill looked over; her beloved Jeri Ann had slipped the bonds of her earthly journey, into the arms of Eternity. Calm had filled the room as Gill collected herself; she peered out the window and beheld rainbows filled the sky. From every window the picture was the same. She stepped outside and there were rainbows upon rainbows. Jeri Ann had crossed the Rainbow Bridge; she was safely home. Well done dear friend- God’s faithful servant. I will never see rainbows the same again.
Gill: You were her sunshine as she was yours; you both remain the wind beneath our wings.

Forever Yours,
David R. Wilson
MCC Richmond