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May 28, 2008
There was never any mistaking that voice, or the Bible raised high above her head, or the joy, passion and energy of her preaching – sometimes with such intensity that the perspiration would roll down her face and arms. Hers was the kind of soul-searing conviction that brings you right up out of your seat – it could also be the sweet, gentle story that soothed and comforted. There was that hearty, unmistakable laughter. And the way she said “Jesus.”
Rev. Elder Jeri Ann Harvey was many things to many people – Pastor, Healer, Friend, Sister, Lover, Mother, Elder. She defined “butch” for many in her generation. She broke down barriers of gender and race. She was the first woman pastor of MCC Los Angeles; she was the first Native American MCC Elder.
Her prayers were “effectual” in a deeply, Biblical way. In a more frail state, more recently at the General Conference in Calgary in 2005, 500 people crammed into an upper room, and even when you could not hear her weak voice that night, you could feel her presence, the healing presence of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit. To be around her was to expect miracles, and to receive them. Even her presence was healing.
I have so many memories of Jeri Ann – serving with her on the Board of Elders, hearing her preach and pray, laughing with her late at night after a long meeting.
Jeri Ann loved. She loved women and men; she loved kids and puppies. She loved the freedom and the power of the gospel of Jesus that she heard and shared on so many continents through MCC. She loved good music, religious music. She loved a good story. She loved our MCC churches, members and pastors, in small or larger churches. She prayed with them, wept with them. She traveled all over the world; she wore herself out sometimes. She gave until it hurt, many times.
The stories of her life and ministry became our history.
She confronted the Ku Klux Klan in Texas.
She battled for civil rights in California.
And like so many of us in the 80’s and 90’s she did too many funerals. She buried too many friends – from HIV/AIDS, from breast cancer, from all the things that take too many too soon.
Jeri Ann Harvey preached hope and she lived hope. She endured a lot; she suffered and struggled a lot. Through it all, she was a fighter and a lover and an icon for many.
She loved Rev. Elder Gillian Storey, and was full of romance and playful friendship, right up to the end. We thank you Gill, for loving and caring for Jeri Ann with joy and faithfulness.
May her memory be for a blessing. May perpetual light shine upon her. May all that she was and offered be remembered and bear much fruit, in Jesus’ name.
Grace and peace,
+Nancy
Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson
Moderator, Metropolitan Community Churches
Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson
Moderator, Metropolitan Community Churches
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