Announcement
Celebration of Life
Jeri Ann Harvey
January 3, 1934-May 28, 2008
A memorial servce for Rev. Jeri Ann Harvey will be held at MCC Toronto on 13 September 2008. (Click Here for Details.)
Rev. Jeri Ann Harvey Fund
Courtesy MCC Richmond, we present the Rev. Jeri Ann Harvey Fund.
We have many ways to honor and give thanks for Rev. Harvey's extraordinary contributions to MCC. A very practical way is to help the woman who loved and cared for her: Rev. Elder Gillian Storey. Please consider a gift to the The Rev. Elder Jeri Ann Harvey Fund established through MCC Richmond.
Gill lovingly cared for Jeri while Jeri's pension met their basic financial needs. Though Jeri's income has stopped, Gill still bears the burden of expenses related to Jeri's memorial services and cremation. She needs our help.
Many pray for Gill to return to active ministry. Right now, her need is to pay these expenses and provide for her own well-being.
For the next month—
through 31 July 2008—MCC Richmond is accepting contributions from churches for a fund in Jeri’s honor, and also to honor and thank Gill for her devotion. Please consider making a contribution to this limited-time fund through your local church which will then forward your gift to MCC Richmond.
Please don’t delay; the funds are needed now.
Any questions about this fund may be directed to Rev. Dr. Robin H. Gorsline, Pastor, MCC Richmond, at
RevRobinG@MCCRichmond.org.
Send Cards & Letters
If you would like to send cards or letters to Jeri Ann's partner, Gill Storey, or Jeri Ann's grandsons Evan and Zachary, please send them to:
Gill Storey
c/o MCC Moderator's Office
3293 Fruitville Rd. #105
Sarasota, FL 34237
or Fax: 941-847-0867
17 comments
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29 May 2008 at 1:18 pm
Rev. Michael Hydes
I first met Jeri Ann at MCC North London when Gill was my pastor there and they fist met one another. I was determined not to like her; after all she was taking our pastor away from us!
But you couldn’t help but like jeri Ann. More than that, you couldn’t help but love her.
The world is a darker place without her light. Just knowing that Jeri Ann was in the world made it a lighter place to be. Today, there is a little more light in the brightness of heaven.
Michael Hydes
29 May 2008 at 4:05 pm
Paula Schoenwether
Jeri Ann and I were friends. Our 7 year old inner children connected in a very playful way. One night we were shopping for deals at Big Lots with our other 7 year old friend, Ann Vassilaros. When our spouses found out, they were scared. Very scared, because we had no adult supervision!
I loved her laugh, her love for life, her exuberance when she saw me and I loved sharing “Minkey” days with her. We were family to each other.
Jeri Ann was happy to see Nancy become Moderator but secretly she was happier that I became “First Lady.”
Gill: I mourn with you and celebrate Jeri Ann’s life with you. I can’t even imagine what you are going through. I wish I were there to comfort you and support you as you go through this dramatic life transition. Know I love you and you are in my thoughts.
I look forward to reading everyone’s comments because if you knew Jeri Ann you have a story to tell. She loved telling stories and I know she would appreciate all of the stories we can tell about her.
29 May 2008 at 4:08 pm
Melanie Martinez
I only had the privilege of meeting Rev. Jeri Ann a couple of times at conferences and, unfortunately, never had the opportunity to see her preach. I knew her mostly as Rev. Gill’s partner through my work as a Regional Assistant in 2004. But her reputation was widely celebrated and I’ve heard much about her preaching and healing presence.
Yet, it wasn’t until I took a few minutes…a few powerful minutes…to listen to the sermon “Send in the Clowns” that I realize just how much I’ve missed and the legacy Rev. Jeri Ann leaves us all. Frank Z. told me that, when she preached, it felt like she was speaking directly at you. Here, it’s 29 years after this sermon was originally given, and that is still so true. Even on a recording, she pulls you in.
Thank you, Rev. Jeri Ann, for this light that continues to shine.
29 May 2008 at 9:37 pm
Doris Turbeville
I really do not know where to begin – I can’t believe this day is here. Jeri was a terrific friend for a long time. I was a member of the Houston congregation when she became our pastor. What a blessing. When she came to Houston she did not even have a mattress to sleep on – so my partner and I provided that. The entire congregation embraced this wonderful woman. We went to General Conference – we brought her mother and surprised her. She was blown away. We had the Ku Klux Klan in Houston – she brought us together and led us through it. She led our small congregation to bigger things through her strenght in the power of Jesus. We were devasted when she left us to go to L.A. so soon after coming, but knew that is where she belonged. She came back often. She had such a such a powerful influence on our congregation and on her special friends in Houston that we were never the same. God has his hands around Jeri now. I do not know Rev. Gill but she must be an amazing person since Jeri chose her. Jeri we will see you in that wonderful place…..
29 May 2008 at 10:28 pm
Carol Peterson
Your light was brilliant reflecting the wonders of God. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to know you. Thank you for everything Jeri Ann. You remain in our hearts and prayers. Blessings always. Carol Peterson
29 May 2008 at 10:57 pm
Caroline & Anne Cook-Rose
Gill,
Anne and I have thought about you and Jeri Ann so much and miss your presence in Richmond as our friends . I remember when we went to Jeri Ann’s healing service in Baltimore. It almost seemed to rain God’s healing tears as people went up one after the other to get healed. There was healing going on that day! I also remember Jeri Ann’s great sense of humor when we had the Family Christmas show at MCC Richmond and she rode down the aisle in her scooter as the snow queen. I think one of the most touching things to me that I remember about her is when she talked with me honestly about a personal matter and made me see my way out of the darkness and the reality of the situation. I will never forget that very moment which has changed my life in so many ways for the better. She was a wonderful, loving and supportive person and her faith always made me know that as a gay Christian I was loved by God and you were part of that picture. You and Jeri Ann together showed us the way and we will miss Jeri, Gill very much. Although I know that Jeri Ann is up in heaven debating with Jerry Falwell and winning the debate, we miss her! You are in our prayers Gill and we just thank you for sharing Jeri Ann with us!
God bless,
Caroline & Anne Cook-Rose
30 May 2008 at 1:35 pm
Diane Paulaskas
Oh what a bright light shines in heaven today. I just listed to the recording and again felt the presence of Jeri Ann. I will always treasure the time she spent at my house along with Carolyn Mobley, in Atlanta. Although I never met Gill, my heart goes out to you along with prayers of confort.
Well done Jeri Ann, well done, it is finished on earth.
30 May 2008 at 7:15 pm
Nigel Utting & Gerry Wilmot
We last saw Jeri-Ann on the evening of Thursday 22 May. She had risen late, but sat on her special sofa and managed to devour a steak left over from the previous day’s bbq. Earlier in the week, her friends from the States (Mary & Eve, and Mary & Shyla) had spent a quality day with her, sitting on the porch/terrace, laughing and joking and sharing past memories. The following day’s bbq was missing Jeri-Ann, as her energy was depleted and she needed her bed in order to recouperate. We were so glad to have spent a number of hours and days with Jeri-Ann and Gill as part of our spring vacation. Gill and Jeri-Ann discovered Torrivieja (Alicante) some two years ago, and it was a total coincidence that both Gerry and I have been going to the area for some 10 years now. This has meant frequent and regular contact with both of them, and we just adored being in Jeri-Ann’s presence and feeling her eyes and emotions bore deeply into you. I know Jeri-Ann’s prayers have had a signicant impact on my last year of illnesses and I will sorely miss her input. The strength and power of this truly remarkable person will continue in the lives of those who came across her and God help all those who are now experiencing her truly liberated heavenly powers!!
It was a privilege to have known her and to witness the deep and devout love both Gill and her shared for each other. Gill has lost her best friend, and will need our prayers and support over the coming weeks and months. Profoundly missed…
30 May 2008 at 11:38 pm
Mark Gove "Evan"
I see all of the beauty and love, you all have offered. I read this and am amazed, as I always will, being the son of this incredible light! To my wicked step mom, As my mom used to say, I love you and thank you for bringing such happiness into my mother’s life. Thank you all!! Mark
5 June 2008 at 9:25 am
Rev Debbie Gaston and Elaine Gaston
We knew Gill and Jeri-Ann from North London and we were good friends with Gill when she and Jeri-Ann first got together. There are so many loving, funny stories of their courtship that we remember from our time together but probably most of all we remember that they both played an enormous part in encourging me forward in my ministry call.
Elaine and I will never forget sitting in a restaurant in London one late night near New Year’s Eve when the snow began to fall outside. There was only us four and one other couple in the restaurant, when I turned to Elaine, Gill and Jeri-Ann and admitted I knew God was calling me into ministry. Jeri-Ann just shouted ‘Halleluia, praise Jesus!’ Then she added, ‘What took you so long?’
We cleared Gill’s house as she prepared to move to Virginia and took them both to the airport where more amusing stories followed.
We last saw Jeri-Ann at the conference in Calgary 2005 and she still had the same energy and drive for God that she had always had. We had such a great time with her that conference and the memories of the last 12 years will always live on. Thank you Jeri-Ann for sharing such depths of Jesus with us and thank you Gill for sharing Jeri-Ann with us.
You, Jeri-Ann, were a true warrior for Christ.
9 June 2008 at 7:11 pm
Rev Kurt Krieger
Jeri Ann came to our church many times in the 80s and early in the 90s. We all loved her so much. She would come for the weekend to lead the Spiritual Renewals at our church in the fall. To kick things off, we always had an event to welcome her. One year we decided to hold a potluck in our new social hall. We had the pastor pick up Jeri Ann at the airport and to keep delaying her so we could plan a surprise. We had a couple of the hair stylists of our congregation who got a gray spray paint that we could put in our hair. So everyone who was there that night was invited to get their streak of gray hair so that we all could look more like Jeri Ann. You can imagine as she walked into our gathering that night and saw us all with her trademark hair streak. She busted out laughing as only Jeri Ann could. She knew just how much we all loved her by imitation being the sincerest form of flattery. I also remember her sermon about Jesus only borrowing the cave to put his body into, because he would only need it for 3 days! Hallelujah! Thanks, Jeri Ann.
12 June 2008 at 7:51 pm
Kay McClellan
I met Jeri in the seventies when she came to pastor MCC of the Resureccion in Houston. We bacame friends very soon. She was my pastor, friend, mintor, and Bro. There are too many memories of Jeri for me to share on here, but the 2 most mimories that stand out are: the sunday that she was preching and they passed around the plate and there was not enough money in it to pay the rent, Jeri marched down the asile and locked the front door and then said “no one will leave here til we have the rent money”. the plate was passed again and there was enough money to pay the rent for 3 months. That was the kind of preacher she was. The next mimory that stands out is when she was doing a spiritual renewal in Lubbock and she took time to fly to Houston and pray with my partner who was dieing with cancer. That is the kind of person she was. I will surely miss you Bro, but you will always be in my heart and mind. Til we meet again…………
14 June 2008 at 8:19 am
Talley Novotny
I’m so sad to read this recent news. Jeri Ann Harvey epitomized the change that MCC, under the leadership of Rev. Perry, was striving to bring about. I was familiar with her name for many years, and first heard her at Gen. Conference ‘87, before I actually had the opportunity to meet her as a fellow member of my home church, Church of the Trinity, Sarasota, FL, from 2002 to 2007. Specifically, I recall a sermon she preached during that time frame, probably around 2004, which had a profound impact on my life. I don’t recall the name of the sermon, but the theme was on the wedding in Cana (John 2), when Jesus performed his first miracle and changed the water into wine. At the time, Jesus was not ready to commence his ministry, and expressed this to his mother, but to please her and to save embarrassment and discomfort for his hosts, he complied and changed ordinary water into the finest wine available — the best for last! The moral of this story, as Jeri Ann so succinctly and so powerfully put it, is, “if it’s important to you, it’s important to God!” Those few words have changed my life! They opened a channel of communication with God that has blessed me and comforted me when there was nowhere else to turn.
Thank you, Jeri Ann! I will always be grateful for your gift of that realization!
23 June 2008 at 8:50 am
Meredith Smith
Jeri Ann, you touched my father’s heart and soul……..he never forgot you. He was a Disciples of Christ minister and went with me to MCC LA in the late 70’s or early 80’s. He thought you were absolutely terrific; I bought a tape for him. I loved you, too. God’s blessing and loveing you both now.
8 July 2008 at 8:55 pm
Marsha Stevens-Pino
Hey, Gill, I so hope you’re reading these and getting pleasure from them. We miss you terribly. My arms ache to just hold you close for a minute. Like so many people, I have endless stories of Jeri Ann. Of course, she said she would mentor my ministry when I was just starting out in 1985. But only if I had a “tent-making” ministry to back me up – she did not want me to be fleecing the flock! I have always been grateful that I finished my nursing license back then, so that I could be sure I was in ministry for the love of it and not for the need of the income.
. It seemed like we were part of one another’s lives in so many ways. When Cindy and I visited Jerusalem a few weeks ago, we stopped by the Eastern Gate and thought of all the fun we’re going to have there someday. I thought of Jeri Ann when I sang my song there, since it was one of her faves.
We fell in love with you Gill, even before we fell in love with you-and-Jeri-Ann-the-couple. But I was always happy you let me continue to flirt with Jeri Ann
I think you know that the last healing service where Jeri Ann preached my daughter and her husband went forward for prayer. After 10 years of marriage and many efforts, they had been unable to conceive and had become foster parents. At the healing service at Calgary they decided to go forward for prayer one last time after Jeri Ann’s service. Rev. Delores Berry prayed over them…and they conceived that night. (I still wonder if they are the only straight couple ever to get pregnant while at an MCC conference!) While my daughter was carrying her firstborn, the doctors told her they had reason to believe the baby had Down’s Syndrome. My daughter asked Jeri Ann to pray, but said, “Mom, don’t ask them to pray that she doesn’t have Down’s, because we already love her whoever she is. Just have Jeri Ann tell God that this is all I can handle, though.” Jeri Ann prayed and told me she felt in the Spirit that the doctors were wrong.
Little Joanie is over 2 years old now, in perfect health as Jeri Ann thought, and is expecting a baby sister, Hannah, on Sept 15th. The date is so close to Jeri Ann’s celebratory service that I feel I can’t be across the country just when my granddaughter is due. I’ll be sending you the money I would have spent on the ticket to be there. I hope you can feel my joy at being able to help out even that little bit – and I hope you feel the love and support that come behind the gift.
Prayers and Misses, Marsha
4 August 2008 at 6:48 pm
LIsa Babel
You were a blessing from God to us Jerri Ann.
It was a pleasure and my good fortune to know you.
Heaven has it’s gates wide open for you.
save a place for me.
Agape,
Lisa
5 August 2008 at 10:20 pm
Rev. Candy Holmes
Though JeriAnn had been ill for some time, I catch myself not really believing she has bid us farewell for just a bit. Jeri was many things to many and to me. A spirit like hers is rare and priceless. I am blessed to call her my friend and mentor. I, like others have so many stories I dare not start. But I will say we have laughed and giggled until our sides would hurt. I would feel badly sometimes because it would invariably start her to coughing. But once the coughing subsided, we would start up again. And just as meaningful we would cry or fuss together over a loss or care. What I love so about JeriAnn is she would meet you right where you were. So I fully expect that JeriAnn will find ways to meet us still.
My prayers are with you Gill. I know while Jeri’s passing was going to come at some point, it is still not easy when it does. Her presence filled time and space.
Saying I will miss her is beyond an understatement. So I choose to say, I will remember Jeri as a love-filled beacon that shone brighter than the Noonday sun. And just as the sun rises everyday, she will always shine brightly in my heart.