Notes from the bulletin board above Ron's study desk:

      Religion is that human activity through which men and women seek to understand and relate themselves to the deepest truth they can conceive.

      If, whether. In formal use, 'if ' introduces on condition only; 'whether' introduces alternate conditions, usually with 'or not' expressed or implied: " 'If we try hard, we can do the work." "We were wondering 'whether' we could do the work."

      No longer can we be satisfied with a life where the heart has its reasons, which reason cannot know. Our hearts must know the world of reason, and reason must be guided by an informed heart. (Probably Bruno Bettelheim. Cited by W.L. Webb in art on B.B. in MGW, 3/25/90, p. 29)

      Libby Purves, in HOLY SMOKE: her mother (Irish catholic): "God put us here on earth to help others. What he put the others here for, God only knows." (p. 194)

      In the morning sow your seed, and at evening do not let your hands be idle; for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good. Eccles. 11:6 NRSV

      May the Word read and Word spoken lead us to him who is the Word of Life, even Jesus Christ.

      And finally, on 8/24/00 when asked by the hospice nurse, "What was your occupation?" Dad answered, "I was a teacher."

      Ronald W. Graham, 81, of the 6100 block of Terrace Drive, Johnston, died of cancer Sunday at Mercy Hospice in Johnston.

      The body was cremated, and memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Covenant Christian Church.

      The Rev. Graham was born in Kempsey, Australia, and had lived in Clearfield, Des Moines and Lexington, Ky., before moving to Johnston. He was a parish minister in Australia, had served in churches in Clearfield and Des Moines, was a professor of New Testament at the Divinity School at Drake University and at Lexington Theological Seminary in Lexington, Ky., and was Lexington's professor emeritus of New Testament before retiring.

      Following his retirement he was involved in ecumenical work, including teaching at Bambour Seminary in Nigeria and serving as a delegate to the World Council of Churches in Canberra, Australia, and Harare, Zimbabwe. He was a member of the Iowa Governor's Council on Elder Affairs.

      He is survived by his wife, Gwen; two daughters, Beth Smith of Iowa City and Jan Stump of West Des Moines; a son, Kerry of Des Moines; a sister, Gwen Cameron of Port Macquarie, Australia; and five grandchildren.

      Memorial contributions may be made to Covenant Christian Church or Lexington Theological Seminary. Cremation Society of Iowa is handling arrangements.

      We chose the first hymn, because the last time Ron was in hospital, 2 very nice young people came and asked if he would like them to sing something for him. He chose this hymn, and though not really familiar with it, sang it, harmonising. The boy thought he had not done the best so they sang it again. It was lovely, and they were so nice.

      We thought the words represented his philosophy. Tom mentioned this when he announced the hymn. Beth requested "Abide with me". When she was about 6 and Ron was at Ann St., she remembered going to the evening service with him, and they always sang this at the end of the service.

Dear Friends,

      For all the saints.

      Last week, Central Christian lost two persons who shaped the character and ministry of this congregation. Many of you were present in the sanctuary on Thursday, the 31st of August, when we celebrated the life and ministry of M. Glynn Burke, Central's Senior Minister Emeritus. For twenty-five years, Glynn gave tireless, visionary leadership to this congregation.

      On Saturday, September 2, I was honored to participate in the memorial service for Dr. Ronald Graham held at the Covenant Christian Church in Des Moines, Iowa.

      Ron had been Professor of New Testament at Lexington Theological Seminary from 1968 to 1987. During that time, he was a member of this congregation and served Central as Chair of the Elders and Chair of the Administrative Board.

      I came to Lexington to begin my graduate studies in January of 1969. In the fall of that year, I began a two and a half year tenure as a student associate at Central, arriving on Leslie Smith's last Sunday. I was present when the congregation voted to call Glynn Burke, and it was my privilege to watch the beginning of his ministry with this congregation. I believe that it was also in the fall of 1969 that I took my first course from Ron Graham. During my seminary experience, no one had a greater influence on my thinking about the church and its ministry than Glynn Burke and Ron Graham.

      Ron and Glynn were very different people. Glynn--outgoing, assertive, quick to challenge an idea or perspective that he thought was less than adequate. I am still challenged by Glynn's insistence that those who serve the church should be content with nothing less than their best effort.

      Ron--quiet, soft-spoken, willing to begin with what you gave him and then to ask you to think some more. When the hospice nurse, on the day before he died, asked Ron what had been his occupation, he replied in characteristic fashion, "I was a teacher." That he was. The most remarkable teacher I ever had.

      The deaths of Ron Graham and Glynn Burke within a day of each other have been a real, personal loss for me. Both were mentors. Both were friends. Both were servants of Jesus Christ and leaders of the church.

Glad to be your pastor, Central.

The Rev. Dr. Michael Mooty.