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I see dead people! No, I am not talking about the old movie, “The Sixth Sense” starring Bruce, Haley Joel Osment, Toni Collette, and others. I am talking about myself and people I have been privileged to know throughout my life. Often times they pop into my mind (and heart). Perhaps something I see or hear makes me think of them. Maybe some event or time of year brings them to mind. Some I see are from times long past.

Most of us often think of people from bygone days. Images of those loved ones who were family members, neighbors, co-workers, friends, teachers, or some other sometimes surprise us as they suddenly appear to our mind. Generally more than their countenance or name surface. Usually their name and countenance do not appear to our minds without some story about them accompanying the memory.

In many ways, you and I and all whom we have known are more than just human beings. We are stories. We have histories, gifts, foibles, and experiences. All of this adds up to stories. Lots of stories as we are complex beings who can be predictable as well as surprising.

Many of my stories are those of parishioners. The church calls them saints. Having followed Jesus and served Jesus as best they could, they leave behind a legacy of humanity and a legacy of faith. It seems when the humanity meshes with faith, some of the best stories are created. Many times we embellish those stories as time marches on. We embellish them because their meaning to us often increases over the years. 

I really don’t know how many parishioners I have been privileged to serve in four plus decades of ministry. The number is in the thousands, literally….no embellishing here as the West is a very transient place and my entire ministry has been in this region. So many people make a huge impact. 

In our culture there is so much to compete with involvement with the church. What should surprise us, perhaps, is not how few now are part of a church, but instead how many choose to be a part.  Many choose to go further and make the church a priority. Some spend many hours each week doing ministry of one kind or another for God and the church. Some are more occasional yet important. Some work is highly visible and receives many expressions of gratitude. Some work is rarely noticed and taken for granted.

You have heard in stories I have shared in classes, writings, and sermons of many from ghosts of church members past.  You will have to wait to be included as such a story after my time here is through. Rest assured, there have been and are so very many stories at University Lutheran/Lutheran Campus Ministry. You have also shared many stories of people from this community with me from times long past. 

Here is what I have noticed about such story telling. Yes, these are stories of the saints of the church. They are also stories of God at work in the church and in the world. They are stories of how God reaches out and relates to God’s people inside and outside the church. 

I do often see dead people. I see them alive and serving as witnesses long past their earthly life. Even decades later they can speak to me and touch me. No doubt you have experienced the same. They are what has often been called a “great cloud of witnesses.” Continue in your following, work at your serving, keep creating and expanding those stories. God will use those stories and you will then continue to serve and be an active witness long past your life on earth. What a great story for this Easter season.