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Ensuring a Permanent Legacy

Ensuring a Permanent Legacy

Susan Sullivan lived her life as a bright flame and lit the way for others even while facing the struggles and hardships of cancer. She was only 50 when she died, two days before her son, Trey, was confirmed into this congregation.

“Susan was the most confident, positive person I’ve ever known,” said her husband, Joey. “She was fiercely independent. Her motto was: It is what you make of it. She was good at everything she did and refused to be negative. She wasn’t going to let cancer get in the way of her life.”

When Joey was asked about Buncombe Street, he said, “Two things: The Joy Class and Grover. The Joy Class is an inspiration and has been incredibly giving to us. And Grover was there for us through the entire 12 years of Susan’s illness. He and Susan had coffee every other Friday for years. I think he sent a card every day for the past five years. Seriously, we have stacks of cards with smiley faces all over them.”

Another meaningful relationship was with Rev. Jerry Temple. “On the day of the second surgery, Rev. Temple came. It was his first day at Buncombe Street and he said, ‘I don’t know y’all. I’m the new guy.’ We connected immediately. It seemed full circle when Trey was able to serve as acolyte for Jerry’s final service in June.”

Because of that deep connection to Buncombe Street, the Sullivans requested that all memorials be directed to the church’s Congregational Care Ministry. Even better, the memorials will be invested in the Hilton Congregational Care Fund of the Buncombe Street UMC Endowment Fund.

The Endowment Fund is a permanent fund established so that the Christian legacy and values of this congregation can continue to be and to make Disciples of Christ for generations to come. To date, $3,190 has been given in memory of Susan and in honor of her dedication to this church.

When Trey was confirmed in April, this congregation welcomed all the confirmands and pledged:

We give thanks for all that God has already given you and we welcome you in Christian love.

As members together with you in the body of Christ and in this congregation of The United Methodist Church, we renew our covenant faithfully to participate in the ministries of the Church by our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.

These gifts to the Endowment in memory of Susan Sullivan are a visible witness to that covenant to participate in the ministries of the church and to ensure that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.

The Endowment Fund is available to receive gifts of any amount in memory or in honor of someone special to you. To God be the glory.

To learn more, contact the church here.