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August 25, 2021

Monday Men

19 Comments/ 60/ 0

Every church has them.

They may not be called Monday Men but they are surely there.

These are the guys who show up to do little jobs around the church.

Need lightbulbs replaced? They are there.

Need a door hinge fixed? They show up.

Need a wall painted and refreshed from scuff marks? Call on the Monday Men.

I love Monday Men.

When I worked at Epworth United Methodist Church in Concord, NC I had the pleasure of knowing two very special Monday Men. Jimmy Stewart ( yep) and Dick Kerns.

Jimmy and Dick would almost always stop by my office for a chat and maybe a piece of candy from my candy dish while they were waiting for glue to dry or in between little tasks. I wish I had a picture of them sitting in my office but I have a picture in my mind for sure.

They were fun and always regaled me with stories that made me smile and laugh. They were a big part of my Monday and always made going back to work on Monday morning something to look forward to.

Jimmy passed away in 2011 and I remember so clearly when I found out. We were on a little get away in Wilmington and a friend from the church called to tell me. The day was hard to get through because Jimmy was one of those really special guys. He gave me a little flashlight one time that I still have and told me that I would always carry the light with me if I had that little flashlight. I may have forgotten a lot of things over the years but I never forgot Jimmy. I wrote about him here.

This morning I found out that my Monday Man Dick passed away early this morning and I must admit my light went out for a little bit. While I know that both Jimmy and Dick are no longer trapped in physical bodies that fail them and are in a much better place it still makes me sad.

I think it is okay to be sad, don’t you? A part of my heart will always be with the people of Epworth UMC and those that supported me and loved me. So many of them have passed and it is just reality that I am getting older.

How grateful I am for the Monday Men and for the chance to get to know them. Rest In Peace, Dick. You will be missed.

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19 Comments

Leave a comment
  1. Susi
    August 25, 2021 at 07:33 am

    Sending love your way.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      August 25, 2021 at 02:27 pm

      Thanks!

      Reply
  2. Virginia Pillsbury
    August 25, 2021 at 07:34 am

    What a great tribute! And yes, every church has those special people!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      August 25, 2021 at 02:27 pm

      They are the backbone, aren’t they? I loved my Monday Men.

      Reply
  3. Sandy Wall
    August 25, 2021 at 07:41 am

    Thank you so much for honoring my Dad! My sister and I have been cleaning out his room and he sure packed a lot of living in a small space (aka pack rat)! While going through his sketchbooks and photos we were reminded of his many talents and interests. It was such a blessing that he was able to do his artwork up until two weeks ago, even though his eyesight was failing.

    Every church needs Monday Men! I look around Epworth and remember things that Dad and Jimmy fixed!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      August 25, 2021 at 02:28 pm

      You are very welcome. He was important to so many people and I am so glad he was able to be creative for so long. He was a very interesting man and will be missed by many. Thinking of you.

      Reply
  4. jena c. henry
    August 25, 2021 at 08:14 am

    Thank you for shining a light on the Monday Men (and Monday Women, too!) lovely thoughts

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      August 25, 2021 at 02:28 pm

      Thanks, it is my pleasure to highlight some of these wonderful people.

      Reply
  5. Mama's Empty Nest
    August 25, 2021 at 09:16 am

    We have some great Monday Men at our church too and we are so thankful for them. I agree it is certainly okay to be sad when those who’ve positively impacted our lives pass from this earth to heaven. Those Monday Men have special jobs to do there too.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      August 25, 2021 at 02:29 pm

      Monday men are the BEST!

      Reply
  6. Shirley Matthews Dunn
    August 25, 2021 at 11:26 am

    Monday Men are some of God’s Earthly Angels for sure. We also had one we lost a few months ago. He was a very special person. So sorry for your lost. Sending hugs.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      August 25, 2021 at 02:29 pm

      Amen. Thank you for your sweet thoughts.

      Reply
  7. dawnkinster
    August 25, 2021 at 11:49 am

    I started to read this on my phone this morning, but stopped as soon as I read the words “show up and do little jobs around the church.” I had to stop because I knew I was going to start crying, and I had an appointment to get to. I didn’t want to have to explain red eyes. But I’m home now, and having read it, sure enough I’m crying. For the loss of your Monday men, and for my dad, who was a Monday man himself. When we got down to Alabama the day after he was killed we went straight to the church, where the minister showed us, among other things, the railings he had just installed at the front door to help folks get up the two steps into the sanctuary. Seems he had noticed a woman struggling to get into church the week before. So he just built a little railing. “Look how satin smooth it is,” said the minister. Lots of coats of varnish, sanding between each one. Your dad never did a half job on anything. We cried then, touching that little bit of smooth pine. I cried today remembering. Thank you for honoring your Monday men and all the Monday men in all the churches across the country. I’m very sorry about the loss of Jimmy and now DIck. I know how hard this is on their family, those blood relatives, and their church community.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      August 25, 2021 at 02:31 pm

      I absolutely love that your daddy was a Monday Man! That is so special and I am glad that he was able to do so much good that still remains long after hid death. I love your stories about him and am so glad that you took the time to read even though it was difficult. Thinking of you as well!

      Reply
  8. Dianna
    August 25, 2021 at 02:08 pm

    One of my dear friends is a “Monday Man”, maybe not just on Monday. He’s always been so dedicated to his church and its needs.
    Sorry for the loss of two Monday Men who always brightened your day,

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      August 25, 2021 at 02:31 pm

      Thanks, Dianna. There are a lot of them, aren’t there? And they are truly one of a. kind.

      Reply
  9. Minnesota Prairie Roots
    August 25, 2021 at 02:22 pm

    What a beautiful tribute to these Monday Men who were a special part of your life. I’m sorry for your loss, Beth Ann. Hugs.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      August 25, 2021 at 02:32 pm

      Thank you, Audrey. It’s been a week of remembering and thinking about some of those really great people who have crossed my path over the years.

      Reply
  10. Darlene
    August 29, 2021 at 09:09 am

    Its certainly OK to be sad, especially when someone special leaves this world. My heart goes out to you. Sending love. xo

    Reply

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