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A Sojourner Goes Home: In Memory of a 'Cherished Pastor and Rebellious Saint'

by Christa Mazzone Palmberg 06-26-2009 | 3:03pm
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090626-chad-miller-0279As our nation mourns the untimely death of the King of Pop, I am grieving over the death of a lesser know man: a man whom many will never know, but whose mark on the world is significant. Two weeks ago, Rev. Chad Miller, Associate Pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, Delaware, and longtime supporter of Sojourners, died at the early age of 34 years old in a kayaking accident. His death is not only a personal loss, but a loss for the faith-based movement for social justice.

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I met Chad at a Sojourners mobilization several years ago when I first began my work as Field Organizer with Sojourners. His warm smile, hearty laugh, and friendly disposition were unforgettable. New to the world of faith-based social activism, I didn't know what to expect when it came to working with our grassroots partners "in the field." Would they welcome me into their world even though I was an outsider from D.C.? Would they stay active over the years, or would they vanish as soon as campaigns or conferences were over? Chad's hospitality taught me early on that we are all in this work together. His consistency and commitment to Sojourners over the years challenged the cynic in me -- Chad showed me that for some people, putting faith into action is simply a way of life that doesn't change over time.

Chad represents to me one of the unsung heroes of this growing movement of young evangelicals working for God's kingdom of peace and justice. Chad took his faith in Christ seriously. So seriously that he devoted his life to the church, fed the hungry, and ministered to the sick. But he didn't stop there. Chad desired justice for all of God's children. I recall four years ago when Chad's thirst for justice took him to the Capitol as a part of Sojourners' Budgets are Moral Documents campaign. Protesting budget cuts that would disproportionately affect the poorest in our nation, Chad participated in a peaceful witness, which resulted in his arrest. That was the Chad I knew. A man willing to follow Christ's bidding whatever the cost.

At Chad's memorial service, Dr. Anne Ledbetter prayed,

Compassionate God

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by: revjenkottler

06-28-2009 @ 11:14am

Thanks, Christa. And thanks for connecting Chad and I in 2005 when he moved to Chicago. He was a blessing to me and to so many, and the loss we experience is not just personal -- its so much bigger than that. The world and the church lost someone who's commitment to justice was transforming them both. Now that Chad is no longer with us, it's up to us. (Thanks a lot, bruh.)

I convinced Chad that coming to DC in December of 2005 was a good idea because its not usually cold (it was in the teens) and it wouldn't be too painful. (Chad was one of the last to be arrested and processed, the plastic hand cuffs they used on him were put on particularly tight, and he had them on for way longer than the rest of us.) He took it all in stride, and later we laughed about it over the beer that he used to dull the pain he was still feeling in his wrists. I think I bought.

I will miss him as a partner in the struggle, and miss knowing that even though we didn't talk often, my friend was just a phone call away, and there if I needed him. But like many, I will miss his smile and his signature laugh. Godspeed, Chad. I know that if there is any injustice to take on in heaven, you're on the case.

by: revjenkottler

06-28-2009 @ 11:14am

Thanks, Christa. And thanks for connecting Chad and I in 2005 when he moved to Chicago. He was a blessing to me and to so many, and the loss we experience is not just personal -- its so much bigger than that. The world and the church lost someone who's commitment to justice was transforming them both. Now that Chad is no longer with us, it's up to us. (Thanks a lot, bruh.)

I convinced Chad that coming to DC in December of 2005 was a good idea because its not usually cold (it was in the teens) and it wouldn't be too painful. (Chad was one of the last to be arrested and processed, the plastic hand cuffs they used on him were put on particularly tight, and he had them on for way longer than the rest of us.) He took it all in stride, and later we laughed about it over the beer that he used to dull the pain he was still feeling in his wrists. I think I bought.

I will miss him as a partner in the struggle, and miss knowing that even though we didn't talk often, my friend was just a phone call away, and there if I needed him. But like many, I will miss his smile and his signature laugh. Godspeed, Chad. I know that if there is any injustice to take on in heaven, you're on the case.

by: lorietudor

07-01-2009 @ 9:36pm

I met Chad as a member of the Delaware delegation to the Mobilization this past April. He was articulate and committed, and added so much to our efforts in meeting with legislative staff. I had been thinking about some local efforts, and with Chad as a new ally I felt freshly energized. What a loss - Delaware grieves.

by: lorietudor

07-01-2009 @ 7:36pm

I met Chad as a member of the Delaware delegation to the Mobilization this past April. He was articulate and committed, and added so much to our efforts in meeting with legislative staff. I had been thinking about some local efforts, and with Chad as a new ally I felt freshly energized. What a loss - Delaware grieves.

by: lorietudor

07-01-2009 @ 7:36pm

I met Chad as a member of the Delaware delegation to the Mobilization this past April. He was articulate and committed, and added so much to our efforts in meeting with legislative staff. I had been thinking about some local efforts, and with Chad as a new ally I felt freshly energized. What a loss - Delaware grieves.

by: lorietudor

07-01-2009 @ 9:36pm

I met Chad as a member of the Delaware delegation to the Mobilization this past April. He was articulate and committed, and added so much to our efforts in meeting with legislative staff. I had been thinking about some local efforts, and with Chad as a new ally I felt freshly energized. What a loss - Delaware grieves.

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by: revjenkottler

06-28-2009 @ 11:14am

Thanks, Christa. And thanks for connecting Chad and I in 2005 when he moved to Chicago. He was a blessing to me and to so many, and the loss we experience is not just personal -- its so much bigger than that. The world and the church lost someone who's commitment to justice was transforming them both. Now that Chad is no longer with us, it's up to us. (Thanks a lot, bruh.)

I convinced Chad that coming to DC in December of 2005 was a good idea because its not usually cold (it was in the teens) and it wouldn't be too painful. (Chad was one of the last to be arrested and processed, the plastic hand cuffs they used on him were put on particularly tight, and he had them on for way longer than the rest of us.) He took it all in stride, and later we laughed about it over the beer that he used to dull the pain he was still feeling in his wrists. I think I bought.

I will miss him as a partner in the struggle, and miss knowing that even though we didn't talk often, my friend was just a phone call away, and there if I needed him. But like many, I will miss his smile and his signature laugh. Godspeed, Chad. I know that if there is any injustice to take on in heaven, you're on the case.

by: revjenkottler

06-28-2009 @ 11:14am

Thanks, Christa. And thanks for connecting Chad and I in 2005 when he moved to Chicago. He was a blessing to me and to so many, and the loss we experience is not just personal -- its so much bigger than that. The world and the church lost someone who's commitment to justice was transforming them both. Now that Chad is no longer with us, it's up to us. (Thanks a lot, bruh.)

I convinced Chad that coming to DC in December of 2005 was a good idea because its not usually cold (it was in the teens) and it wouldn't be too painful. (Chad was one of the last to be arrested and processed, the plastic hand cuffs they used on him were put on particularly tight, and he had them on for way longer than the rest of us.) He took it all in stride, and later we laughed about it over the beer that he used to dull the pain he was still feeling in his wrists. I think I bought.

I will miss him as a partner in the struggle, and miss knowing that even though we didn't talk often, my friend was just a phone call away, and there if I needed him. But like many, I will miss his smile and his signature laugh. Godspeed, Chad. I know that if there is any injustice to take on in heaven, you're on the case.

by: lorietudor

07-01-2009 @ 7:36pm

I met Chad as a member of the Delaware delegation to the Mobilization this past April. He was articulate and committed, and added so much to our efforts in meeting with legislative staff. I had been thinking about some local efforts, and with Chad as a new ally I felt freshly energized. What a loss - Delaware grieves.

by: lorietudor

07-01-2009 @ 7:36pm

I met Chad as a member of the Delaware delegation to the Mobilization this past April. He was articulate and committed, and added so much to our efforts in meeting with legislative staff. I had been thinking about some local efforts, and with Chad as a new ally I felt freshly energized. What a loss - Delaware grieves.

by: lorietudor

07-01-2009 @ 9:36pm

I met Chad as a member of the Delaware delegation to the Mobilization this past April. He was articulate and committed, and added so much to our efforts in meeting with legislative staff. I had been thinking about some local efforts, and with Chad as a new ally I felt freshly energized. What a loss - Delaware grieves.

by: lorietudor

07-01-2009 @ 9:36pm

I met Chad as a member of the Delaware delegation to the Mobilization this past April. He was articulate and committed, and added so much to our efforts in meeting with legislative staff. I had been thinking about some local efforts, and with Chad as a new ally I felt freshly energized. What a loss - Delaware grieves.