Rejoice! Reverend Dr. Van S. Bird, September 6, 1924-March 6, 2013, A Celebration Of Life

1

Keverend Dr. Van S.E:>ird
September 61 1924- March 61 201)
A CELL5RATION OF LIFE

We must offer a world view, a sacred canop!J ot meaning which provides hope tor the hopeless, love tor the unloved and the possibilit~ ofjustice in an urjust world .
... Van S .f:>ird . 1998
The~ that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; the!J shall mount up with wings as
eagles; the!J shall run and not be wear!J; the~ shall walk and not taint.
Isaiah +O: ) 1

Reverend Dr. Van 5.5ird
A CLLL5RATION OF LIFL

Wednesda~ , March 1) , 201) . 1 1 AM
The Cathedral Of St. fh ilip
The Rt. Rev. Robert C. Wright Xth 5ishop, D iocese ot Atlanta
Fresiding

Organ Frelude

Fra~ers oF the Feople

Opening H~mn Immortal Invisible (The H~mnal1982, +2?)
The Collects

The Feace
OHertor~ Solo 11 Fraise God and Dance11 b~ Duke Ellington
Ann Marie McFhail , soprano

The Liturg~ ot the Word Isaiah 4-0:28-? I
Fsalm 2? (King james Version) 2 Corinthians+: 16-5:10
Tributes The Rev. Dr. Anika A. jones, Daughter VanS. l)ird, jr. - Shaka Kusaidi, Son
Lesle~ l)ird Grad~ 1 Daughter

The Hoi~ Communion The Great Thanksgiving
E_ucharistic Fra~er I)
The l)reaking oF the l)read
Communion Anthem 11 How firm A f oundation 11 arr. T re~ Clegg
St. Faul1s Episcopal Church Choir

Se9uence tl~mn Great Is Th~ faithFulness
(Levas )1, 189)
The Gospel john 14-:1-6
tlomil~
The Rt. Rev. Robert C. Wright, l)ishop, Diocese ot Atlanta
Sermon Meditation 11Stand11 b~ Donnie McClurkin The St. Faul,s E_piscoF.al Church Choir
Fersis 5risto , soloist

Communion H~mns Frecious Lord, Take M~ Hand
(Levas IL 1o6) Let All Mortal flesh Keep Silent
(The H~mnal1982, ?2+)
Fost Communion F ra~er
H~mn
How Great Thou Art (Levas II, 6o)
The Commendation
Closing Anthems

The Apostles Creed

The Committal Westview Cemeter~

fall bearers
Keito Van 5ird, grandson. Ambe O linga, grandson . jelani tlunt, great-grandson Kaleb Sixto, great-grandson . Eric Grad~, son in law . Alan jones, son in law

To be able to look back upon one's life
in satisfaction is to live twice.
... KhaltlGibran

Reverend Dr. Van Samuel Bird was born to the late Inez Bird September 6, 1924 in Waycross, Georgia. He began his close k with God at St. Ambrose Episcopal Church in Waycross where he was reared and nurtured spiritually.
Van graduated from Center High School in Waycross in 1942 and was an exceptional student. Upon matriculation from high school, he entered the military, serving in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1944. After his discharge in 1944, Van became the first member of his family to complete postsecondary education, entering Fort Valley State College, a historically black college, in 1944 to major in Political Science. It was there that he met his life partner, Eva. They married in 1946.
Van was called to the ministry while in college, as had been predicted by his grandmother years before. Following his graduation from Fort Valley in 1948, he went on to receive his Master of Divinity from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois in 1951. Other educational achievements include a Certificate in Post-Seminary Theological Studies (1958) from St. Augustine's College in Canterbury, England; a Master of Arts (1969) and a Ph.D. (1976) in Sociology from Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Reverend Bird was ordained to the Diaconate on May 11, 1951 at St. James Cathedral in Chicago, Illinois; and to the Priesthood on November 29, 1951 at historic African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas in Phila., PA. He began active ministry as Curate at St. Thomas. In 1953, in partnership with his wife, Eva, he organized a new congregation at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Baltimore, Maryland. Beginning with an empty building located in a racially changing neighborhood at the dawn of the civil rights era, by 1964 the congregation had grown to 400 and begun the canonical process for parish stature in the Diocese of Maryland.
Van was often selected to forge new territory for the Episcopal Church. During his time at Holy Trinity he was selected for an exclusive fellowship in Canterbury, England, regarded as the "cradle of Anglicanism", where he lived with his wife and three children from 1957 to 1958. Later, responding to the call of Bishop Cedric E Mills, the first African American Bishop for the U.S. Virgin Islands, Van moved with his family to serve as

Reverend Dr. Van 5._5ird
A CLLL5RATION OF LIFL

Vicar of St. Andrew's Church in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands from 1964 to 1966. While there he began an additional new mission on the island of St. John. Reverend Bird also served as Vicar of St. Bartholomew's Church from 1968 to 1975 and Rector of St. Simon the Cyrenian Church from 1984 to 1990, both dynamic, inner-city congregations in Philadelphia.
From 1975 to 1984, Van led the office of Social Concerns and Church and Community Relationships for the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania. It was during this time that he applied his resolute commitment for social justice and unique life experiences to seed authentic, community-driven efforts on behalf of Philadelphia's most distressed communities. He was often on the forefront of progressive issues such as intemational human rights and the advancement of women leaders in the church. Van and Eva became advisors and participants in the creation of AFCOM- the African Community Learning Center, led by his son, Shaka, and eight of his peers. Utilizing the closed facilities of St. Bartholomew's, the Center was a multi-purpose community institution built around an African frame of reference and values and rooted in an appreciation, affirmation and expression of ethnic pride, self-responsibility and community action. To this day it stands as a model for civic pride and engagement.
Van's academic career was equally noteworthy. He taught at Temple's Department of Sociology from 1966 to 1968 and as Instructor and Assistant Professor of Sociology at LaSalle University from 1970 to 1990 (receiving tenure in 1975). After his 1990 retirement from LaSalle and subsequent move to Atlanta, GA, he taught in the Sociology Department at Morehouse College in Atlanta from 1994 to 2006.

It is our challenge
to hold before people
a vision and model ot a
new human communit~-
tree tram oppression
and miser~ and undergirded b~ values
which stress individual
dignit~ and worth, but
a collective and social
identit~. We cannot
be human or remain
alone in isolation.
Whatever undermines
communit~ threatens the humanit~ ot
all ot us. Van S .l)ird, 1987

Yet all of Van's professional and academic pursuits dimmed in comparison to his unparalleled devotion to family. He was married to Eva Brown for 66 years. God blessed their union with three children, eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Believing all were destined for greatness, he firmly, lovingly and actively supported all of their endeavors. Moreover, his love for his family reached far beyond his immediate circle to his extended family of nephews, nieces, cousins and "adopted" children. Throughout it all, Eva remained his North Star.
Van had a number of activities and interests. A member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, he was well traveled, having extensively explored Europe and the Caribbean. He also regularly mentored new clergy and remained a steadfast servant of the Episcopal Diocese, acting as an interim and substitute pastor for various congregations. Mter his move to Atlanta, he became active in Quality Living Services (QLS), participating in their advocacy programs and bridge clubs. Until his transition, he remained very interested in political science and politics, articulately analyzing and debating current events with insight and fervor.
Reverend Dr. Van S. Bird leaves to cherish and celebrate his life his devoted wife, Eva Ruth Brown Bird; one brother, Jack Bird (Caldonia); children Anika Amanda Jones (Alan), VanS. Bird, Jr.-Shaka Kusaidi (Aisha) , and Lesley Bird Grady (Eric); eight grandchildren: Keito Van Bird, Ambe Olinga, Kisha Bird, Njeri Reese (Derrick), Ayanna Hunt, Karima Grady, Ashaki Warren (Steve) and Khari Bird; and nine great-grandchildren: Karen, Jelani, Kaleb, Amber, Eva, Nevan, Layla, Noah and Jonah; and a host of godchildren, "adopted children", nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.
... YetallotVan's
professional and
academic pursuits
dimmed in comparison
to his unparalleled devotion to tamil~.

Acknowledgements
The fa mil~ of Van 5 . 5ird wishes to thank: The Cathedral of 5t. fhiliE, St. f aul's E_piscopal Church,
Impact Church, Murra~ brothers funeral Home, }nc., and the man~ fa mil~ and friends near and tar tor ~our pra~ers, support and innumerable acts of kindness.
Internment Westview Cemeter~ 1680 Westview Drive, SW Atlanta, GA )0) 10
Repast St. f aul's E_piscopal Church
29+ f e~ton Road SW Atlanta, GA )O) 1 1

MURRAY BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, INC.
404-349-3000 JJ99 Utoy Springs Road, Southwest
(comer of!ascade RII, near 1-185)
Atlanta, Georgia 30331

THE CATHEDRAL OF ST. PHILIP
SERVING ATLANTA AND THE WORLD
The Right Reverend Robert C. Wright
CELEBRATING THE LIFE of
THE REVEREND DR.VAN S. BIRD
5eptember 6, 1924 - Marr:h 6, 2013
MARCH 13,2013 2744 PEACHTREE ROAD I ATLANTA, GA 30305 I 404-601-5320

Order of Service
RITE II
ORGAN PRELUDE [TREY CLEGG]
THE SOLEMN PROCESSION [Book of Common Prayer, p. 491]
OPENING HYMN IMMORTAL INVISIBLE, The Hymnal 1982, No. 423
Immortal, invisible, God only wise, in light inaccessible hid from our eyes, most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days, almighty, victorious, thy great Name we praise.
Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light, nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might; thy justice like mountains high soaring above thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.
To all life thou givest, to both great and small; in all life thou livest, the true life of all; we blossom and flourish, like leaves on the tree, then wither and perish; but nought changeth thee.
Thou reignest in glory, thou rulest in light, thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight; all laud we would render: 0 help us to see 'tis only the splendor of light hideth thee.
THE COLLECTS (Book of Common Prayer, p. 493)
BISHOP: The Lord be with you.
PEOPLE: And also with you.
BISHOP: Let us pray.
0 God, who by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ destroyed death, and brought life and immortality to light: Grant that your servant Van, being raised with him, may know the strength of his presence, and rejoice in his eternal glory; who with you and the Holy
Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2

0 God of grace and glory, we remember before you this day our brother Van. We thank you for giving him to us, his family and friends, to know and to love as a companion on our earthly pilgrimage. In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn. Give us faith to see in death the gate of eternal life, so that in quiet confidence we may continue our course on earth, until, by your call, we are reunited with
those who have gone before; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
A READING FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT ISAIAH 40:28-3 I {PEW BIBLE, P. 5 18, OT}
28Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. 29He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. 30Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; 31 but those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
THE PSALM PSALM 23
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
3

A READING FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT 2 CORINTHIANS 4: 16-5: I 0 {PEW BIBLE, P. 138, NT}

6 :

S

o

we

do

not

lose

heart.

Even

though

our

outer

nature

is

wasting

away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. :7For this slight

momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory

beyond all measure, 18because we look not at what can be seen but at

what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what

cannot be seen is eternal.

5For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling- 3if indeed, when we have taken it off we will not be found naked. 4For while we are still in this tent, we groan under our
burden, because we wish not to be unclothed but to be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5He who
has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. 6So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord7for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8Yes, we do have confidence, and
we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 1For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense for what has been done
in the body, whether good or evil.

TRIBUTES The Rev. Dr. Anika Jones, Daughter VanS. Bird, Jr. "Shaka Kusaidi", Son Lesley Spencer Grady, Daughter

SEQUENCE HYMN GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS, Lift Every Voice and Sing II, No. 189

Great is thy faithfulness, 0 God my Father, There is no shadow of turning with thee;
Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not, As thou hast been thou forever wilt be.

Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed thy hand hath provided, Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto mel
4

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest, Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness, To thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Refrain

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Refrain

THE HOLY GOSPEL JOHN 14: 1-6 {PEW BIBLE, P. 83, NT}
! 4"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 21n my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you(3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.
4And you know the way to the place where I am going." 5Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" 6Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

HOMILY The Right Reverend Robert C. Wright, Tenth Bishop, Diocese ofAtlanta

SERMON MEDITATION [fHE ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH CHOIR

Stand
Donnie McClurkin

WITH PERSIS BRISTOL, SOLOIST)

5

THE APOSTLE'S CREED [Book ofCommon Prayer, p. 496]
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born ofthe Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was cruci(led, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurreaion ofthe body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
For our brother Van, let us pray to our Lord Jesus Christ who said, "I am Resurrection and I am Life."
Lord, you consoled Martha and Mary in their distress; draw near to us who mourn for Van and dry the tears of those who weep.
Hear us, Lord.
You wept at the grave of Lazarus, your friend; comfort us in our sorrow.
Hear us, Lord.
You raised the dead to life; give to our brother eternal life.
Hear us, Lord.
You promised paradise to the thief who repented; bring our brother to the joys of heaven.
Hear us, Lord.
6

Our brother was washed in Baptism and anointed with the Holy Spirit; give him fellowship with all your saints.
Hear us, Lord.

He was nourished with your Body and Blood; grant him a place at the table in your heavenly kingdom.
Hear us, Lord.

Comfort us in our sorrows at the death of our brother; let our faith be our consolation, and eternal life our hope.

THE PEACE

OFFERTORY ANTHEM [THE ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH CHOIR
WITH PAULETTE SMITH-EPPS, SOLOIST]
I Want Jesus To Walk With Me
Spiritual, orr. Moses Hogan

SOLO AT THE PRESENTATION [ANN MARIE McPHAIL, SOPRANO] Praise God and Dance Duke Ellington

THE HOLY COMMUNION

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING [Book of Common Prayer, p. 367]

CELEBRANT: PEOPLE: CELEBRANT: PEOPLE: CELEBRANT: PEOPLE:

The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give him thanks and praise.

It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.

Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever say this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:

7

[S-125]
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest Blessed is he who comes in the name ofthe Lord.
Hosanna in the highest
{THE CELEBRANT CONTINUES}
We give thanks to you, 0 God, for the goodness and love which you have made known to us in creation; in the calling of Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus, your Son. For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Savior and Redeemer of the world. In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life.
On the night before he died for us, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, "Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me."
After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, "Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me."
Therefore, according to his command, 0 Father,
CELEBRANT AND PEOPLE:
[L-260] We remember his death, We proclaim his resurrection, We await his coming in glory;
{THE CELEBRANT CONTINUES}
And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, 0 Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine.
8

We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts that they may be the Sacrament of the Body of Christ and his Blood of the new Covenant. Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice, that we may be acceptable through him, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In the fullness of time, put all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us to that heavenly country where, with Van and all your saints, we may enter the everlasting heritage of your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation.
By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and
for ever. AMEN.
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to sing:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD
COMMUNION ANTHEM [ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH CHOIR]
How Firm A Foundation
orr. Trey Clegg
COMMUNION HYMNS PRECIOUS LORD, TAKE MY HAND, Lift Every Voice and Sing II, No. I 06
Precious Lord, take my hand, Lead me on, let me stand, I am tired, I am weak, I am worn; Through the storm, through the night, Lead me on to the light, Take my hand, precious Lord, Lead me on.
When my way grows drear, precious Lord, linger near, When my life is almost gone; Hear my cry, hear my call,
9

Hold my hand, lest I fall, Take my hand, precious Lord, Lead me on.
When the darkness appears and the night draws near, And the day is past and gone; At the river I stand, Guide my feet, hold my hand, Take my hand, precious Lord, Lead me on.
LET ALL MORTAL FLESH KEEP SILENCE, The Hymnal 1982, No. 324
Let all mortal flesh keep silence, and with fear and trembling stand;
ponder nothing earthly-minded, for with blessing in his hand
Christ our God to earth descendeth, our full homage to demand.
King of kings, yet born of Mary, as of old on earth he stood,
Lord of lords in human vesture, in the Body and the Blood
he will give to all the faithful his own self for heavenly food.
Rank on rank the host of heaven spreads its vanguard on the way,
as the Light of Light descendeth from the realms of endless day,
that the powers of hell may vanish as the darkness clears away.
At his feet the six-winged seraph; cherubim with sleepless eye
veil their faces to the Presence, as with ceaseless voice they cry,
" Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, Lord Most High!"
10

POST COMMUNION PRAYER [Book of Common Prayer, p. 498]
Almighty God, we thank you that in your great love you have fed us with the spiritual food and drink ofthe Body and Blood of your Son Jesus Christ, and have given us a foretaste of your heavenly banquet Grant that this Sacrament may be to us a comfort in affliction, and a pledge of our inheritance in that kingdom where there is no death, neither sorrow nor crying, but the fullness ofjoy with all your saints; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
HYMN How GREAT THOU ART, Lift Every Voice and Sing II, No. 60
0 Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder Consider all the worlds thy hands have made,
I see the stars I hear the rolling thunder, Thy pow'r throughout the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul, my Savior, God, to Thee; How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
When through the woods and forest glades I wander And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees,
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur, And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze.
Refrain
And when I think that God, his Son not sparing, Send him to die, I scarce can take it in,
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin.
Refrain
When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration, And there proclaim, my God how great thou art.
Refrain
II

THE COMMENDATION (Book ofCommon Prayer, p. 499)
BISHOP:
Give rest, 0 Christ, to your servant with your saints,
PEOPLE:
where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting.
BISHOP:
You only are immortal, the creator and maker of mankind; and we are mortal, formed of the earth, and to earth shall we return. For so did you ordain when you created me, saying, "You are dust, and to dust you shall return." All of us go down to the dust; yet even at the grave we make our song: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
PEOPLE:
Give rest, 0 Christ, to your servant with your saints, where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting.
BISHOP:
Into your hands, 0 merciful Savior, we commend your servant Van. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in
light. Amen.
CLOSING ANTHEMS
ORGAN POSTLUDE [TREY CLEGG] Hallelujah, from "The Messiah" G.F. Handel
THE COMMITTAL Westview Cemetery
PALLBEARERS Keito Van Bird, grandson Ambe Olinga, grandson Jelani Hunt, great-grandson Caleb Sixto, great-grandson
Eric Grady, son in law Alan Jones, son in law