Death of Rev. Jude Samson
News of the death of Rev. Jude Samson, 80, President of the United Church of Christ in the Marshall Islands
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Rev. Jude Samson, 80, President of United Church of Christ in
Marshall Islands (Jarin Rarik Dron), passed away last week. The Church in Marshall Islands and Micronesia
lost lovely friend, faithful colleague
and excellent church leader in Marshall Islands and Micronesia region. He has made his great contribution in the ecumenical
church family worldwide. He was very
highly respected throughout his community and among churches worldwide. The church is truly fortunate to have such
God reliable servant as a model in our time.
The Republic of the Marshall Island’s Flag is flown at half-mast for 7
days.
A condolence letter to Mrs. Dina Samson, wife of Rev. Jude Samson,
signed by Rev. Geoffrey
Black, General Minister and President, Rev. Dr. James Moos, Co-Executive, Global Ministries,
Executive Minister, WCM, Rev. Karen Thompson, Minister for Ecumenical and
Interfaith Relations and Rev. Dr. Xiaoling Zhu, Area Executive for East Asia
and the Pacific.
The letter says,
“We would like to express our
sincere condolences on the recent passing of your husband, Rev. Jude Samson. We
wish we had the words to comfort and sustain you in your grief, but we know that it
is hard to take away any pain you are feeling now. Even the distance made us to be there with
you and your family and the Jarin Rarik Dron impossible, but our hearts,
thoughts and prayers to you and your family and the church at this difficult
time.
“The Apostle Paul once said, “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to
be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like
the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose
again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen
asleep in him.” (1 Thessalonians 4)
The
letter continues, “We trust that you and your family will always remember
Jude’s lovely smiles, and the Jarin Rarik Dron will continue to carry on God’s
mission in Marshall Islands forward. May
God bless you, your family and the Jarin Rarik Dron,
United Church of Christ-Congregational in Marshall Islands! ”