The Catholic Church may take a very long time to designate a person as a saint. I say that Helen Ryde already has achieved that. As a circuit rider / regional organizer for the Reconciling Methodist Network for 13 years, they traveled many miles across the southeastern states and more. They carried a plastic toy of John Wesley to accompany them on their travels. They attended conferences, churches, and RMN groups with ever-lasting endurance. What I remember most, is their joy in living. They were a lot of fun in a serious business.

In Africa with Their Mom One of Many Conferences On the Road Again With Mrs. Lovely

They already have received many accolades, and I don’t know that I can add any more significant ones. It took a Brit who came to the U.S. with the goal of dragging the United Methodist Church into the 21st Century. There were many bitter disappointments in the response of the church, and some hostile members. They never lost their effervescent spirit. As a part-time volunteer for a few years in the North Carolina Conference, I experienced how they could lift your spirits with hope and promise. My commitment lagged, but they continued on.

They experienced two recent events that brought even more joy to them this summer: The partial journey of the Camino de Santiago in Portugal and the Wild Goose Festival in North Carolina. They were at home in spite of the radical differences in these two events. They also had the talent to make others feel at home. With a round Charley Brown face, they carried the same feeling of innocence in a cynical world. Of course, there must have been many down days during the grueling years of travel.

The Pearly Gates already have opened wide even though we have not yet said our goodbyes. They are with the Saints.

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