The comments below support this Mark of Ministry. To read the reference in its entirety, please click on the bold text at the end of each comment.
I’m writing to express my gratitude to Church of the Palms for sending Jim Alexander during the passing of my Father, Myron Masny. This past January, I called Church of the Palms and asked if someone could come to Royal Oaks, home of my parents, and comfort my Mother and Father during this time. My Father had just gone on hospice. It was a difficult phone call for me. My parents are members of the church, but have been unable to attend for awhile. The woman on the phone said someone would be there in twenty minutes. My Mother and I immediately felt relieved and grateful. Within twenty minutes, Jim Alexander arrived, explaining that he was the music director but wanted to be there for us. He spoke to my Father, and showed genuine interest, discussing the WWII photos on the wall of my Uncle, and my Dad’s college football team picture. I could tell it lifted his spirits, and that it was of comfort to him. Jim then lead us in a prayer. – Mark Masny
The fourth mark of ministry that I see is Jim’s healing a hurting world. He is eager to help blind and visually impaired people. I did not know that he was helping to organize that dinner, but he thought of me, gave me the opportunity, and wished to give me another opportunity to speak because of the new things I am learning to do in the school for the blind. Jim knows I am going to school to learn what is available for blind and visually impaired people. He listens to me tell him nearly every week about new voice computer technology and Braille computers for the blind. He wanted me to speak to his congregation to share resources that some of them may need to use, and that would make their lives easier and happier. Jim continues to share other people’s happiness and to inspire other people to maximize their potential. – Diana Garrett
Because of the compassion that he shared every week, Jim was easily the one to go to for counseling or encouragement. He has been there for families as they say goodbye to a loved one as well as when families welcome a new member at a wedding or a birth. Jim retained these positive attributes from his years when he thought that he was, “wrong,” in God’s eyes. Jim served as a minister to my family when my father passed and even performed the funeral. This in and of itself is an accomplishment. Most of my family is nonChristian and many are homophobic. Jim, however, was still asked to perform this most significant service for our family. – Jeff Scruggs
Pastoral Care: He makes pastoral calls and visits. He Is a good listener and discreet. He frequently greets people In the hallway following a worship service and makes a lasting impression. – Bill and Jeannie Reeves
Jim is intentional about his self care & life balance, as well as being sensitive to what defines wellness in/for others. – Malinda Case
1) my youngest son’s incarceration and, when he returned home, Jim was one of the first to offer him work and help him to reestablish himself as a contributing member of society, 2) the resulting 12 years of separation from our grandchildren and the ultimate reunion with our oldest granddaughter (he continues to pray with us for the full restoration of our family with the return of our grandson), 3} multiple surgeries for BOTH my husband and myself, some with long and complicated recoveries, 4) the loss of his father, both of my
parents and the near loss of his partner Jeff and the resulting transplant that saved his life, 5) the discrimination and alienation from church “families”- for a variety of reasons, 6) support, encouragement and funding for me to go on not 1 but 2 mission trips – to Peru and Zimbabwe – and the spiritual growth I received from them, and 7) ultimately finding a denomination that we all feel truly is the “church” God wants us all to be! – Toni and Steven Berg
My husband, Allan, served with the U.S. Army during the VietNam War. He was exposed to agent orange (daily) and has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s. (We recently celebrated fifty years of marriage). On March 16, 2017- 1 met with Jim at the church. I have been having a very difficult time dealing with the disease’ progression. Maybe, because of Jim and me both having a musical background, I have felt a “connection” to him. His kindness and mannerisms helped me to express my feelings. He is a very good listener and very compassionate. After our discussion, we prayed together for several minutes. This was/is very important to me. have felt much better after our meeting. I know that he holds Allan and me in his prayers. I have felt so much more at peace ever since. – Doris E. Gott
I sat in your position for five years as I chaired the Commission on Ministry in the 1990s for the Florida Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). I understand the magnitude of your decision. Twenty-six years ago, I would have been voting, “no”, simply on Jim’s lack of a seminary degree. Times are different now. Church has changed. I have evolved. I now understand that there are many paths to serving God. Thirty years of ministry counts for something! Jim is, in word and deed, a pastor as much as anyone I have ever met. Jim is called by God; he meets the Marks of Ministry.
In his professional preparation for worship, he excels. His artistry in the design of worship encompasses a wide variety of worshipers. He is an architect in worship- whether it be prayer, song, litany, art and visual elements, sermon, communion, or funeral. His results are consistently excellent and prophetic. Jim is called by God; he meets the Marks of Ministry. – Rev. Paul A. Whitlock
A church member from one of our old congregations had a son who committed suicide in their backyard. Jim stepped in for the family and not only consoled them but made the arrangements for his funeral to be at the church where we were both working. He officiated at the service and provided special music. We were all more than happy to help out with this service. That is Jim. He was there for this family and exceeded the expectations of most Pastors. – Harriet Fontenot
During and after the divorce, I particularly needed understanding and consolation from family and friends. It was soon quite clear that I was an outcast- in my family circle, my church, and in most of the community. The one person who never wavered was Jim. He talked with me, cried with me, and prayed for me. He made contact with pastors in the town where I had moved, asking them to visit and reach out to me…it revealed to me the ability he had for demonstrating the love of Christ – without hesitation and without question. – Jane Zukowski
Being family of clergy has its blessings and challenges. One of the biggest challenges is forfeiting your opportunity for having a pastor. What an answer to a prayer it was for my daughter and I to arrive at Church of the Palms when my husband became Senior Pastor and be blessed with Jim Alexander as our pastor. Jim presence in our lives has been invaluable. Moving is always a difficult process, but Jim was there to listen and provide pastoral care during our transition. His door was always open, and he was never too busy to stop and make sure our mental health was in check. Everyone asks, “How are you?”, but hardly anyone sticks around to hear the answer; however, Jim does. As a clergy spouse, I know that Sunday morning is a seriously hectic time, but Jim does not let the chaos of getting ready for worship interfere with the essential ministry of shepherding congregants. Also, this was my daughter’s first year of college and her first time to live away from home. Jim made sure she wasn’t forgotten and sent n tes and emails to remind her she was part of a church family. You would think that an eighteen-year-old girl would not find a home in a predominantly retired congregation. However, Jim led the way to make sure she had opportunities to serve and be connected spiritually to the Church of the Palms. – Wendy Whitlock
God’s love flows through Jim’s words and his presence in times of grief and joy. – Church of the Palms, Members In Discernment committee for Jim Alexander
Coming from a very different background, “UCC-world” represented a challenge to him organizationally and theologically. Undaunted, he embraces a Spirit-led faith that continues to deepen; he has a clear, well-articulated commitment to peace, justice, and full inclusion for all in the church’s life. He has open eyes to the new forms of faith community emerging in these times. He has my full support. – Rev. Leonard W. Silvester
…the specific times he showed his love of God’s world, and his compassion for the people in it, when he created the service for my dearest friends’ son, a very young man who had taken his own life. Jim’s loving help and ministry in creating the celebration of Seth’s life, and giving comfort to the devastated family and friends who loved Seth, was nothing less than extraordinary. He assuaged despair, and instilled hope, and reminded us all of the way God loves ALL His Children.
This past year, my own son, Ben, was diagnosed with a fatal tumor. He suffered a year and a few months of slow deterioration of body, and mind. Through it all, Jim was supportive and continues to be so as we prepare the celebration of Ben’s life. He has continued to nurture and coax us moving forward through our griet anger, and pain, by being a reminding example of the way we are to proceed through hardships. – Dawn Bell