Sumgmu’s Monthly Message, November 2024

In Memory of Rev. David Chase

It was all of sudden, and we were all in shock. I realize again there are so many things in the world we cannot understand. I do not understand why David, such a dedicated person, passed away suddenly. Yet, there is one thing I can tell you for sure: Rev. David Chase is in a better place now. There is another thing I can tell you for sure: Someday you and I will see him again in heaven. He just went ahead of us, experiencing that a caterpillar becomes a beautiful butterfly.

The first thing I want to mention about David is that he came to the church whenever he had time. When we have a newcomer to the church, I emphasize: “This is God’s church, and you are God’s child. Therefore, this is your church. Please do not behave like you are a guest. You are the owner of this church.” David took care of the church like his house because this is his church.

He was very generous toward others and his church. When I expressed my gratitude for his generous offerings, he said, “God has given me abundantly, and I am glad to share part of it with the church.” He was also a humble server. When we had a potluck supper last month, I thought of him who used to do the dishes. In addition, he worked hard at the pumpkin patch, selling and carrying pumpkins, taught the adult Sunday school until several days before he died, and preached at Sunday worship when I was away. If I continue, the story of his humble services will go on and on.

David and I had a monthly regular meeting since I came to our church two years ago. Not many people want to read a PhD dissertation, but he enjoyed reading mine and liked to have theological debates with me.

Here is a mysterious story when David was about 10 years old. The cement sidewalk in front of his Cincinnati home was being dug up and replaced. So, he went to see what was going on. He found a large man stretched out on the sidewalk, totally relaxed while holding the huge chisel that his co-worker was striking with a heavy sledgehammer.

“Aren’t you afraid that he’ll hit your hand?” David asked. The man answered, “Nope, he never misses.” Then, he looked at the young boy and said, “Son, you’re going to be a minister someday.” At that time, David didn’t like to go to church, so the remark didn’t make any sense to him. But he remembered it.

Thirty years later, he was an ordained Presbyterian minister. As an ordained minister, he shared wisdom with me, and I always appreciated his words of advice which have been very helpful for my ministry.

I have lost one of my best friends, and our church has lost one of our most dedicated persons. Because David had been so active, we may panic, thinking, “How can we manage without him?” It is true that he is no longer with us, but his spirit still remains at our church. I would like us to inherit his spirit of service and to dedicate ourselves to our church more than ever. Then, we will continue to function effectively and faithfully as a Christian church.

When I asked David to do something for me or for our church, he always answered, “Sure! Why not?” I would like to say to him, “David, I know you’ve already prayed in heaven for your family and friends. Please pray for our church, as well.” I can hear him saying, “Sure! Why not?”

Thank you, David, for your friendship and for your faithful dedication to our church. David, have a wonderful vacation in heaven.

Sungmu Lee