LYME/OLD LYME— The Rev. Steven Jungkeit, Senior Minister at the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme (FCCOL), has today announced the passing yesterday morning of the Rev. David W. Good from complications with leukemia.
Rev. Good was Minister Emeritus of the First Congregational Church and had served as its Senior Minister for 37 years from 1975 to 2012.
In his email sharing the sad news with church members, Rev. Jungkeit says, “The breadth of his [Rev. Good’s] ministry is astonishing, both for its prescience and for its imaginative sweep. Prescient in that David anticipated many of the justice issues that we are still contending with today. Imaginative in that he used the symbols of the Christian tradition to connect with those of other peoples and cultures, demonstrating that as human beings, we all belong to the same common family.”
He continues, ” David’s ministry at FCCOL, but really, his entire life, was dedicated to countering that indifference.”
Rev. Jungkeit then gives numerous examples of the extraordinary outreach work that Rev. Good initiated, saying, “In 1985, David led the first visit to Green Grass, South Dakota, initiating a partnership with the Lakota people of the Cheyenne River Reservation that continues to exist some 40 years later.”
He continues, ” A few years after that, prompted by the struggle against apartheid in South Africa, David journeyed to that country in order to foster another set of relationships with those in the Township of Soweto, and with the Methodist Churches of Southern Africa. Later still, he forged a bond with the Koinonia community outside of Americus, Georgia, an anti-racist experiment in communal living that helped to birth Habitat for Humanity.”
Citing what he describes as “One of David’s greatest contributions” Rev. Jungkeit describes how, “… in the days and months following the 9/11 attacks [Rev. Good] [a]lmost immediately, … reached out to the Muslim community, doing whatever he could to counter the fear and paranoia generated by that event, while also helping everyone within his orbit to both appreciate and celebrate the vast wisdom of the Islamic tradition.”
Rev. Jungkeit notes, “Soon, that outreach led to the formation of the Tree of Life ministry, dedicated to the pursuit of human rights in Palestine and in Israel. For more than twenty years, groups of travelers from FCCOL, the Berlin Mosque, and many other places of origin, have journeyed together to the Middle East to learn about the profound human rights challenges facing Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, in East Jerusalem, the Golan Heights, and in Israel proper, while also learning from many Israeli voices of conscience who are seeking to build just and humane alternatives in that region.”
Recognizing recent world events, Rev. Jungkeit states, “The importance of that work becomes more evident with each passing day. It is a legacy that will continue to grow, as we find new ways to support the work of that Tree, “whose branches shall be for the healing of the nations.”
Commenting that, “David’s global outreach scarcely touches all the ways that he gave of himself to individuals within the FCCOL community, and to Old Lyme and the Connecticut Shoreline more broadly,” Rev Jungkeit explains, “Week after week, he delivered learned, impassioned, and inspiring sermons. He accompanied many people through their final days, and helped family members to come to terms with their own losses. He steered committees and task forces. Through his leadership, the Fellowship Hall and Sunday School wing was added to FCCOL. We have a Food Pantry housed at FCCOL because of David’s vision, and in his later years, he organized PARJE (Public Art for Racial Justice and Equality).”
Rev. Jungkeit concludes, “I came to FCCOL because I was inspired by the tracks David had set down throughout his ministry. It was, and is, an honor to follow in those footsteps.” He ends his email by describing Rev. Good simply as, “… this remarkable man.”
A date for the Memorial Service is still being arranged and will be announced shortly.
We send our deepest sympathies to Rev. Good’s wife Corinne and his extended family. He truly was a remarkable man.
David Good was a treasured resource for the Old Lyme community. I enjoyed participating in his discussion groups on the Bible, reading his sermons and calling on him from time to time for his wisdom and comfort. There was never any doubt that his comments came from a love of fellow human kind and the strength of his great faith. He was a role model in many ways.
Deepest sympathies to the congregation, his loved ones and family.
REQUIESCAT IN PACE
So many wonderful memories of Rev. Good. He married my husband and I in 1983 and baptized each of our 4 daughters. He will be missed.
Great loss for everyone who knew him.
What an amazing person David was. Here is a link to his OL Historical Society Oral history interview. https://www.oldlymehistoricalsociety.org/oral-histories
He will be greatly missed
Reverend Good baptized myself and my son, held no judgement that I was a mother at 16, but encouraged me to pray when things were hard. He was a person of strength and comfort when my mother turned her back to me, helped me find purpose in myself and have compassion for others. My deepest condolences to everyone who was lucky enough to know him but especially his wife.
David was an amazing human being whose reach was broad and diverse. His sermons were so thoughtful and touched our hearts profoundly. His memory will remain so strong with those of us who knew him. Strength to Corrine and his extended family.
Russell Fogg , Anu Godfrey-Fogg and family
Heartbroken by this news. While we moved away from Lyme in 1994, I was a member of FCCOL for 13 years prior to that, and David baptized both our sons in 1981 and 1984. He was a treasure of a man, a leader and minister second to none who made FCCOL feel like a second home to many and “a very present refuge in times of trouble.” In 30 years, I’ve never come across anyone else to match him and doubt I ever will. My deepest sympathy to his family, especially Corinne, whose help and support were also instrumental in making FCCOL what it is.
Inna lillahi wain na ilaihi rajeoon. To Him we belong and to Him we shall return. I had a good fortune to meet David through Tree of Life program via Islamic Center of New London, CT. David was a remarkable visionary and will be greatly missed. My condolences to his wife and his extended family. May He the exalted bless his soul, Ameen.
David Good was a good friend of mine! We met in 1994 and continued until his death. He was a great man and gave me support in all aspects. I accomplished quite a few tasks under his guidance. He never failed to come to church with me when he was in Americus Georgia. I cherish the memories we shared!
David Good was a vigorous participant and leader in Habitat for Humanity of SECT in the early 90s. I dearly remember and cherish his farsighted work and help on HFH from that time. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
A kind man, a visionary, a model, and a bridge, with generosity shared wider and wider, shining light into our collective life.
Weren’t we fortunate to be in his presence!
N.B. On Palestinian freedoms, David saw to the distant horizon, fearless and unwavering. In 2011 he wrote this call to action: https://ameu.org/2011/06/20/an-open-letter-to-church-leaders/
I was a Deacon when David came to FCCOL.
He performed weddings for our three children. . It should be noted that David also had a sense of humor . When our youngest daughter felt faint at the alter during her wedding ceremony he asked her if she wanted him to sing, knowing that would snap her out of it. They had a running joke that he couldn’t carry a tune.
Years ago we called David at home late on a Saturday afternoon to perform a wedding ceremony for friends whose priest did not show up. He responded willingly. That was the kind of man that David was.
We sometimes disagreed on church matters but David always reasoned me to his side!
I was so saddened to read of the passing of such a great man. May he rest in peace eternally .
Jerilynn Marshall
Revrand David Good’s passing is very sad news indeed. A beautiful soul that did amazing justice and peace works all around him and for Palestine. May his soul rest in eternal peace with the angels. He will always be in our hearts and his justice legacy will live on in all who knew him. We send our deepest condolences to his family and friends across the globe
Mousa and Kris Ishaq of Vermont
A wonderful man and a strong leader. He brought people together and earned respect even from those who may have held different views or opinions.
Reverend Good an amazing positive influence in my life full of insight and strength guidance and inspiration. His appreciation and respect for the difference in our world contained a genuine insight we were fortunate to experience. Thank you David and your spirit shines.