Newsletter April 2, 2008
From the Senior Pastor . . .
For many years Dr. Henry Schum served as associate pastor of CPC. When he “retired” and moved to south Georgia to be near his oldest daughter, Jane, he became associate pastor emeritus of our congregation. As many of you know, our fellowship hall is named in honor of Hank and his wife, Ruby.
Hank has been with his Lord for several years. Saturday evening, the Lord called Ruby home.
By the time you receive this newsletter, we will have gathered on Thursday morning, April 3, to celebrate Ruby being “clothed with [her] heavenly dwelling” (2 Cor 5.2).
Because most of you did not know Ruby at all, and many of us did not know her well, I want to share with you some excerpts from a tribute that Jane has written to her mom.
It was all about Dad. She didn't have the creative talents he had. Her gift of encouragement was the perfect match to his outgoing personality and many talents. . . .
In every pastorate, she was the ultimate hostess for meetings in the Manse and church events, and she was an excellent Bible teacher. On Sunday, she invited singles and others who didn't have family to enjoy Sunday Dinner. We never knew how many were coming home from church to eat with us.
Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter the house smelled of her wonderful cooking and was fully decorated.
She loved these holidays and would invite others to share her home and her joy.
Her heart of love was wide as the universe, and her chief joy was to lead yet another person to Jesus. Christmas was so special! She baked homemade bread for everyone on the block and didn't forget the mailman, the UPS man, and the staff at the church. And birthdays! She loved birthdays! April 1st--watch out! She was going to get everyone with an April Fool's Joke! . . .
Dad loved her more than his own life. They never argued in front of us, but were a united tower of discipline and love. We could not separate them on any decision. . . . He called her several pet names, but my favorite was “Ruby, my rib!”
Ruby Schum lived Proverbs 31. . . .
By 1995, Mother was showing signs of Alzheimer's disease and was diagnosed at that time. The disease changed her personality. Both she and Dad suffered. Dad always regretted [that] the pastors and church family at Covenant Presbyterian in Chattanooga didn't know the real Ruby Schum. . . .
Next Sunday she would have been 91, and I planned a party with neighbors and friends. . . . I couldn’t plan a better birthday party [than she will now experience] in the presence of Jesus, her beloved husband and daughter Mary. . . . Her day will be [filled] with Joy unspeakable.
Ruby Schum was a woman and mother to be honored. . . . She fought the good fight, and won. Her crown will be glorious!
Jane Schum
There’s little I can add to what Jane has written. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints”
(Ps 116.15).
Pastor Caines