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Emanual Cleaver
What do you remember most about Rev. Emanuel Cleaver?
KANSAS CITY, MO -
He's been a Kansas City council member, then mayor, and finally a member of the US House of Representatives. But Emanuel Cleaver was first and foremost a pastor, and on Sunday he said good-bye to his congregation in Kansas City. Emanuel Cleaver has been pastor to Saint James United Methodist Church.
Since turning congressman, Reverend Cleaver would fly in from Washington every weekend to lead worship here. Sunday was his last.
Folks packed Saint James Church making it very 'close,' but the congregation didn't seem to mind one bit. They were saying goodbye to their beloved pastor.
"I struggled whether I would make it through the service," said Rev. Cleaver.
The service was labeled a legacy celebration, and celebrate they did. But more importantly, after 37 years of leadership at Saint James Cleaver took over Saint James United Methodist in 1972 when its congregation numbered 20. Since those early days, the membership has grown to more than 2,000. Some of the folks who grew up in the church gathered Sunday at the altar steps.
"I visited some of the people here when they were born," Rev. Cleaver said. "I baptized 'em. I did their weddings. I baptized their children, and in some cases, funeraled family members."
Saint James Church will remain in the family. Cleaver admitted the most poignant part of the service was symbolically passing on the leadership role to his son.
"That was the high point of my ministry passing that candle to my son," he said.
Cleaver made his final goodbyes with a Saint James tradition. Cleaver started decades ago, passing out cookies and doughnuts to the chilrdren.
"It's a new beginning for the church and me," he said. "The church will have a new, young, gifted pastor whose fire has just begun to burn."
Cleaver said he has accepted a new appointment with the church as Assistant Bishop of Missouri. He said he's excited now about ministrying to all people of Missouri.
Since turning congressman, Reverend Cleaver would fly in from Washington every weekend to lead worship here. Sunday was his last.
Folks packed Saint James Church making it very 'close,' but the congregation didn't seem to mind one bit. They were saying goodbye to their beloved pastor.
"I struggled whether I would make it through the service," said Rev. Cleaver.
The service was labeled a legacy celebration, and celebrate they did. But more importantly, after 37 years of leadership at Saint James Cleaver took over Saint James United Methodist in 1972 when its congregation numbered 20. Since those early days, the membership has grown to more than 2,000. Some of the folks who grew up in the church gathered Sunday at the altar steps.
"I visited some of the people here when they were born," Rev. Cleaver said. "I baptized 'em. I did their weddings. I baptized their children, and in some cases, funeraled family members."
Saint James Church will remain in the family. Cleaver admitted the most poignant part of the service was symbolically passing on the leadership role to his son.
"That was the high point of my ministry passing that candle to my son," he said.
Cleaver made his final goodbyes with a Saint James tradition. Cleaver started decades ago, passing out cookies and doughnuts to the chilrdren.
"It's a new beginning for the church and me," he said. "The church will have a new, young, gifted pastor whose fire has just begun to burn."
Cleaver said he has accepted a new appointment with the church as Assistant Bishop of Missouri. He said he's excited now about ministrying to all people of Missouri.
