Contributions to the tribute of Rev. Vernon Norman Cronmiller

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Friday, October 16, 2020

Dear Vern & Bette, Yes, I send this message to both of you, because you are both alive in Christ (you Bette and the rest of us who shed tears this day of the memorial service & to you Vern who stand across the Jordan "where every tear is wiped away & where death & sorrow will be no more." So Vern I share four memories of you that I suspect you might count as nothing before God's bursting grace which never abandons us no matter, but these four stories took place as "willy-nilly" experiences that touched & shaped my faith journey. Here they are: 1) From our early study of the LUTHERAN CONFESSIONS that I led at WLS in the 1970s for interested pastors: At one point I posited universal salvation for all (in Christ), which you challenged forcefully pointing out those places in both Scripture and the Confessions that challenged my position. We both held our positions so strongly that I felt neither of us would budge. Well, in time you accepted the position as I had shared it not because of the strength of my argument but because of the centrality of the COSTLY GRACE OF GOD who could not and would not abandon anyone to the jaws of hell. Toward the end of your pastorate at St. Marks you invited me to preach this (our) notion of the Gospel to the parishioners there. 2) I remember another story you told a few of us when you took up your LCA task in New York City. You spoke of walking from the bus terminal to your office passing numerous street people asking for money. Feeling awkward you swiftly passed them by, feeling awful thereafter. But instead of wallowing in typical Lutheran guilt you rallied the congregation which you came to attend to begin a soup kitchen & street ministry. 3) Vern, of all the "establishment" pastors I have known in my years in the K-W ministry you stand out as the one who would repent publicly for ill-advised remarks or behavior, those acts or words that others may not even have noticed. One specific example comes to mind. At a synodical worship service you proclaimed publicly that any resistance you may have felt about women's ordination was flat out wrong and in clear contradiction to God's radically inclusive ministry. And then you asked for all our forgiveness. In all three of these cherished memories you demonstrated humbly and graciously and publicly your frailty & although given my age I may not have all the details right, I'm certain of the essence of the three. They become especially precious because you never were (thank God) simply ready to bow before expected "churchy" behavior but insisted on clear Biblical and confessional integrity. This only heightened how committed you were to God's love that includes all at great and tearful cost in Christ. I mentioned four memories. Well, the fourth (4) occurred today at the MEMORIAL SERVICE which, given my Parkinsons, I could only watch live stream. I regret, Betty, that I could not be there for you (or for you family), but for my faith personally I became a veritable Pentecostal--bellowing out many "Amens", "Yes Lords" & "you got that right, Mike!". But most of all I could bellow out in song the hymns, especially "Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life", a hymn I have pre-chosen for my own funeral. So as I belted it out with gusto while the tears poured down my cheeks profusely, I thanked you yet again Vern for how you willingly or even more so unwittingly touched & shaped my faith journey. With much love, affection I reach out across the Jordan hoping that you, Bette, Elena, Mike & Prijna & all those who know me will help me "do justice, love kindness & walk humbly with God (my Parkinson Walker notwithstanding). Oz (Oscar Cole-Arnal)

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Peter Taylor posted a condolence

Thursday, October 15, 2020

My "Uncle Vern" was always an inspiration to me. He inspired me to be a faithful Christian. He inspired me to be an obedient child. He inspired me to take on any project-big or small. He especially liked to move rocks at his cottage. No rock was too big for my "Uncle Vern"! He inspired me to get things done. "Uncle Vern" liked to be busy and accomplish things. How many people would pick up and leave Canada for New York City late in their career and take on the lead role at Lutheran World Relief? He inspired me to be a soft spoken and kind man like he was. "Uncle Vern" inspired me to be interested in other people's lives. When we met after a long absence, he wanted to know about my life. What had I been doing? How was my job? How was my family? I have known my "Uncle Vern" for almost 70 years, and I will miss him greatly

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Dianne Borch donated to Trillium Lutheran Church

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

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Peter and Myra Van Katwyk planted a tree in memory of Rev. Vernon Cronmiller

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Dear Bette, we are thankful for having Vern and you be part of our lives.Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of loss. With our love

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Cathy Gregory donated to CANADIAN LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF

Monday, April 13, 2020

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Hans and Katharine Borch donated to CANADIAN LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF

Monday, April 13, 2020

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Andrew Paulsen donated to Trillium Lutheran Church

Sunday, April 12, 2020

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Carole Heintz Stephenson donated to CANADIAN LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF

Monday, April 6, 2020

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Judy and Rick Michel donated to CANADIAN LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF

Thursday, April 2, 2020

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Judy Michel posted a condolence

Thursday, April 2, 2020

Bette, Ted, Cathy and Tim: With fond recollection of our parents’ friendship reflected in photos as we page through “baby books” and albums. (I can hear your Mom’s cheery hello in my ear as I type this). We recall and appreciate your Dad’s smile and interest whenever we touched base over the years. We share your sorrow at this time as well as gratitude for having had him in our lives. Judy (Haase) and Rick Michel.

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Nancy Poag donated to Trillium Lutheran Church

Thursday, April 2, 2020

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Jeff Heimpel donated to CANADIAN LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF

Thursday, April 2, 2020

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Irene Fancy donated to CANADIAN LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF

Wednesday, April 1, 2020

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Greg Steinke posted a condolence

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Betty and Family From the Steinke Family from St. John's Arnprior, we send our sincerest condolences to you. Gwen.Greg & Deb, Kevin, Fred, Laura and Jim

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Dan and Joan Hadgraft donated to Trillium Lutheran Church

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

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Jill, Peter, Jeremy, Jonathan and Emma Volpatti donated to CANADIAN LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Our deepest sympathy on the passing of our wonderful Uncle Vern... we have so many special memories that we will cherish always. Lots of love to Aunt Bette, Ted, Cathy, Tim and your families - you are in our thoughts and prayers xoxo

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Jeff Pym donated to CANADIAN LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

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Bruce Schmitt donated to Trillium Lutheran Church

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

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Jamie & Shelley Kropf donated to CANADIAN LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

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Donna & Dale Finch donated to CANADIAN LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

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Alan & Alfreda Rulis, Annandale, VA, USA planted a tree in memory of Rev. Vernon Cronmiller

Monday, March 30, 2020

With heartfelt condolences. Vern baptized our son, Paul, 44 years ago at St. Mark's Kitchener. Vern has a permanent place in our hearts.

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Jim & Janet Brezina donated to CANADIAN LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF

Monday, March 30, 2020

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Dianne Gilchrist planted a tree in memory of Rev. Vernon Cronmiller

Monday, March 30, 2020

Giving thanks for the life of Rev. Vern Cronmiller, a very kind and loving man.

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Prijna and Allan Gingrich donated to Trillium Lutheran Church

Monday, March 30, 2020

We are both very sad that Vern has died. Our deepest condolences go out to Bette and the family.

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Kelly posted a condolence

Monday, March 30, 2020

Our thoughts go out to Betty and the family during this most difficult time. Vern was a tremendous friend and neighbour to my Grandfather (Bud) at Westmount, and was always a smiling face and a hello in the halls. May he Rest In Peace. Kelly & Bud Gidilevich

Karen Mathiasen lit a candle

Monday, March 30, 2020

So sorry to hear about Pastor Vern's passing. He was always very kind to me during the years that we worshiped together at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Kitchener, and had a very big heart, especially for those most vulnerable and in need. May God give you solace and peace at this time, Bette and all of Pastor Vern's family.

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Andrew Blackwell posted a condolence

Monday, March 30, 2020

Dear Bette, I still remember fondly my time each year at Lutherlyn camp with Vern. I was growing up in the parsonage in Williamsburg at the time and he shared his memories of growing there a couple of decades earlier. He was also with us at many Luther League gatherings, first in the Ottawa Valley and then with the Eastern Canada Synod. He was a friend and an inspiration. I hope and trust you are well, and I hope comforted by the electronic warmth of family and friends in these days of pandemic. Drew Blackwell

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Ronald , Merle Newmaster& Family planted a tree in memory of Rev. Vernon Cronmiller

Monday, March 30, 2020

We pray the love of God enfolds you during your journey through grief.

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Karen Kuhnert uploaded photo(s)

Monday, March 30, 2020

Dearest Bette and family, it is with a thankful heart to God for Vern's life, that I write this morning. He was, and you are, dear to me. Bette, in particular he would want me to remind you that you are loved and you are not alone, you are remembered and embraced. Vern was an inspiration and an affirmation. He inspired me to continue in my many Archives projects in order to continue the work of his Dad, Carl Cronmiller, the premier historian of our Church. Vern was a faithful son. In the time of helping him clear out and move from the apartment we had many conversations about you Bette, and you kids and extended family, he was a faithful family man. In expressions of his hopes and disappointments regarding the church of our time he always wanted to call the church towards it's ever-better and best nature, particularly on behalf of the poor and vulnerable, he was a faithful church-man..In the last decades when he wrote so many letters, called for appointments to the Bishops and Principal Deans, called forth and called us out as clergy colleagues in our changing world he wanted us to know and live the calling of Christ on the cross, he was a son of the Son. He is with God, of this I have no doubt. I know that he would be deeply grieved to have parted without a loving touch to you all, a chance to share his tender tears. I am imagining him being received into the kingdom by Jesus and also the many refugees who needed him to be a superior global executive and advocate so they could have food and hope amidst their time of global crisis - particularly their time of hunger. I have made a donation to CLWR in Vern's memory - I know that he'd like that. I can't find a picture of any of our many dinner parties, or our trips to the Archives etc. at the moment, but here is 1980 Canada Lutheran announcement of his appointment to GHDA and a more recent picture from our Retired Rostered Leaders gatherings. And finally, I enclose a 1961 picture from his Seminary graduation, a time when a handsome Vern and a beautiful Bette were vibrant members of the campus scene. With deep affection, Rev. Karen Kuhnert, Archivist of the Eastern Synod.

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Cindy Jacobsen posted a condolence

Monday, March 30, 2020

Dear Betty, David and I send our sincerest condolences to you. Vern is now caught up in the presence of his loving God forevermore. Peace to you and your family. Cindy and David Jacobsen

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The family of Rev. Vernon Norman Cronmiller uploaded a photo

Sunday, March 29, 2020