
Rest in Peace, Father Massie
James Stannard Massie, Jr died peacefully in his sleep on Friday, June 27, 2014 in Columbus, OH. He was born on June 20, 1942 in Chicago, IL to James and Hope Massie. Jim is survived by Kathleen Salisbury Massie, his wife of fifty years who was with him on a biking trip at the time of his sudden death. He was a loving father to Deborah Boschert (Jeffrey) of Lewisville, TX and Joanna Stein (Matthew) of North Hollywood, CA and a devoted grandfather to Claire Boschert, Benjamin Boschert and Kristofer Stein. He is also survived by his sister Joy Snider (Mel) of Boise, ID and many nieces and nephews. He was ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church in 1969 and served churches in Minnesota, Kansas, Nebraska and most recently at Grace Episcopal Church in Lockport, NY. The impact of his ministry and love continues through the many people touched by his ministry in church and community. Jim and Kathy retired to their home on Lake Ontario in 1998 where they enjoyed watching sunsets and the changing of the seasons. They also loved to travel, finding adventure in many far away and interesting places where Jim always found a way to embrace local traditions and connect with people. Jim was an active cyclist riding in 20 countries and 37 states. He cherished time with his grandchildren including taking them on hiking trips, museum adventures, eating ice cream, making s’mores and playing games at home. He was a gardener, Miata enthusiast, avid reader and political activist. He served on community boards and volunteered with many organizations. Jim continued to minister in local churches where he was known for his colorful, patterned socks and his down-to-earth, humorous and thoughtful sermons. He will be greatly missed and remembered with love. There will be a reception on Tuesday, July 1 from 4 to 6 pm. A Memorial Service will be Wednesday, July 2 at 11 am. Both events will be at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Burt, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jim’s name to Episcopal Relief and Development, www.episcopalrelief.org, P.O. Box 7058 Merrifield, VA 22116-7058.
James Stannard Massie, Jr died peacefully in his sleep on Friday, June 27, 2014 in Columbus, OH. He was born on June 20, 1942 in Chicago, IL to James and Hope Massie. Jim is survived by Kathleen Salisbury Massie, his wife of fifty years who was with him on a biking trip at the time of his sudden death. He was a loving father to Deborah Boschert (Jeffrey) of Lewisville, TX and Joanna Stein (Matthew) of North Hollywood, CA and a devoted grandfather to Claire Boschert, Benjamin Boschert and Kristofer Stein. He is also survived by his sister Joy Snider (Mel) of Boise, ID and many nieces and nephews. He was ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church in 1969 and served churches in Minnesota, Kansas, Nebraska and most recently at Grace Episcopal Church in Lockport, NY. The impact of his ministry and love continues through the many people touched by his ministry in church and community. Jim and Kathy retired to their home on Lake Ontario in 1998 where they enjoyed watching sunsets and the changing of the seasons. They also loved to travel, finding adventure in many far away and interesting places where Jim always found a way to embrace local traditions and connect with people. Jim was an active cyclist riding in 20 countries and 37 states. He cherished time with his grandchildren including taking them on hiking trips, museum adventures, eating ice cream, making s’mores and playing games at home. He was a gardener, Miata enthusiast, avid reader and political activist. He served on community boards and volunteered with many organizations. Jim continued to minister in local churches where he was known for his colorful, patterned socks and his down-to-earth, humorous and thoughtful sermons. He will be greatly missed and remembered with love. There will be a reception on Tuesday, July 1 from 4 to 6 pm. A Memorial Service will be Wednesday, July 2 at 11 am. Both events will be at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Burt, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jim’s name to Episcopal Relief and Development, www.episcopalrelief.org, P.O. Box 7058 Merrifield, VA 22116-7058.
Our Stories
-- We were attending church at Grace church in Lockport one Sunday at the time that Jim was the priest at Grace. He was giving his sermon about different times of crisis in our lives. He added that he himself had a midlife crisis and he thought that an affair or a new sports car would help. He ended his sermon be adding that Kathy told him that he could get a sports car. Thus, he bought his Miata. [Lizzy Depew]
-- Jim & Kathy were big music fans. They asked us to go to a Don Felder, Styx, & Foreigner concert near Corning last week, but we couldn't make it. Their son-in -law works for Don Felder. [Doug & Bonnie Wintersteen]
-- When I was really little as he was walking down the aisle he stopped and smiled at me and asked me if I was trying to be taller than him because I was standing on the kneeler. [Melissa Pestinger]
-- Jim was always there for my family in good times and in hard times. He always had a smile to match his bright socks and I was always thankful that he would single out Jonathan and tell him a joke or something cute. Jon always knew he had a friend in Jim. [Nancy Pestinger]
-- One Easter time at St. Andrew's, the story got out that he took a rather nasty tumble off his bike. So appropriately, on Easter Sunday, the Easter Bunny had left an Easter basket for Jim. He found a beautiful decorated basket that contained a nice new set of training wheels for his bike. [Lizzy Depew]
-- Jim was so great with Mike. He and Mike had a great time laughing about humorous things. He always came to the hospital and spiritually uplifted Mike and me. His sermons gave us a glimpse of your lives, travels and family with doses of the Lord's gifts.
-- Dear Massie Family, I sincerely had the privilege of knowing Jim. I'm glad to have gone on a few local bike rides with him. He often made me feel like I am a good parent as he would refer to my children in his sermons as we once lived down the road from them. He truly helped my father at the time of his passing. I will certainly miss him and think of him often. [Justin Naylor]
-- I will miss Jim riding by our house on his bike. We have some great memories of him. [Darcy & Bill]
-- A specific memory - there are so many - instead the following is who Father Jim Massie was to me: he was the friendly greeter who immediately re-embraced me at St. Andrew's; he was my solutions man for getting my husband to attend church; he would sit behind me at church and show me his socks of the Sunday or share a great story about his grandchildren; he spoke with my eldest son, Will, frequently bridging that gap in generational communication; he spoke the language of basketball always inquiring about NCCC and Michigan; he was my coffee hour friend; and he was always eager to listen and share his love of traveled life. I will miss him dearly in this human life and look forward to seeing him again in God's Kingdom. Kathy and family, what an awesome legacy he has left. Love and strength to you all! Thank you for sharing Jim. Your friend, Natalie Beilein
-- Jim was a special man. I enjoyed Kathy greeting one and all. Very special people.
-- We will always remember Jim standing every Sunday outside Grace Church, Lockport, greeting everyone as they entered the church. God Bless, Pauline & Wes Wright
-- Jim was a man who cared about everybody. He married Margaret and me. God is getting a new man who can help him anyway he can.
-- Jim Massie was a wonderful man and a good priest. He married Morris and Margaret Moran on April 10, 1999. A man who I will never forget. At the same time Kathy is in my prayers. [Margaret Moran]
-- I liked the way Jim gave the sermons and his sense of humor. [Sam Payne]
-- When I was new to St. Andrew's, both Jim and Kathy reached out to me during coffee hour and made me feel welcome - a friendly hospitality tag team! I especially enjoyed Jim's dry sense of humor, and one of my favorite examples of this was when I was a rookie on the altar as a Eucharistic Minister and Jim was the celebrant. I was new and still trying to figure out the "moves", so when it was time to exit the altar and process out, I did a few turns and was clearly confused. Jim said to me in a stage whisper "You can get in, you just can't get out". [Lynn Schauer- Bewley]
-- Stopping for a drink, cookies, ice cream, spoiling my dog, always there when needed. [Flo Phipps]
-- Jim always visiting me when I was sick. He always got me something when I was going to the hospital. He would always answer my questions about history. [Mike Vogt]
-- When I had surgery and I was laid up for several weeks, Judith was on vacation and one free summer day Jim showed up at my mother's house on his bike in full biking regalia (in the colors of the Episcopal church) to give me communion - bike helmet and all. He was a sight but also just what I needed! [Stacy]
-- We remember our first Sunday at St. Andrew's - it was the church picnic - and Jim got up and welcomed us and made a beginning donation to Rocky's discretionary fund. He has not ceased to be a mentor and his wisdom will always be remembered. [Rocky & Di]
-- I first met Jim at the General Convention in New Orleans in 1982, in one of those precious and unexpected moments the Church can provide. Jim was a deputy from Nebraska (I believe he was Rector or Vicar of a small congregation in Grand Junction). I was conducting the open hearing on the proposed Hymnal 1982.
Jim spoke passionately against the proposal to drop the hymn “Stand up for Jesus.” He spoke about the stained glass window over the Narthex door depicting the Risen Lord, and the ascription “Stand up for Jesus” that congregants would see as thy exited after worship. As was the custom in the late 19th century, wealthy benefactors in the East would assist in establishing mission congregations in the areas of the Louisiana Purchase. Jim related that one such benefactor gave the Eucharistic vessels in memory of her late husband (a priest in Philadelphia) and the chalice and paten were inscribed “Stand Up for Jesus.” Needless to say, Jim's story influenced the convention.
As fun as that story might be, my lasting memory of Jim associates with his loyalty to the Church, his love of this Diocese and the clergy. Not to mention his colorful socks. [Father Harry Grace]
-- I have so many memories of Jim, but, the one uppermost in my mind is how, when we clergy were gathered for an event-- ordination, celebration of new ministry, etc. --sometimes tension would be an undercurrent.... Who knows why ....... But then Jim would saunter in, dapper as always, needle pointed briefcase in hand and the tension would seep out of the room. He was a pillar of "unflappability"
There wasn't a situation about which he didn't have a story to tell from his long history as priest.
I had so much more to learn from him, may we never forget all he stood for and may we maintain good humor and whimsy in his honor. [The Rev. Cathy Dempesy-Sims]
-- Father Massie was the reason we chose St. Andrew’s as our church family He preached the service we visited in 1999. After visiting quite a few other churches, we loved his captivating sermon. After church we watched him get in his little convertible and drive off. We instantly thought, ”This is the coolest church ever!” And we have never felt the need to visit anywhere else. [Kim & Jerry Mazanka]
-- When I came to this diocese from Long Island in 1996, I was retired and the principal caregiver for my wife, Pauline. She was in the 8th year since her diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease. Within a short time I was contacted by Fr. Ken Connor, Chaplain to the Retired, who welcomed me and offered kind support to me and Pauline. Three years later I joined Ken as a Chaplain to the Retired. Ken died in June 2007 and I took over as the Chaplain.
It was in 2008, that I requested Jim Massie to join me as a chaplain to the retired. We informally divided the diocesan tasks and Jim was constant in his care and concern for retired clergy and "surviving" spouses in the Northern Erie, Genesee, and Niagara Deaneries. In 2011, shortly after Bishop William Franklin became our Bishop, I felt it was time to be "truly retired" and recommended to him that Jim be the "coordinator" of chaplain's activities in our diocese.
Jim carried out that care and responsibility far more effectively than I had done. He was always aware of the emergencies, hardships and needs of the retired clergy, their spouses and the surviving clergy spouses of our diocese. Jim was an advocate for us and a pastor to us in the times when the resources of the Church Pension Group and the Diocese of Western New York were not always available. We learned of difficulties, emergencies, needs and crises facing our retired clergy and their families through the vigilance of Jim.
Personally, I shall miss the loving care of Jim and the knowledge that I had a spokesperson for my concerns as a retired priest. And I add my love to that of so many others, to Kathy, who has participated with Jim as our "voice in the places of decision-making" and our loving comforter in times of pain and sorrow.
May Jim, with all of the faithful departed, rest in peace .... and may he find a place in the heavenly city where he can spend timeless times bicycling on those golden paths. [Bill Wipfler+]
-- So as I think through all of my memories I cannot seem to get his voice out of my head.The quiet and sincere " Is there anything I can do ". I never even said a word. But Jim always had a sense of people. When I was having trouble deciding which way to turn, to stay or to run. His voice would come through and give me that sense that everything will be alright. His stories taught me that we all have mountains to climb no matter who we are. And without mountains life would be pretty dull. I have started to look at the world a little different, listen to my children and take the time to really hear what they are saying, tolerate some of those people that try my patience on a daily basis, take the time to think things through before jumping into a mess of trouble and always to be thankful for everything I have been blessed with. No matter what today might bring tomorrow will be different. I am so thankful to have had Jim in my life. Oh and those socks !!! [Kathy Vogt]
-- About 19 years ago, I was a fairly new father who hadn’t been in a church for many years, despite a parochial education and countless years of Sunday School. I had been raised in a conservative Lutheran church and that was really all I knew about church, how it was and what to expect.
As our daughter approached her 3 years old, my wife started pushing to get her baptized. I agreed, reluctantly, to take her to “Mom’s Church” and get it done. “Mom’s Church” as it turned out, was Grace, Lockport. The Rector at the time was Jim Massie. We met briefly, he seemed like a decent enough guy and I felt a little better about the whole thing.
As we sat, with Godparents and In-Laws all around, the service unfolded. It was familiar enough to be comfortable, but with enough differences to catch my attention. Then came the sermon. Jim told a brief story and then did something quite unexpected (only by me), he told a joke. Right there, from the pulpit, in front of God and everyone else, he told a joke. It wasn’t particularly funny, but I remember it to this day. The joke has stuck with me as has the man.
Here, for the first time, someone was talking to me about a God who smiled. Jim was like that, he smiled. And, as I’ve learned since, he makes his point in a less than blunt way yet with an economy of words.
Not long after that baptism, our family walked into St. Andrew’s for the first time. I will be forever grateful to Jim for the example he set and for starting my family on the path that brought us into the Episcopal Church. Thank you, my friend, and Godspeed. [Martin Gregg]
-- When Jim first bought his Mazda Miata, we went out to lunch and then for a drive - with the top down - on the skyway. He loved that car and he loved showing it off. One of the things I saw modeled in Jim was a true love of life and joy and thankfulness for fun and the pleasures of being alive. [The Rev. Barbara Price]
-- Even though I have only been here in WNY for a year, I must express great sadness at Jim's sudden death. When I arrived here at Trinity last summer, I found Jim's card on my desk one day. He had visited when I was out…just to welcome me to Buffalo and make contact. He followed that up with an email and phone call. What a holy example to me of genuine care and collegial ministry! Such a simple gesture and effort which made such a sacred and lasting impression. May he be welcomed into his heavenly home with the same enthusiasm. [The Rev. Daphne Messersmith]
-- Two years ago, I was thinking about serving as long-term supply at Grace Church, Lockport. I was seriously thinking about passing the opportunity up, because I had heard some truly negative things about the congregation and their relationship with previous clergy. At our clergy retreat, Jim came and introduced himself to me. He said he heard that I was considering filling in at Grace Church. I told him I didn't think I was going to accept the assignment. Jim told me that he knew I'd probably heard some bad things about the parish, but that he'd had a very different experience with them. He told me that he had loved his eight years as Rector of Grace Church, and that he had loved the people. Jim is the reason that I said yes to Grace Church. I owe him my livelihood here, and my experience with the congregation, the staff, the neighborhood, and the city I now love and serve.
In May 2014, I invited Jim to the unveiling celebration of the preliminary architectural plans for the new family center we hope to open here at Grace Church. He showed up that evening with bells (and crazy knee socks) on. It was a nerve-wracking event for me, because I didn't have any idea how the congregation would receive the plans. At the reception before the unveiling, Jim came up and gave me a beautiful white stained glass dove. He told me it had been made out of some of the stained glass salvaged after the fire in the mid 1979's. He said it had been given to him because he was the Rector of Grace Church. He remembered that it was in his attic. He said he thought I should have it because I am now the Rector of Grace Church. He said that several rectors had come and gone since he had been here. He said that someday, when another Rector is serving here, I may choose to give the dove to that person, but that I should wait and give it only to someone I know will be good for the parish, will last over the long haul, and someone I truly believe in. It brought tears to my eyes to have that touching vote of confidence from a colleague I loved and respected so much. I hugged him and said, "I love you Jim Massie." I'm so glad I told him that when I had the opportunity! I never dreamed I wouldn't have the chance for much longer.
Some members if the congregation expressed real fears about the project that night. Jim asked me whether the invitation included permission to speak. I told him, "please go for it!" He spoke very eloquently in favor of the family center project. His vote of confidence and support helped reassure several of those present.
I will be forever grateful to God for giving us a wonderful mentor, example, and colleague in Jim Massie. I will miss him greatly. [Rev. Cynthia Sever]
-- Jim & Kathy were big music fans. They asked us to go to a Don Felder, Styx, & Foreigner concert near Corning last week, but we couldn't make it. Their son-in -law works for Don Felder. [Doug & Bonnie Wintersteen]
-- When I was really little as he was walking down the aisle he stopped and smiled at me and asked me if I was trying to be taller than him because I was standing on the kneeler. [Melissa Pestinger]
-- Jim was always there for my family in good times and in hard times. He always had a smile to match his bright socks and I was always thankful that he would single out Jonathan and tell him a joke or something cute. Jon always knew he had a friend in Jim. [Nancy Pestinger]
-- One Easter time at St. Andrew's, the story got out that he took a rather nasty tumble off his bike. So appropriately, on Easter Sunday, the Easter Bunny had left an Easter basket for Jim. He found a beautiful decorated basket that contained a nice new set of training wheels for his bike. [Lizzy Depew]
-- Jim was so great with Mike. He and Mike had a great time laughing about humorous things. He always came to the hospital and spiritually uplifted Mike and me. His sermons gave us a glimpse of your lives, travels and family with doses of the Lord's gifts.
-- Dear Massie Family, I sincerely had the privilege of knowing Jim. I'm glad to have gone on a few local bike rides with him. He often made me feel like I am a good parent as he would refer to my children in his sermons as we once lived down the road from them. He truly helped my father at the time of his passing. I will certainly miss him and think of him often. [Justin Naylor]
-- I will miss Jim riding by our house on his bike. We have some great memories of him. [Darcy & Bill]
-- A specific memory - there are so many - instead the following is who Father Jim Massie was to me: he was the friendly greeter who immediately re-embraced me at St. Andrew's; he was my solutions man for getting my husband to attend church; he would sit behind me at church and show me his socks of the Sunday or share a great story about his grandchildren; he spoke with my eldest son, Will, frequently bridging that gap in generational communication; he spoke the language of basketball always inquiring about NCCC and Michigan; he was my coffee hour friend; and he was always eager to listen and share his love of traveled life. I will miss him dearly in this human life and look forward to seeing him again in God's Kingdom. Kathy and family, what an awesome legacy he has left. Love and strength to you all! Thank you for sharing Jim. Your friend, Natalie Beilein
-- Jim was a special man. I enjoyed Kathy greeting one and all. Very special people.
-- We will always remember Jim standing every Sunday outside Grace Church, Lockport, greeting everyone as they entered the church. God Bless, Pauline & Wes Wright
-- Jim was a man who cared about everybody. He married Margaret and me. God is getting a new man who can help him anyway he can.
-- Jim Massie was a wonderful man and a good priest. He married Morris and Margaret Moran on April 10, 1999. A man who I will never forget. At the same time Kathy is in my prayers. [Margaret Moran]
-- I liked the way Jim gave the sermons and his sense of humor. [Sam Payne]
-- When I was new to St. Andrew's, both Jim and Kathy reached out to me during coffee hour and made me feel welcome - a friendly hospitality tag team! I especially enjoyed Jim's dry sense of humor, and one of my favorite examples of this was when I was a rookie on the altar as a Eucharistic Minister and Jim was the celebrant. I was new and still trying to figure out the "moves", so when it was time to exit the altar and process out, I did a few turns and was clearly confused. Jim said to me in a stage whisper "You can get in, you just can't get out". [Lynn Schauer- Bewley]
-- Stopping for a drink, cookies, ice cream, spoiling my dog, always there when needed. [Flo Phipps]
-- Jim always visiting me when I was sick. He always got me something when I was going to the hospital. He would always answer my questions about history. [Mike Vogt]
-- When I had surgery and I was laid up for several weeks, Judith was on vacation and one free summer day Jim showed up at my mother's house on his bike in full biking regalia (in the colors of the Episcopal church) to give me communion - bike helmet and all. He was a sight but also just what I needed! [Stacy]
-- We remember our first Sunday at St. Andrew's - it was the church picnic - and Jim got up and welcomed us and made a beginning donation to Rocky's discretionary fund. He has not ceased to be a mentor and his wisdom will always be remembered. [Rocky & Di]
-- I first met Jim at the General Convention in New Orleans in 1982, in one of those precious and unexpected moments the Church can provide. Jim was a deputy from Nebraska (I believe he was Rector or Vicar of a small congregation in Grand Junction). I was conducting the open hearing on the proposed Hymnal 1982.
Jim spoke passionately against the proposal to drop the hymn “Stand up for Jesus.” He spoke about the stained glass window over the Narthex door depicting the Risen Lord, and the ascription “Stand up for Jesus” that congregants would see as thy exited after worship. As was the custom in the late 19th century, wealthy benefactors in the East would assist in establishing mission congregations in the areas of the Louisiana Purchase. Jim related that one such benefactor gave the Eucharistic vessels in memory of her late husband (a priest in Philadelphia) and the chalice and paten were inscribed “Stand Up for Jesus.” Needless to say, Jim's story influenced the convention.
As fun as that story might be, my lasting memory of Jim associates with his loyalty to the Church, his love of this Diocese and the clergy. Not to mention his colorful socks. [Father Harry Grace]
-- I have so many memories of Jim, but, the one uppermost in my mind is how, when we clergy were gathered for an event-- ordination, celebration of new ministry, etc. --sometimes tension would be an undercurrent.... Who knows why ....... But then Jim would saunter in, dapper as always, needle pointed briefcase in hand and the tension would seep out of the room. He was a pillar of "unflappability"
There wasn't a situation about which he didn't have a story to tell from his long history as priest.
I had so much more to learn from him, may we never forget all he stood for and may we maintain good humor and whimsy in his honor. [The Rev. Cathy Dempesy-Sims]
-- Father Massie was the reason we chose St. Andrew’s as our church family He preached the service we visited in 1999. After visiting quite a few other churches, we loved his captivating sermon. After church we watched him get in his little convertible and drive off. We instantly thought, ”This is the coolest church ever!” And we have never felt the need to visit anywhere else. [Kim & Jerry Mazanka]
-- When I came to this diocese from Long Island in 1996, I was retired and the principal caregiver for my wife, Pauline. She was in the 8th year since her diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease. Within a short time I was contacted by Fr. Ken Connor, Chaplain to the Retired, who welcomed me and offered kind support to me and Pauline. Three years later I joined Ken as a Chaplain to the Retired. Ken died in June 2007 and I took over as the Chaplain.
It was in 2008, that I requested Jim Massie to join me as a chaplain to the retired. We informally divided the diocesan tasks and Jim was constant in his care and concern for retired clergy and "surviving" spouses in the Northern Erie, Genesee, and Niagara Deaneries. In 2011, shortly after Bishop William Franklin became our Bishop, I felt it was time to be "truly retired" and recommended to him that Jim be the "coordinator" of chaplain's activities in our diocese.
Jim carried out that care and responsibility far more effectively than I had done. He was always aware of the emergencies, hardships and needs of the retired clergy, their spouses and the surviving clergy spouses of our diocese. Jim was an advocate for us and a pastor to us in the times when the resources of the Church Pension Group and the Diocese of Western New York were not always available. We learned of difficulties, emergencies, needs and crises facing our retired clergy and their families through the vigilance of Jim.
Personally, I shall miss the loving care of Jim and the knowledge that I had a spokesperson for my concerns as a retired priest. And I add my love to that of so many others, to Kathy, who has participated with Jim as our "voice in the places of decision-making" and our loving comforter in times of pain and sorrow.
May Jim, with all of the faithful departed, rest in peace .... and may he find a place in the heavenly city where he can spend timeless times bicycling on those golden paths. [Bill Wipfler+]
-- So as I think through all of my memories I cannot seem to get his voice out of my head.The quiet and sincere " Is there anything I can do ". I never even said a word. But Jim always had a sense of people. When I was having trouble deciding which way to turn, to stay or to run. His voice would come through and give me that sense that everything will be alright. His stories taught me that we all have mountains to climb no matter who we are. And without mountains life would be pretty dull. I have started to look at the world a little different, listen to my children and take the time to really hear what they are saying, tolerate some of those people that try my patience on a daily basis, take the time to think things through before jumping into a mess of trouble and always to be thankful for everything I have been blessed with. No matter what today might bring tomorrow will be different. I am so thankful to have had Jim in my life. Oh and those socks !!! [Kathy Vogt]
-- About 19 years ago, I was a fairly new father who hadn’t been in a church for many years, despite a parochial education and countless years of Sunday School. I had been raised in a conservative Lutheran church and that was really all I knew about church, how it was and what to expect.
As our daughter approached her 3 years old, my wife started pushing to get her baptized. I agreed, reluctantly, to take her to “Mom’s Church” and get it done. “Mom’s Church” as it turned out, was Grace, Lockport. The Rector at the time was Jim Massie. We met briefly, he seemed like a decent enough guy and I felt a little better about the whole thing.
As we sat, with Godparents and In-Laws all around, the service unfolded. It was familiar enough to be comfortable, but with enough differences to catch my attention. Then came the sermon. Jim told a brief story and then did something quite unexpected (only by me), he told a joke. Right there, from the pulpit, in front of God and everyone else, he told a joke. It wasn’t particularly funny, but I remember it to this day. The joke has stuck with me as has the man.
Here, for the first time, someone was talking to me about a God who smiled. Jim was like that, he smiled. And, as I’ve learned since, he makes his point in a less than blunt way yet with an economy of words.
Not long after that baptism, our family walked into St. Andrew’s for the first time. I will be forever grateful to Jim for the example he set and for starting my family on the path that brought us into the Episcopal Church. Thank you, my friend, and Godspeed. [Martin Gregg]
-- When Jim first bought his Mazda Miata, we went out to lunch and then for a drive - with the top down - on the skyway. He loved that car and he loved showing it off. One of the things I saw modeled in Jim was a true love of life and joy and thankfulness for fun and the pleasures of being alive. [The Rev. Barbara Price]
-- Even though I have only been here in WNY for a year, I must express great sadness at Jim's sudden death. When I arrived here at Trinity last summer, I found Jim's card on my desk one day. He had visited when I was out…just to welcome me to Buffalo and make contact. He followed that up with an email and phone call. What a holy example to me of genuine care and collegial ministry! Such a simple gesture and effort which made such a sacred and lasting impression. May he be welcomed into his heavenly home with the same enthusiasm. [The Rev. Daphne Messersmith]
-- Two years ago, I was thinking about serving as long-term supply at Grace Church, Lockport. I was seriously thinking about passing the opportunity up, because I had heard some truly negative things about the congregation and their relationship with previous clergy. At our clergy retreat, Jim came and introduced himself to me. He said he heard that I was considering filling in at Grace Church. I told him I didn't think I was going to accept the assignment. Jim told me that he knew I'd probably heard some bad things about the parish, but that he'd had a very different experience with them. He told me that he had loved his eight years as Rector of Grace Church, and that he had loved the people. Jim is the reason that I said yes to Grace Church. I owe him my livelihood here, and my experience with the congregation, the staff, the neighborhood, and the city I now love and serve.
In May 2014, I invited Jim to the unveiling celebration of the preliminary architectural plans for the new family center we hope to open here at Grace Church. He showed up that evening with bells (and crazy knee socks) on. It was a nerve-wracking event for me, because I didn't have any idea how the congregation would receive the plans. At the reception before the unveiling, Jim came up and gave me a beautiful white stained glass dove. He told me it had been made out of some of the stained glass salvaged after the fire in the mid 1979's. He said it had been given to him because he was the Rector of Grace Church. He remembered that it was in his attic. He said he thought I should have it because I am now the Rector of Grace Church. He said that several rectors had come and gone since he had been here. He said that someday, when another Rector is serving here, I may choose to give the dove to that person, but that I should wait and give it only to someone I know will be good for the parish, will last over the long haul, and someone I truly believe in. It brought tears to my eyes to have that touching vote of confidence from a colleague I loved and respected so much. I hugged him and said, "I love you Jim Massie." I'm so glad I told him that when I had the opportunity! I never dreamed I wouldn't have the chance for much longer.
Some members if the congregation expressed real fears about the project that night. Jim asked me whether the invitation included permission to speak. I told him, "please go for it!" He spoke very eloquently in favor of the family center project. His vote of confidence and support helped reassure several of those present.
I will be forever grateful to God for giving us a wonderful mentor, example, and colleague in Jim Massie. I will miss him greatly. [Rev. Cynthia Sever]