Friends, it is with heavy hearts we share the news of the passing of Father Tom Murphy, who served faithfully as our well-beloved rector for 12 years. Father Tom’s funeral service was held on August 28th, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. - and is accessible on the Facebook page of Trinity Episcopal Church in Ashland, Oregon. The video is accessible on the Facebook page if you were unable to experience the liturgy in real time.
From Rev. Jonathan:
“Dear St. Andrew’s family - It is with a heavy heart that I share with you word of the death of Fr. Tom Murphy. I have heard stories of Fr. Murphy’s ministry at St. Andrew’s from many of you and I invite those of you that were in ministry with him to reflect on the impact that he had on your faith. Let us all give thanks for his life and his ministry through St. Andrew’s as he has passed over into his new eternal home with God and his loved ones who have passed. We also pray for all who grieve his passing.”
Father’s Tom obituary is available here.
As Rev. Anne Bartlett said of Father Tom in her eulogy at Trinity Episcopal Church, “He was present as a shepherd. He was a priest - through, and through, and through. Tom was the real deal. His humility was matched only by his integrity.” Rev. Bartlett also recounted Father Tom first leading an education session when he first arrived at Trinity after retiring from Spokane. The story captures him so well. She said, “Well, Tom got up to speak… and with a kindly smile, he began telling us what an honor it was - what a remarkable privilege - he could hardly imagine anything better in the world - than to be here with us that evening in our parish hall to talk about the love of God, about Jesus Christ, and about our faith.” Rev. Bartlett recounted that in response, the congregation began to sit up straight and smile back, perhaps feeling: “If he thinks so highly of being here with us, maybe this is a special occasion… Tom meant every word, and we knew he meant it… It never mattered to Tom how big a congregation was or its status in the diocese…or whether it was located in an important city, or tucked away deep in the mountains… for Tom, it was always an honor and a privilege and a joy to talk about the love of God and to celebrate the eucharist and to more deeply understand what it really means to follow Jesus.”
From Bishop’s Warden Chris Jordan:
“The news came quickly, and hit hard for those of us who were influenced by Father Tom’s kindness, example, and ministry at St. Andrew’s. For me, the words “Father Tom” are inseparable from the words “St. Andrew’s.” While I knew him mostly through the eyes and experiences of a child growing up – he baptized me after all – I was first struck by the reality that he seemed to be “always there” for big moments in our family.
However, Father Tom’s impact on me goes well beyond the pomp and circumstance of “special occasions.” His faithful Christian witness – as evident in his life’s example – is a big part of why I am remain part of the Episcopal Church today.
When I thought back to my childhood, I remembered Father Tom. I remembered his genuine kindness, his warmth, his humble and generous spirit – and the loving way he treated people. I remembered him teaching us about loving your neighbors as yourself, and acting with justice and mercy. I remembered my experience of St. Andrew’s – a community defined by love, by welcome, by giving, by timeless tradition. This vision of what it looks like follow Christ and to be the church – and Father Tom’s integrity in practicing these principles in his life – opened my heart, and helped me see there is a more loving, more hopeful, more thoughtful, more humble way to be a Christian.
I am grateful I got a chance to speak to Father Tom when I had grown up, and to personally thank him for his influence on me.
Let us hold Huberta and Tom’s family in our prayers. And most of all, let us give thanks for this “oak of righteousness” – whose life, friendship and teaching shaped us. May his example, his faith, his humility, and his kindness be an inspiration to us as we seek to live a better life, and build a better world in our time.”
“ and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.”
Isaiah 61:3