Thursday, July 8, 2021
This is a colossal loss to the Church of Christ and to all the many, many people who loved Rene and were notably aware of all his remarkable gifts. Even in the large crowd of vibrant, talented young people who gathered at Grace Church in NYC in the 80s and 90s, he stood out. In particular, he was greatly valued by all of us who were on the clergy staff at that time. I am writing a letter to Jennifer, but I want to post publicly here that this sudden and unexpected death has come as a body blow to all who knew him as a friend, a leader, a rock of strength and conscience. It would not be too much to say that he was greatly loved.
To all the petitions that have been and are being said on behalf of his bereaved family, I add my deepest sympathy as well as a prayer of confidence that we shall meet again in glory and will know one another in the presence of our living Lord.
--The Rev. Fleming Rutledge
