JaniceMarie, Child of God, has Transitioned

A good friend of our church has passed. JaniceMarie Echols transitioned into the heavenly light on Christmas Day, 2021. Surrounded by her family who held her with their love, her spirit left its earthly form to shine its brilliance in other ways. We will miss her immensely.

JaniceMarie Echols

Obituary:

JaniceMarie (née Mastantuono) Echols of West Chester, OH, transitioned December 25^th, 2021. She was born on October 21, 1942, in Cleveland, OH, to the late Albert and Rose (née Sgro) Mastantuono.

Continuing to honor her life are her husband Clark, and children Janine (Todd) Moore, Mary Beth Schrudder (née Dukes), and Michael James (Angie,) brother Albert (Kathy) Mastantuono, and grandson Spencer Ryan Schrudder. She is preceded in death by her sister, Joanne Sage (née Mastantuono).

JaniceMarie’s spiritual journey took her from her Catholic upbringing, to the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, to Sparrowhawk Village Church, to the Catholic Apostolic Church of Antioch, to the Sophia Foundation. Her devotion to spiritual development included being ordained three times!

Her personality was joyful, selfless and compassionate. She had a wonderful sense of humor, a quick wit and charm. And feisty. And Italian! She looked for any excuse to proclaim her Italian heritage, many time affecting an accent!

JaniceMarie was also wise. A natural counselor whose advice was valued by all. She handled every situation as a peacemaker.

A favorite pastime these last few years was taking her grandson to Menchie’s and Starbucks. She would never use her rewards stars for herself.

She was a supporter of a great number of social justice, religious and political causes.

Her guilty pleasure was the silly personality tests on social media. And dark chocolate.

The sound of her laughter will never be forgotten.

A Celebration of her life will be held at the Glendale New Church, 845 Congress Ave, Glendale, OH 45246 on Sunday, January 9, 2022 at 1 PM.

Contributions in her memory – in lieu of flowers, please – may be made to Bethany House Services. Online at: https://bethanyhouseservices.org/donate/

or by mail: Bethany House Services, 1841 Fairmount Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45214

Saturday’s Virtual Convention Events

Saturday, June 27 — All times are Listed in Eastern Daylight Time

Facebook (comment-enabled) & Swedenborg.org (view only)

+12:00 PM — Black Lives Matter: A Call to Reflection, Prayer, and Action with Dr. Rebecca Esterson, Terrie Crenshaw, Rev. Gladys Wheaton, Rev. Shada Sullivan, and Rev. Anna Woofenden

+1:00 PM — Memorial Worship Service with Rev. Rachel Madjerac with musical prelude by Rev. Ken Turley

+2:00 PM — Keynote Presentation entitled For Heaven’s Sake by Rev. Dr. George F. Dole with an introduction from Rev. Dr. Jim Lawrence, followed by live Q&A

+3:00 PM — Mini-Course: Spiritual Cinema: Swedenborg at the Movies with Dr. Devin Zuber, followed by live Q&A

+4:00 PM — Mini-Course: The Death of God in T.S. Eliot; The Death of the Church in Swedenborg with Rev. Dr. David Fekete, followed by live Q&A

+5:00 PM — Mini-Course: Blessed are the Peacemakers: How You and Your Church Can Successfully Facilitate Political Dialogue in a Polarized Society with Rev. Rich Tafel, followed by live Q&A

+7:00 PM — Swedenborgian Church Youth League Worship Service followed by live Q&A with Youth Leader Kurt Fekete & the SCYL Officers