More than 700 members of his congregation and the Greater Sudbury community gathered together this afternoon at All Nations Church, to pay tribute to the husband, father, friend and pastor, Jeremy Mahood.
For all that it was a sombre occasion, filled with tears over time lost and memories shared, the afternoon had an unmistakable underlining of faith - both spiritually and in the strength of the community Mahood left behind.
Mahood, 69, passed away suddenly June 4. He was the senior pastor of All Nations Church for 40 years, but his relationship with the Sudbury community extends far beyond the responsibilities of that particular role. Referred to by many in attendance as "Sudbury's shephard," Mahood was involved in a variety of community programs including 'The Landmark' integrated housing for seniors and families, and the Elgin Street Mission.
In addition to this, Mahood was the long-term chaplain for the Greater Sudbury Police Service, life coach and chaplain of the Sudbury Wolves, Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Club, musician, and author.
With all the accomplishments of Mahood's life, friends and family in attendance say it was the relationships he formed over the years that were the source of his pride, and that was what was celebrated today.
Mahood is survived by his mother Jean, wife of 44 years, Eileen, daughters Erin and Meghan, son-in-law Jeff, and grandchildren Samantha, Rachael, Jeremy, Hannah, Rosaleen and Michaela.
"Jeremy had many roles in our family. Jean and Kit called him son, Poppy and Violet Magee called him grandson, Eileen called her husband Jerr," said Mahood's cousin John Strand in a personal tribute to the pastor.
"So many names we carry in one lifetime, but as a family, the name we knew which was the most important of all for Jeremy was the names that Jesus Christ called him - 'my forgiven,' 'my beloved,' 'my redeemed,' 'my good and faithful servant.' "
Many years ago, before the two families were joined in marriage, Strand was invited to live with Mahood while working as an associate pastor at All Nations Church for a summer internship. With stories of the pastor's music career and his old 1968 purple Shelby Cobra, Strand paid tribute to the influence of Mahood's youth on his style as a leader and child of God.
"Jeremy Mahood, the rebellious teen that didn't want to listen, became the man that acted immediately when God whispered in his ear 'that's your intern," said Strand. "For that obedience, for the fact that Jeremy had learned to listen when God spoke, I am grateful personally, for it changed the course of my life."
It was his youth and the influence of those around him, that made Mahood into the pastor that insisted on open accountability, looked for effective and exceptional programming, was highly relational and a visionary leader to all, as described by All Nations elder Mike Tulloch in his eulogy. "Simply put, he wanted to do things differently, he wanted to live on the edge," said Tulloch.
To see evidence of Mahood's innovative and determined spirit, you need not look farther than All Nations' unique structure, Plunge in the Park, or the church's annual living nativity, said Tulloch. "His generosity...and acceptance of everyone really has become the hallmark or the raison d'etre of this church - it's Jeremy's generosity shining through."
Over the past week, people around the globe have been sharing stories of how the pastor shared affirmation, comfort, support and genuine love with them, which is a testament to Mahood's generous spirit, said All Nations Pastor John Felsman.
"Our loss today is great, but our faith today is strong, and today we surrender our trust and put our hope today in God," said Felsman.
This was easier for some more than others, as pointed out by Gerry Lougheed Jr., who while secure in the belief that his brother in faith had reached heaven, felt little comfort in knowing that this meant he had lost a friend in life.
"I get the amen, there's no problem with the amen, I'm having a lot of difficulty with the why and I can I even give you a name with the why, why Jeremy," said Lougheed.
"As a funeral director for 45 years I know I have the right, maybe even the need, to say the why and not expect an answer, and that's the best part of this particular sentence. We can ask why, get it off our chest, and not expect that you're going to get an answer to the why."
Lougheed continued, "But you know what, Jeremy would give us an answer to the why, and you know what he would say? Jeremy would tell you and me to trust in God's ways, and I gotta tell you today as I stand before you friends, family and community, it's still tough, but using Jeremy's light of life I think he can help us through this."
Referencing once more, Mahood's role as a shepherd to his congregation and the Greater Sudbury community, Lougheed lead those in attendance in reciting Psalm 23, which concludes, fittingly, with the words, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever."
