Anita Applauds – The Life and Legacy of Rev. Rachel Johns

“I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason, I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers.” Ephesians 1: 15-16

Presbytery Friends, Every morning I wake up grateful for the love of Christ being expressed through faithful disciples in our Lake Erie Presbytery. Every day my prayers are full of joy for your commitment and service. In my role as General Presbyter, I am privileged to see a broad view of church life in this presbytery. I see ordinary acts of faith expressed consistently year after year. I also see extraordinary expressions of loving service. Both often go largely unnoticed as dedicated Christians quietly serve in Christ’s name without fanfare or applause. With this in mind,, I will highlight a mission or ministry of one of our churches that valiantly reflects the love of Christ. I hope that you will join me in giving thanks for these ministries.

This month, Anita Applauds . . . . the life and legacy of Rev. Rachel Johns (12/21/1949-9/13/2025). This morning (9/17) I went to two memorial services remembering Rachel Johns. The first was at Worship on Wednesday (WOW), a worshipping community of disabled people and their caregivers, that Rachel formed with Presbyterian Church of the Redeemer, Meadville in 2012. It was one of the most meaningful funerals I have attended. There were free-flowing tears and expressions of grief as they consoled one another. There were stories and sayings, both serious and humorous. There was singing of her favorite hymns. There were simple statements of faith like, “Rachel loved God so Rachel is now in heaven.” Throughout, there was a raw honesty and a profound collection of one-sentence narratives from more than a dozen people (~20). Remembrances of her life were shared plainly and without much commentary. Rachel, along with Commissioned Pastor Rose Hilliard (Linesville Presbyterian) have clearly become the pastors for this unique church community. WOW honored Rachel’s life and ministry and will continue to do so by its ongoing vitality. If you’ve never experienced this kind of unpolished, undecorated love before, I recommend trying it. WOW meets at 10 AM every Wednesday at New Beginnings Church of God, 13226 Leslie Road in Meadville.

Rev. Anita Bernhardt / General Presbyter of the Presbytery of Lake Erie