By Sister Angelena Spears, 1st Episcopal District
Philadelphia Church Mourns the Loss of Their Beloved Pastor – the Rev. Donald Burems, Sr.
By Sister Angelena Spears, 1st Episcopal District
Philadelphia Conference Reporter
On Thursday October 28, members of the St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church, located in the Paschall community of Philadelphia, said goodbye to their pastor of 17 years—the Rev. Donald Burems, Sr.
Although the service was video recorded on Facebook, the church was filled with members and clergy who joined the family in celebrating his life.
The Rev. Burems, 65, was the husband of Linda Davis Burems. The couple had been married 40 years and have four children and 10 grandchildren. In addition to being a pastor, he had also been a gifted musician and vocalist. During the service, one of his sons sang a signature song of his: My Soul Has Been Anchored in the Lord.
Saint John was the Rev. Burem’s first charge, and for some members – he was the only pastor they had ever had. Throughout the service, the Rev. Burems was remembered as a beloved pastor and devoted family man. It was also noted that he had served as an armor bearer to three bishops in the First Episcopal District: the late Bishop Zedekiah LaZett Grady (111th) and now retired bishops Richard Franklin Norris (116th) who was in attendance, and Gregory G.M. Ingram. (118th).
The officiant for the service was Presiding Elder Rev. Dr. Janet Jenkins Sturdivant. The First District’s newly appointed Bishop, the Right Rev. Julius Harrison McAllister, Sr. (129th) delivered the eulogy, based on 2 Timothy 4. Bishop McAllister drew a parallel between the Apostle Paul’s life and testimony and that of the Rev. Burems as the Rev. Burems had also “fought the good fight and finished the race.” Presiding Elder Sturdivant said, “All of us are here because we loved Rev. Burems. In some ways, he affected all of our lives.”
Both Bishops Norris and Jeffrey Nathaniel Leath (128th) offered words of comfort to the family, and a heartfelt resolution was read from retired Bishop Ingram and Epscopal Supervisor Rev. Dr. Jessica Kendall Ingram. Former Philadelphia Mayor W. Wilson Goode, Sr. was also present and spoke about how the Rev. Burem’s ministry had been a blessing to the entire Paschall community by providing food and clothing for persons in need. “Rev. Burems wasn’t just the pastor of St. John – he was the pastor of the Paschall community,” said Mayor Goode.
When Bishop Norris gave remarks, he marveled that the Rev. Burems had struggled [in the past couple of years] with several medical issues, and yet he had been “a mighty warrior.” “He never apologized for being saved,” said Bishop Norris, “But he always praised God for each day that God gave him. He was a stellar example to all of us who had gone through periods of illness,“ said Bishop Norris. Bishop Norris called the Rev. Burems a “friend and brother [who as he] never let a week go by without calling me and praying with me.” Bishop Leath also spoke very fondly of the Rev. Burems and reminded the congregation of his heavenly reward. “He is among that number who will cast their crowns before the feet of the Lord of Lords,” declared Bishop Leath.
After the service, the Rev. Diana Case, who is a local elder at St. John, said that the Rev. Burems was a stellar leader. “He led us with compassion and conviction…from one degree of grace to another. He was always encouraging us to be our best,” she said.
In the weeks following the Rev. Burems’ death, the Rev. Dr. Janet Sturdivant has provided pastoral leadership for the St. John Church family. She arranged for a series of grief counseling sessions for the membership. The sessions are being led by the Rev. Dr. Wanda Henry-Jenkins who is a professional grief counselor and has written several books on healing after a loss. Elder Sturdivant says she highly recommends grief counseling for any church that loses a pastor.
“The people at St. John really loved the Rev. Burems,” said Elder Sturdivant. She commented that even in his dress, he always “looked” like a preacher. He was fully dressed and always ready for service. His presentation for God was always from a point of readiness, she said.
“If you ask people to share their thoughts about the Rev. Burems, you will always hear the same testimony,” said Elder Sturdivant. “Everyone will remember him for his love of God, his love in being a pastor, and his love for his family. Rev. Burems was truly a remarkable Christian man. He was greatly loved and will be missed by all, she said. “Rest well, our friend!!!”
