Hillside Messenger
Hillside Presbyterian Church Newsletter
June 23, 2022
JAMES REESE OBITUARY

Rev. James Foster Reese, 98, beloved husband of Neola (Parrish) Reese, passed away peacefully on June 17, 2022, at home in West Hartford, CT. He was born on Jan. 3, 1924, in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, the son of the late Lorenzo Reese and Mildred Kennedy.

He was an outstanding and highly acclaimed pastor and leader in the Presbyterian Church as well as an advocate for civil and human rights.

Rev. Reese's family will receive friends on Friday June 24, 2022, from 2-3PM at First Presbyterian Church, 136 Capitol Avenue, Hartford CT., 06106. A funeral service will follow beginning at 3PM. (You can participate via Zoom.) Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family.

Excerpt from Hartford Courant published June 22, 2022

For the complete obituary, condolences or directions, click here.
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Remembering Rev. Reese

Rev. James Foster Reese was a servant-leader who proclaimed the good news of Jesus Christ when and wherever he was. Hillside Presbyterian Church has lost a friend who was glad to come here, be among us and minister to us. He came to Hillside serving as a speaker for the Black History Program co- sponsored by the Samuel H. Johnson SSSP (Summer Study Skills Program) Foundation, Incorporated and other events.

Rev. Reese served by preaching and meeting with Hillside’s congregation and others about stewardship. He could recall so many details of his first pastoral assignment in rural Wilcox County, Alabama. His great memory served us well because he carried much of the history of many (black) Presbyterians in his head.

Luke 19:40, states it well. When thinking of how busy Rev. Reese was, we think of the words of a Negro Spiritual, “I Ain’t Got Time to Die” by Francis Hall Johnson. The following is a paraphrase: ‘Cause it takes all of ma’ time to praise my Jesus … If I don’t praise Him, the rocks gonna cry out, “Glory an’ honor!” I ain’t got time to die.’

God gave his servant just enough time from working here on earth to leave his earthly body as Jesus reached out and took his hand. We will greatly miss this servant of the Lord whom we were so honored to know as a spiritual leader and friend for many, many years.

Robert and Bettie Rounsaville
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Hillside Presbyterian Church Mission Statement
The mission of Hillside Presbyterian Church is that of the church universal: to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ for the salvation of humankind. We are committed to being an inclusive, intergenerational church by creating a caring, Christian community. Hillside reaches out to diverse ethnic and religious groups in our community and beyond to foster a better understanding of all people. We are a servant people, responding to those in need, doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with our God.
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