The Rev. Dr. Steve Morrison remembered for T-shirt evangelism

Readers,

More than 100 people came to Family of God Lutheran Church on Bremerton on Sunday, April 7, to say goodbye to the Rev. Dr. Steve Morrison, who died March 16.

The well-loved pastor built and served at Family of God, and also served as an assistant bishop under retired Bishop David Wold. Wold was on hand Sunday, as was Marcia Riggers, who told those who didn't already know how much Pastor Morrison had lifted up the Community of Lay Ministries. 

Family of God's current pastor, the Rev. Sigi Helgeson, delivered a stirring homily for not only congregation members, but the many people who were baptized, confirmed or married by Pastor Morrison, as well as his pastoral colleagues. The Revs. Ron Hoyum, Valinda Morse, Don Fossum any myself from the synod office attended.

Some in the audience like chief usher Bob Troutner wore Morrison's evangelistic T-shirts to the celebration-of-life service, and others were encouraged to take one and continue Morrison's work at evangelizing.

"Jesus front and center on a red shirt — that was Steve," Pastor Helgeson said.

Old friend Jim Lamb recounted how on March 16 he recited The Lord's Prayer at Morrison's bedside at a Bremerton care facility, Albright House. Many on Sunday cried when Lamb said Morrison then took three breaths after Lamb finished the prayer and died. While at Albright House, Morrison had baptized residents in the shower. Morrison had brain cancer.

Pastor Helgeson said that in his later years, his usual uniform was one of those T-shirt, a fedora with a feather with the current liturgical color, and an eye patch, which made him appear a bit like a pirate.

Bishop Robert D. Hofstad, in a letter read by Hoyum, called Morrison "a one-of-a-kind gift of God."

Pastor Helgeson recalled to the many pastors in the audience advice Morrison had given her: "Preach the Gospel as best you can, have fun and be weird.

Pictured: The Rev. Dr. Steve Morrison, top, and Family of God chief usher Bob Troutner wearing one of Pastor Morrison's T-shirts at the celebration of life.

— Rachel Pritchett