Pastor’s Paragraph - October 29, 2020
A couple of decades ago a young and ambitious college graduate named Cindy Adams visited Friedens UCC.
A native of Minnesota, she was beginning her Master’s in Philanthropy degree at IUPUI.
A lifetime United Church of Christ member, Cindy felt at home at Friedens and we were thrilled to welcome this bright, fun, faithful soul with a heartwarming and contagious smile.
It just so happened Cindy was looking for a part-time job and we were looking for a part-time youth minister. It seemed like a God-thing, and it turned out to be!
Not only did Cindy win our hearts but she also won our admiration. Cindy lived with cystic fibrosis, a progressive pulmonary disease. The ailment made Cindy more susceptible to respiratory illness and required daily breathing treatments to manage the symptoms. She took it all in stride and never let it stop her from attempting and achieving her dreams, even when frequent hospitalizations proved necessary.
Cindy was a blessing to our congregation and especially to our youth. She planned and led activities, organized mission trips and exemplified faith in action for our young disciples. Being away from home and family, a circle of our caring adults stepped in as her Hoosier family, strong ties that remain to this day.
In fact, it was an introduction by one of our active members, Angie Schultz, to her single brother, Aaron Ellis, that resulted in a friendship that budded into marriage. Cindy and Aaron were married at Friedens and we all rejoiced with this young couple we had come to love.
In time, Cindy and Aaron relocated to Minnesota to be closer to Cindy’s family, where they made their family complete with the addition of a daughter, Lillie. We watched and cheered from afar as this young family established a home and a life. We added our prayers as Cindy qualified for and underwent lung transplant surgery. It was a grueling recovery, and it was not a cure, but it did provide additional years for Cindy to enjoy life and her family, who stood by her side with constant love and support.
Sadly, Cindy’s earthly journey ended October 19. She made the peaceful transition from this life to the next encircled by Aaron and her mother and her sister. Friends and family gathered to say their farewell and celebrate Cindy’s good life on October 24. Our presence was made known with flowers and many warm wishes and prayers.
Cindy lives on in the healing and restoring presence of her Creator and in the hearts of all who loved her. We are invited to add to her legacy with a memorial gift in her honor to continue the research in the treatment of cystic fibrosis. If you wish to make a donation please visit www.cff.org. Click on Donate and follow the prompts to identify your gift in memory of Cindy Adams Ellis. Thank you.
May God’s comfort soothe our mourning,
Marc
