Dear Inner Circle,
I’d like to share something a little different this week.
Many of you will have heard of the passing of James Valentine. Most knew him as a broadcaster, musician and storyteller. We knew him as a friend of Wayside.
James wasn’t someone who came to Wayside seeking support. He wasn’t sleeping rough nor was he facing many of the challenges that bring many through our doors. Yet he belonged here all the same because he was driven by the vision of what our place is and how it resonated deeply with his own beliefs.
That’s because our community is built, like all good ones are, around our shared humanity, not just our circumstances or our catechisms.
For many years, James welcomed former Wayside CEO & Pastor Graham Long onto his ABC radio program each week to share the stories that became known as the Inner Circle. Together they invited thousands of people into conversations about belonging, kindness, joy, grief, hope and what it means to be human.
At James’ funeral, Graham shared a letter written especially for him. It captures both the friendship they shared and the values that connected them.
I’d like to share an excerpt of it with you today to honour both of these men, and to honour you, as a friend as a treasured member of this community of humanity we build together.
Years ago, James called me and asked me to read my weekly note to what I called the “inner circle” of the Wayside Chapel. But I didn’t’ have a ‘radio voice’. My chest crackled; I was inclined to give a raspy cough, and when I laughed – I rattled like a portable cement mixer. Far better for James to read my note. But he insisted that it be my voice. He wanted each show to have light and shade. He wanted the mood to have movement, loud and soft, serious, sad or hilarious.
So, with James’ reassurance, I gave it a go; and I was hopeless. I did cough and crackle. James acknowledged that our start was less than glorious, but he knew that there would be a place in the heart of Sydney people for my stories.
I think this event is the final James Valentine show so…
Dear Inner Circle,
On a recent precious day with James and Jo, James told me that his death was immanent, his cancer having spread from his omentum. I had no idea what his omentum was; “that sounds like a way of concluding a religious service”, to which James responded, “Ladies and gentlemen, would you please stand for the omentum!”
A couple of times, James told me that he “didn’t really buy any of the ‘God Stuff’”. And a couple of times I said, “you do a good impression of someone who seeks the highest for the sake of the maximum number. The main difference between you and me Is that I can’t play the saxophone.”
…
We give our illusions glorious names, spirituality, religion, career, purpose, meaning, ambition and such pretentions. But true greatness of spirit; true love, is revealed in those who simply delight in others.
You James were always having fun and always including others in the fun. And when it was time to die, you even used this event, for the good of us all. It’s what you did. Somehow, you knew how to do it, and I’m inspired, confronted and humbled.
There is nothing higher or more wonderful that can be said about any person, that they were “good”.
And you, James, were a truly good man.
God, or if you prefer “to whom it may concern”, bless you and hold you and help you on your journey.
Thank you for being part of the Inner Circle,
Jon
Rev. Jon Owen
CEO & Pastor
Wayside Chapel
