MERCER ISLAND, WA (August 25, 2011) – Two services have been scheduled for retired Evangelical Covenant Church pastor Worth Vernon Hodgin who died last Saturday, August 20, in Mercer Island.
A graveside service will be conducted at 1 p.m. this coming Saturday, August 27, at the Mount Vernon cemetery with a reception following at Bethany Covenant Church, 1318 S. 18th Street in Mount Vernon, Washington. A memorial service will be conducted the following day, Sunday, August 28, at Covenant Shores, 9150 Fortuna Drive in Mercer Island, beginning at 2:30 p.m.
Born January 1, 1920, in Canada, Hodgin completed studies at Pasadena College, San Francisco Seminary, the Urban Training Center, and Mansfield College in California. Ordained in 1946 in the former Pilgrim Holiness denomination, he transferred his ordination to the Covenant in 1957.
He married Genevie Sheppard in 1942 in Pasadena. The couple went on to serve a number of Covenant congregations in California, Washington, Arizona and Illinois. Hodgin retired in January 1984.
In addition to his wife, Genevie, survivors include a son, Richard, and two married daughters, Bonnie and Anne.
Covenant News Service will publish more information as it becomes available.
Worth was my pastor for a few years in Arizona. He was a terrific leader with a loving heart — but was unwilling to back down from a challenge. His ministry was characterized by taking on challenging situations — and I know that a few superintendents considered him to be a “go to man.” I do remember Worth offending a few people who needed to be offended. But I also remember his patience with me.
He was a forward thinker and in many ways years ahead of his time in offering creative solutions and a more holistic approach to ministry. He could spin a good yarn. As Rita said, “just the thought of Worth makes me smile.”
Dear Genevie and family, As Herb Hedstrom mentioned in his note, Worth had a very significant ministry in the Central Conference in the sixties. I can never forget his (or your) friendship and support when I was pastor at Oakdale. We were together in spirit and outlook, and his support of civil rights and the importance of diversity ini the Conference and Covenant were of enormous encouragement to me. His warmth and humor will long be remembered, as will his love for Christ and for the twin emphases of evangelism and social justice. Though full of hope, we are saddened to know that he is no longer with us. Grace and peace to you at this time of sorrow. Craig E Anderson
My Grandfather was much more than a grandfather; he was a friend, a teacher, and the most loving man I have ever known. I grew up with the awareness of how much he loved his family from his three kids to all his grandchildren and my beautiful Grandma Genèvie.
I heard stories all of my life about the pranks Grandpa & his friend Jackie Robinson used to pull.
He was an all-star athlete from basketball to football – he was competitive even when he played games of croquet with his grandchildren.
God Bless NOah Hodgin
Worth did a wonderful pioneering ministry years ago in the Central Conference in what we then called urban ministry. He was thoughtful and forward looking. I remember him from those years with appreciation and affection.
Dear Hodgin Family. How delightful to spend time with you just days before the country faced the tragedies of 9/11. Your hospitality and Worth’s gentle humor was indeed a sweet comforting memory of that vacation trip to Pacific North West. Worth told each of us to look through the window at the lake while having lunch together at Covenant Shores, and then announced so seriously that he could walk on water. Our wonderful Worth is now ‘walking on water’ with our Lord Jesus Christ. What an exceptional boss he was when we worked together at Squaw Peak Covenant in Phoenix. Though he will be missed without question, just the thought of Worth makes me smile.
Worth was a source of encouragement and wisdom to me when I was beginning my pastoral ministry. Thanks to our Father for His goodness in giving us such mentors.