In Memory of Rhoda Wierwille

Replies

Chere Poole December 2, 2009 at 6:41pm

I had the privilege to be on staff when Rhoda was working in Word Processing and still playing the piano for sunday services. She was always so sweet and gracious to me, always had a smile in greeting and liked to tell me jokes! She was a sweetheart. Very kind, very patient, very loving. I will miss her purity of heart.
John Richeson October 20, 2009 at 8:34am

Dahni, that is a funny story.. I can relate. My first visit to The Way was at the Crescent Theater in Minster on a Sunday afternoon. I had just come from a background of drugs, loud rock and roll and partying just a few months earlier. Here I was at the age of 20 sitting in this little town somewhere in Ohio, watching this corny group called Joyful Noise. When Ted Ferrell came out and did his thing I thought...."What Am I doing Here!!"

Afterwards we went to a service in the BRC with Rhoda and Dorothy playing some of these songs before the teaching. I relaxed. When Dr. Wierwille came out teaching in a blaze of glory, I sat astounded. I realized I was in for a long journey, which for the most part, I am glad I made.

Rhoda was the coolest. She made me feel at home somehow in a grandmotherly sort of way I suppose.
Dahni Hayden October 20, 2009 at 2:52am

There I was - a young , long-haired, into rock-N-roll punk, walking around inside the BRC before the evening fellowship. I'm thinking, what have I gotten myself into? It reminded me of church. Church music, Gospel music, No Thank you. Hardly anyone was inside except for myself and maybe a few others. But there was Dorothy and Rhoda playing as their manner was, before services. They were playing 'I come to the Garden Alone.' Rhoda looked up at me standing there and smiled a smile at me without missing a note. That smile cut right through and into my heart. It was as if she knew what I was thinking. It was like any smile from a dear grandmother - "Welcome Home My Grandson." Rhoda was one of the greatest communicators I have ever known and she could say more with a smile or a look than most people could with 1,000's of words. Rhoda changed my life this day. Every time I went to International she was the first person I wanted to see and to talk to. She may have not remembered my name, but Rhoda never forgot me. Rhoda, her life, her smile and those old favorites she and Dorothy played, are PERFECT examples of preparing the heart to receive the Word. By request, when we meet again, I am asking that right before Our Gathering Together Service, Dorothy & Rhoda will play - 'I come to the Garden Alone.'
chris larsen October 15, 2008 at 3:08pm

i loved her she was a great person
Judy Doop-Marshall July 2, 2008 at 8:56am

Boy Oh Boy, I have goosebumps listening to Rohda play. No one played like that or does. So many thoughts especially arriving at a meeting or class. And boy howdy could I belt out those songs.
Blessings to all of Rhoda's family and friends.

Judy Doop-Marshall
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Stanley Reahard June 23, 2008 at 3:26am

What a blessing Dorothy and Rhoda were to so many of us. As Ted Ferrell said, that pretty much is the end of the old guard. Tears of sadness.

Stanley
Glenda Sue Morris June 20, 2008 at 10:16am

Oh how I loved Rhoda. When I first came back from Puerto Rico, I worked for Howard Allen, as the International Outreach secretary, but then we started up "Word Processing." That's where I really got to know Rhoda! She was sweet as honey...pure as the driven snow...and she's help me with spelling and grammar whenever Nancy Hearne wasn't watching. Finally, Nancy had to tell Rhoda to stop giving me the answers and Nancy told me to "Look it up." Well.....as a result, I learned a lot about English. Thank you, Rhoda, and Thank you, Nancy.

I love them both,

Glenda Sue
Robert Williams March 24, 2008 at 6:40pm

During my stay at headquarters Rhoda blessed me in many ways.

As a young man working in our business office she taught me to communicate clearly in writing. She was diligent and very detailed in handling correspondence. And she had time to help a new kid learn to be concise with written words. She helped build my confidence and helped me minister.

I believe she also handled personal and confidential ministry correspondence for many years. She was diligent and could be trusted. Who knows how many thousands of people were helped or touched with Rhoda being a part of it?

She also answered for me the question, could a man or woman write down exactly what God had said to them? After working with Rhoda I had no doubt.

I played guitar and bass in public, but always liked to play the piano by myself just to figure out music and to release. The piano in the BRC was strictly off limits to all but a few. Shortly after I arrive Rhoda took me by the hand one day and gave me permission to play her piano when I liked. So I enjoyed many late evenings after the after meeting playing in the BRC. Sometimes Mark Gluckin would be there editing the Sunday teaching and I would just play and get relaxed. Some sweet memories.

She was also the example I had for many years of what Way Productions was all about. In the early days she would pack up bookstore stuff into the car, drive Dr. Wierwille to the teaching, set up the bookstore, play the music before and after the service, handle the bookstore afterwards, then pack it up and drive home. And be at work the next day.

She did so many things for so many people, yet you would never hear it from her. Let her praise be on others lips. I am very thankful to have worked with her. She was tender, generous and loving and very helpful to me personally.

And also blessed so many with her music. I have to join with others ... Thank you Dorothy, Thank you Rhoda.

Rob Williams
Lonnell Johnson March 8, 2008 at 10:22am

Charlene and John,

I too recall with great fondness the wonderful music of "Dorothy and Rhoda" which I first heard way back in the day, in 1967 when I was introduced to The Way International while serving in the US Army at Ft. Sam Houston, TX. I listened to the tapes of the services from the BRC, and I was fascinated by the music which was a totally new expression for me. That Southern Gospel sound radically differed from the kind of music I was accustomed, but I soon came to recognize that the music was a prelude to the Word of God which drew me to connect with The Way Ministry and ultimately join The Way Corps. I love all kinds of music, and I especially appreciated Rhoda's "style" of weaving her training as a concert pianist into the songs from "Sing Along the Way" and other musical selections. I still can hear those runs played so magnificently, as only Rhoda could do them. As I reflect, I thank God for music which is such a precious gift and for Rhoda Wierwille, who displayed and shared her gift so exquisitely.

Lonnell Johnson
2nd Corps
Laura Rellinger Bolin March 7, 2008 at 4:27pm

I have many fond memories of Mrs. Rhoda Wierwille but some of the best were with the Way Chorale. I love music and I always stood in respectful "awe" of both Rhoda and Dorothy. During the times of the Way Chorale,(practice, practice, etc.) Rhoda seemed to be my "gentle wind" in a time of "Torrential Storm". It was a great time of learning, privilege of singing, but...most of all....a very special time of sharing. There is no greater tribute to pass on to future generations.then.to keep the stories of service & love alive......Thank you Dorothy, Thank you Rhoda...