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Matt Woodcock, Church of England Pioneer Minister and Mission Supporter in the Diocese of York:

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In a few days time I’ll light a candle, raise a glass and take a moment to remember my extraordinary friend, Susie.

I miss her. She was a social tsunami. ÌýA woman who sucked up negative vibes like a hoover and poured out sunshine.

From the moment she was wheeled into our church a few Christmases ago, the atmosphere changed.

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Hearts and attitudes soon followed.Ìý As Susie brought along her neighbours and friends from the nearby sheltered flats, church life became richer, multifarious and far less dull. Dancing became a thing during some of our more lively hymns.Ìý Susie would persuade me to twirl her around in front of the altar like Anton Du Beke after too many energy drinks.ÌýÌý She joined in and came to everything. ÌýEven the things she wasn’t supposed to. ÌýLike my men’s group in the local.

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Physically, life was a major struggle for Susie.Ìý Blind and born with a defective spine, she was three feet eight inches tall, weighed four stone and was confined to a wheelchair.Ìý But body aside, virtually everything else about her was gloriously big. Like her generous spirit, infectious joy, and hopeless addiction to Meat Loaf and menthol cigarettes.

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I would often seek Susie out for spiritual conversation.Ìý A regular coffee with her helped me reconnect to God far better than my theology books. Not that she ever ordered coffee. It was usually something pink with crushed ice and a cocktail brolly in it. Her example taught me to strive to live as a radical includer and open inviter. That the measure of a flourishing individual or community - Christian or otherwise - is one that learns from, cherishes and fully integrates everyone. And always puts the smallest, weakest and most vulnerable first.

Susie often told me Jesus was her friend because she believed he embodied this.Preached a message of love, comfort and relief to ‘All’ and ‘Everyone’ not just ‘Some’ or a ‘Few’.

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Taking Susie’s funeral, there were many lumps to swallow down. ÌýWe sang - and danced to - her favourite gospel song ‘I Saw The Light’. ÌýThe line ‘No more darkness, no more night’ was her special prayer. The wake was very Susie.Ìý I still have nightmares about my karaoke. Paradise By The Dashboard Light. That’s all I’m saying, Chris. Ìý

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