Dear Editor,
Reuben George Essed: a man of faith, a cornerstone of Moravian Church Immanuel, St. Maarten has passed away, on Sunday, August 26, 2018, in the churchyard of Moravian Immanuel, St. Maarten, just before he reached the building to fellowship with his Lord and Savior and his fellow members.
Until his last breath, he kept his composure: his character, which he wore as a royal robe throughout his life. A man of stature, justice, respect, order, calmness but most of all peace, warmth and love. He touched everyone around him with his good-natured approach. Reuben did not only coordinate projects, but actively worked on them with team players to successful completion, not only at church, home, work, but also on the tennis court and the soccer field. We have not only lost a beacon and role model in the society of Sint Maarten, but a warm and hardworking man who was an example of excellence, order, good justice and fairness.
Even before the Moravian church was established on St. Maarten, the Essed family occasionally hosted services at home in Dutch. After the Christmas service, December 26, 1992, which was held in the Catholic Parish Hall on Back Street, regular services started in the Anglican and Methodist churches.
When the need for services in Dutch was urgently felt, brother Reuben was one of the members to answer to the call of the then Moravian Pastor Ronald Berggraaf from Curaçao.
He was very instrumental in making sure that today the Moravians have their own building on Sint Maarten. Contacts with the pertinent authorities were taken, place allocated and in 2009 the Immanuel kerk van de Evangelische Broeder Gemeente (English: Moravian church Immanuel), Madame Estate, Dominica Road10, became a reality.
Whether board member, treasurer, advisor and “wise man,” member of the verification committee, he was always approachable and ready to do the job, requested of him.
Remarks received from friends and pastors about brother Essed: God fearing, co-founder, cornerstone (stonfutu) of the Immanuel congregation St. Maarten. He has been rightfully compared to Moses and Joshua, who in obedience to their Lord and God, have been valuable channels of blessing in God's hand.
His passing has been expressed as a big loss.
It is always very difficult when a farewell comes so suddenly for those who are left behind, but the way our dear brother separated from the earthly life on the final steps to a church service is actually a beautiful symbol which fits the life of our dear brother.
He leaves behind a legacy which sets the tone of respect, punctuality, consistency and love – qualities we so desperately need to pass on the next generation.
We extend our deepest sympathy, not only to family and friends, but to anyone who had the privilege of knowing our dear Reuben Essed, a man of honour.
Moravian Church Immanuel, St. Maarten
