02/09/2025
We are letting our Deland new church community and extended family know that Rev Terry Schnarr passed into the greater part of spiritual life, this last Thursday, early evening. Rev Terry had not been feeling well for some time and his energy was lacking to match his will for the things he wanted to do.
Rev Terry came to be our pastor in Deland at The Chrysalis Retreat Center and Swedenborg Sanctuary in 2019, just before Covid. It was his first professional post after his ordination. He was strong, devoted, faithful, and fierce— Rev Terry was just what we needed.
We were so grateful for his pastoral and spiritual leadership, his doctrinal knowledge, and his steadfastness to our mission as well as the church’s history, while Cookie sought to bring the physical plant and extensive garden-grounds back to life.
When our circumstances changed and our existence was threatened, he gave us the courage to persevere in our mission to children, new church education, and learning about the Love and wisdom of The Lord through nature. He brought wisdom and procedure to our Board meetings.
Rev Terry and his wife Kathlyn commuted their campers back and forth between Canada and the US. We renewed our commitment to our vision, holding services, church bar-b-ques, night sky and star-watch parties, garden clean ups, an open house to the community, and after-church luncheons, among other get togethers.
Once a month, the congregation worshipped with the sister church, @ Lake Helen (General.) Every few months, Rev Carla Friedrich would join us from NM or SC. Guesting to the services were Jeannie Moore, Don Heacox, and Jean Marie Banderet. As time went on, Rev Terry also wisely shepherded us through the historic selling of the church property and a re-arrangement of the Board.
We were always sad to see Rev Terry and Kathlyn go each season, and glad to welcome them back to Florida upon their return. He will be missed and forever loved by us.
Pictured is Rev Terry holding forth for worship. Later, he learned to relax and be more Florida casual. What a great doctrinal class he could give too, eventually bringing individuals to know the love and true nature of our Risen Lord.
Lightspeed, Rev Terry, as you enter into the joy of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ.
