The Rev. Dr. Arthur A. Rouner, Jr.

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Rouner, The Rev. Dr. Arthur A., Jr. (1929 2021) The Rev. Dr. Arthur A. Rouner, Jr. died December 16, 2021, from multiple health challenges, at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. He was born May 21, 1929, Boston, Massachusetts, the son of the Rev. Arthur A. Rouner and Elizabeth Stephens Rouner. He is survived by his wife Molly (Mary Safford Rouner) of 71 years and children John Newell Rouner (Haseena), Kristen Rouner Jeide (Bruce), Thomasin Rouner, Elizabeth Rouner Snow, and Arthur Andrew Rouner (Rose). Vi Quang joined our family as a teen-aged lone refugee from war-torn Vietnam. Grandchildren Rachel Rouner Duclos (Eric), John Christian Rouner, Anna Jeide-Detweiler (Nathan), William Rouner Jeide, Arthur Thomas Snow, Julian Lewis Rouner and Naomi Tenebrae Rouner and great-granddaughters Vivienne and Reese Duclos. Arthur Rouner all his life sought to do good and to do it well from his days as an Eagle Scout, leadership in his high school years, Harvard College (BA), Union Theological Seminary (M.Div.), the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, and later in life Luther Seminary (D.Min.), and in his years serving the First Congregational Church of Williamsburg, Massachusetts, the Eliot Church of Newton, Massachusetts, and for 32 years, the Colonial Church of Edina, Minnesota. He authored many books on the Christian life, the Christian Church and the work of reconciliation. At age 65 he retired from parish ministry and founded the Pilgrim Center for Reconciliation (PCR) and served as its President for the next 25 years, leading healing retreat programs in areas of war and conflict in six countries in Africa and here in the U.S. with trauma healing. This work commenced in Rwanda following the 1994 genocide and continues to this day, with growing reconciliation work in the U.S. His years of ministry at Colonial Church brought many to serve our Lord Jesus Christ, addressing the needs of the poor, the hungry, the wounded; those underserved or under-loved - always with the deep commitment, support and service of the many who joined him in the work. He led the church to wide inclusive love and service within the church, the city, our country and abroad - particularly in East Africa. Whatever he undertook for love, it was always with the help of gifted colleagues, lay people and friends - all providing sweat, talent and resources under God's blessing. Arthur mentored many young people, guiding them to live out their calling in ministry and mission. Arthur had a great capacity for friendship - a kindly truly attentive way of knowing people. He himself drew love and strength from Jesus' words to the disciples: "I have called you friends." (John 15:15) and lived from that as a friend to Jesus and a friend to all. The Rouner family would like to acknowledge with deep gratitude the skilled and loving medical care of those who gave him the "bonus" years despite the many problems. And to acknowledge the loving kindness of staff and neighbors of our home community at Covenant Living, Golden Valley - and all who prayed, loved, encouraged and kept faith with Arthur on this final journey - churches - friends - all dear. All is well. All is well. Molly Rouner and family A service of shared grief and celebration is planned for a hoped-for Covid-free springtime. Memorials: Pilgrim Center for Reconciliation, P.O. Box 22086, Mpls, MN 55422 (info@pilgrimcenter.org) Colonial Church of Edina, 6200 Colonial Way, Edina, MN 55436 (colonialchurch.org)

Published on December 26, 2021