Playground Rededication - Memorial Day Events- 2026

      Playground at ASLC: Rededication in Memory of Jeff Swope

Rededication of the playground in loving memory of Jeff Swope, 05/24/2026 (A Memorial Day Event)

Brief introduction by Donna on the occasion of the dedication of the memorial playground, Abiding Savior Lutheran Church, 8/26/2012

Welcome to our wonderful new play area! You see this nice flat space where the playset is located – well, if you had seen it in June, you wouldn’t recognize it now. The Abiding Savior family thanks Jim and Donna McKenzie, their son Cody and the extended McKenzie family for removing trees and leveling the site, and for installing the border timbers and mulch; and Mike and Karen Miner for stump removal and, along with Rob Strickland, for taking the old shed to the dump. 

On behalf of the Abiding Savior family, and the Swope family, thank you for being here today to honor Jeff’s life in this very tangible way.

I am joined in these thanks by our daughter Jenn, her husband Mike and daughters Alison and Natalie, both of whom were born into this congregation and have been a part of it since they were babies.

Our son Chris and his oldest daughter Tegan are not able to be here today; he is the coach for her travel soccer team, and they are in southern VA this weekend for a charity tournament for Toys for Tots involving more than 300 soccer teams. His wife Jennifer represents their family, along with son Luke and daughter Holland.

Jeff was the second oldest of seven children, five of whom live out of state; they all join us in our happiness at this wonderful gift in honor of Jeff. My twin brother Ron was one of Jeff’s best friends as we were growing up, and he and his wife Sue have joined us here today from Virginia.  I also want to recognize other friends and neighbors who are honoring Jeff with their presence today – Jenn’s friend Lisa; Eddie and Carolyn and their daughter Ellie; and John and Teresa and their children Sarah and Nick.

We came to Abiding Savior in November 1979; Chris was 8 and Jenn was 2. Chris was working on a scout badge that involved attendance at a worship service, and he said, “I guess I can’t get this badge, since we don’t go to church.” Jeff and I, both of whom had been raised going to Sunday School and church, looked at each other in dismay. We went to the Yellow Pages, looked up Lutheran churches, and decided to start with “A” and move on from there each Sunday until we found a church that we liked.  Well – we never moved on down the alphabet. We found what we were looking for at Abiding Savior, and much more than we ever expected – another kind of family, and the best of friends.

Over the years, Jeff served the congregation in many ways – council member, treasurer, property chair, land management chair, cleaning crew member, choir member, shopper for bargains (with coupons!), mower of lawns, and shoveler of snow. He knew every inch of the building, and helped to patch her up many times. I know for sure that the life of the congregation was enriched by Jeff’s participation – just as our family has been enriched by this very thing as well.

Our five grandchildren were part of Jeff’s very heart and soul, and it is because of his love for children- especially them! – that we designated the memorial funds that were so generously given  by many of you toward this wonderful structure.

So, please join me in dedicating this wonderful new playset in loving memory of Jeff Swope.