10/19/2024
For those of you who may not have seen this announcement of Rev. Dr. Linda Boston's passing, below is what the Sierra Pacific Synod released. Additionally, she was on our Board of Directors as Faith American Lutheran Church transitioned to Miracles of Faith Community Church, ELCA. She participated in Pastor Emeritus Gregg and Mary Brown's wedding as well as many of our big events at Miracles of Faith over the past 21 years. We will remember her as a champion for racial justice and dear friend to many at MFCC. She will be missed and dearly remembered.
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In Memoriam from the SPS/ELCA:
Rev. Linda Boston
August 21, 1950 – September 14, 2023
The Rev. Dr. Linda Boston was ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament on November 12, 1992. As pastor, she served the Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit in Chicago, IL; Faith Memorial Lutheran Church in Detroit, MI; Grace Lutheran Church in San Jose, CA; First English Lutheran Church in Sacramento, CA; Lutheran Social Services of Northern CA; Trinity Lutheran Church in Jackson, MS; Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Oakland, CA; and Lutheran Church of the Master in Sacramento, CA.
For decades, Pastor Boston was a well-known advocate for justice across the ELCA and in every local community where she was called as pastor. She served on the San Francisco/East Bay Urban Coalition, board of Lutheran Campus Ministry, African American Lutheran Association San Francisco chapter, Lutheran Theological Center in Atlanta, GA, Center for Women and Religion in Berkeley, San Francisco Council of Churches, and Sierra Pacific Synod African Descent Lutheran Association (ADLA); among many other affiliations.
As one of the first ordained Black women in the ELCA, Pastor Boston was an early advocate for more diverse clergy leadership in the ELCA. She courageously confronted racism, called out bigotry, and was a champion for the marginalized. Throughout her ministry, Pastor Boston was a prolific writer and speaker, a mentor to many, a preacher, and a prophet of the promise of God’s justice and grace. On the very day she passed from her earthly life to her eternal homegoing, she was surrounded and blessed by her daughters Toni and Therese and other loved ones by her bedside.
Pastor Boston’s family has planned a private service and is considering a more public memorial service later this year. We will share details when they are available.
Please mail cards and condolences to:
Toni McCleadon, 2680 Hinkley Ave., Richmond, CA 94804
A Prayer from Bishop Claire S. Burkat:
We give thanks to God for the life and ministry of the Rev. Linda Boston who faithfully served Christ and His Church for over 31 years. We pray for the Lord's comfort for her daughters, Toni and Therese, her extended family and friends, and all who loved and looked to her for guidance and grace. May we all rejoice with the communion of saints that Linda Boston, child of God, has claimed her baptismal promise and lives in perpetual life and love with her Lord. Amen.
