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From West Side's own Jake Baity...
I’m not 100% how Facebook works anymore, I haven’t used it since I was 13, but for this I’ll try my best. Please read the entire post: There was a friend in my graduating class, named Edwin Ramirez. Sadly, he unexpectedly passed yesterday. I loved this man, genuinely. We never talked daily or even hung out together, but when we passed each other in school, he would always shake my hand and say he loves me. His passion was to make others laugh and to be friends with everyone. He had a heart of gold and a mind of one as well. The last time I saw him in person, we gave each other a big hug because we knew it would be awhile before meeting again, but it wasn’t supposed to be the last time. We kept up with each other on Snapchat. I would tell him to keep working hard and he would tell me of his successes, but also told me EVERY TIME that I had a bright future and would do great at school. That was the day I moved into WVU, and those words eased my mind quite a bit. He was a rapper, and I only use that term seriously if they are good. I know a lot of y’all don’t listen to rap music, but from a person that does, he got better and better with each passing song. It started with him freestyling songs off of the top of his head to make us laugh in freshman P.E. I thought he was good, funny, and just did it to make us laugh, but then I began to actually get to know him and found out his passion; making music. Still, any musical artist has little chance of making it any further than Yadkin County when you don’t even have a studio close to you. That’s where Edwin showed his dedication. First, he started recording songs at his house that were pretty good, but he had more potential. Then, he got studio time in Winston, I was so excited for his music when it finally released, and it was great. Good enough in fact to get noticed by an Atlanta organization (the home of rappers basically) who invited him to do a performance in Atlanta. I watched afterwards, and that’s when I was even more proud of him. Being able to rap is one thing, but moving around and keeping the crowd invested and hyped up is another; and he did just that. Last I know of, while I was just moved into WVU, he was performing again in Charlotte. So basically, for a 19 year old kid who came from a small town, he made it very far in two years. Now, as I write this with teary eyes, I want to help as much as possible to make this tragic situation better; even though that’s not very possible. I lost a friend yesterday, a friend I wish I would have talked to much more, and a friend I wish I was able to pass one last “I love you” to. Now, there is a link for a Go Fund Me for his funeral costs, and if any one reading would be willing to donate you would be helping SO much. I know nobody on my friends list probably knew this man, but from the bottom of my heart, he was one of the BEST people I knew. When some hear “rapper” they think of it in a derogatory way. That’s not Edwin. Edwin started as a boy with a dream to be an artist and was achieving that before this tragic event. Whether it be a penny, or a dollar, or a thousand dollars, if my friends or anyone reading this would help the family of my friend Edwin, I will be forever grateful. Thank you for your time, and please keep Edwin and his family in your thoughts and prayers during this terrible time.
Funeral Expenses Edwin Ramirez organized by Michael Goins
www.gofundme.com
Edwin passed away unexpectedly on April 5. Anything would help the family. ... Michael Goins needs your support for Funeral Expenses Edwin RamirezDear friends,
You have probably already heard that tomorrow our worship service and activities will be cancelled. With the increasing risk of the Coronavirus spreading, along with the urging from federal and state leadership, we want to do all we can to protect church family and friends during these days. Since we love being together, this is difficult. However, we give thanks for the “tie that binds” us to one another in Jesus Christ our Savior.
We are staying in touch in various ways, with yet more to come. Please pray daily for our congregation, our community and our world. Especially remember those who are working on the front line, including medical personnel, store employees, and law enforcement. Also pray for those who experiencing economic hardship.
May all of us grow deeper in our relationship with God, who can work beyond the most difficult circumstances to assure, comfort and bless as needed. As the “scattered church,” God can use us as lights of our Savior’s grace all across the shifting landscape of our lives. So, church, let your light shine!
Pastor Christa Warise
After much prayerful consideration, our Sunday morning Bible Study classes and Morning Worship have been cancelled for tomorrow, March 15th. The scheduled events for this week will also be cancelled, including the Writers’ Group, Wednesday Gathering, and our ministry to the Rescue Mission. The Rescue Mission has temporarily postponed receiving outside groups. We want to be mindful of the possible effects of the coronavirus, especially on those who may have underlying health issues.
We will miss the joy and blessing of being with each other this week in worship, fellowship and ministry, but we have the joy and assurance of the bond of love we share with each other in and through our Lord, Jesus Christ. We often focus on the power of prayer, as it is the most powerful ministry of all. Let us commit to praying often for each other, for our community and for our world during these challenging days.
Let’s stay in touch with each other through texts, calls, emails, Facebook, etc. Please keep me informed of special needs and prayer requests.
With great love and appreciation,
Rev. Christa Warise