Remembering Hugh Banninga
The year was 1965, 50 years ago. A new clergyman was called and warmly welcomed by St. John’s Episcopal Church. The Rev. Hugh E. Banninga began a ministry in St. Johns which continued until his death December 16, 2013. This season of Lent has brought reminded me of warm memories of Hugh’s life, I wish to remind the St. Johns community and much of Clinton County what a giving man we lost December 2013.
I will never forget his words over 40 years ago one Sunday when he told the congregation to open the doors of the church, look out at the surrounding neighborhood / community and ask yourself “What can I do to help those living here?” Those words were Hugh’s motto and lifelong goal to which he was dedicated.
Hugh was a minister who did not need a church from which to minister. He ministered to those with no formal church affiliation. The community was his church. He spent his life looking for what others needed and responding to those needs to the best of his ability, especially during the time that he served as a chaplain at Sparrow Hospital.
With Hugh’s passing, Clinton County lost a mentor who left Clinton County a better place that he found it. The list of Hugh’s outreach to the community is long: service as a clergyman to many who had a variety of needs, in addition to chaplaincy at Sparrow Hospital, he served the St. Johns Ministerial Association, St. Johns Lions Club, Meals on Wheels, Oakview Elementary School volunteer, Clinton County Social Services, RAVE, Big Brothers / Big Sisters, RESA, Clinton County Hospice, Community Resource Volunteers, the first Senior Citizen Center, Clinton County Arts Council. Several of these organizations honored him with numerous awards of recognition.
Please join me in remembering how Hugh touched you and yours. Even though Hugh is no longer physically with us, let us keep his spirit continuing.
We miss you Hugh!
Sally Boron