Isabel Katherine Nugent Celebration of Life

A Service in Celebration and Thanksgiving for the Life of

Isabel Katherine Nugent May 24, 2008 – October 18, 2023

FRIDAY, OCTOBE R 27, 2023, AT 2 PM

Self Portrait, Isabel

Order of Service Please keep a prayerful quiet as we prepare for worship.

The People’s responses are printed in bold.

Prelude

Please stand as you are able.

Hymn

For the beauty of the earth

Dix

—Text: Folliot Sandford Pierpoint (1835–1917), alt.

Melody: Conrad Kocher (1786–1872); arr. William Henry Monk (1823–1889)

Opening Sentences

I am Resurrection and I am Life, says the Lord. Whoever has faith in me shall have life, even though she die. And everyone who has life, and has committed himself to me in faith, shall not die for ever.

As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives and that at the last he will stand upon the earth. After my awaking, he will raise me up; and in my body I shall see God. I myself shall see, and my eyes behold him who is my friend and not a stranger.

For none of us has life in himself, and none becomes his own master when he dies. For if we have life, we are alive in the Lord, and if we die, we die in the Lord. So, then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s possession.

Happy from now on are those who die in the Lord! So it is, says the Spirit, for they rest from their labors.

Remembrances seated

Meg Ratliff, Anaiah Roberts, Carol Offutt, David Ibata, Danny Nugent, and Jack Nugent

Collects standing as you are able God be with you.

And also with you.

Let us pray.

O God, whose beloved Son took children into his arms and blessed them: Give us grace to entrust Isabel, to your neverfailing care and love, and bring us all to your heavenly kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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Most merciful God, whose wisdom is beyond our understanding, deal graciously with Isabel’s family and friends in their grief. Surround them with your love, that they may not be overwhelmed by their loss, but have confidence in your goodness, and strength to meet the days to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Reading 1 Corinthians 13

Read by Conn Nugent

If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.

For the Word of God in scripture, for the Word of God among us, for the Word of God within us, Thanks be to God.

Poem

Read by Katherine Nugent

The Gospel standing as you are able Matthew 5:1-10

The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ according to Matthew.

Glory to you, Lord Christ.

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Homily seated

The Rev. Dr. Joshua Daniel

The Lord’s Prayer

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

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Prayers standing as you are able

For our sister Isabel, let us pray to our Lord Jesus Christ who said, “I am Resurrection and I am Life.”

Lord, you consoled Martha and Mary in their distress; draw near to us who mourn for Isabel, and dry the tears of those who weep. Hear us, Lord.

You wept at the grave of Lazarus, your friend; comfort us in our sorrow. Hear us, Lord.

You raised the dead to life; give to our sister eternal life. Hear us, Lord.

Comfort us in our sorrows at the death of our sister; let our faith be our consolation, and eternal life our hope.

Silence may be kept. The Presider concludes with the following

Father of all, we pray to you for Isabel, and for all those whom we love but see no longer. Grant to them eternal rest. Let light perpetual shine upon them. May her soul and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Song

You’ve got my heart

Nuge

The Commendation

Give rest, O Christ, to your servant with your saints, where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting.

You only are immortal, the creator and maker of humankind; and we are mortal, formed of the earth, and to earth shall we return. For so did you ordain when you created me, saying, “You are dust, and to dust you shall return.” All of us go down to the dust; yet even at the grave we make our song: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Give rest, O Christ, to your servant with your saints, where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting.

Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant Isabel. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming.

Receive her into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.

Hymn

Amazing grace! how sweet the sound

Amazing grace! how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see.

New Britain

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved; how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed!

Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come; ’tis grace that brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we’d first begun.

— Words: John Newton (1725–1807), alt.; st. 5, from A Collection of Sacred Ballads, 1790; compiled by Richard Broaddus and Andrew Broaddus

Blessing

The People respond Amen.

Postlude During the postlude, the family will move to the columbarium for the committal.

All others, please remain seated until the service has ended.

After the service, all are invited to a reception at the Nugent home (3911 Northampton Street, NW).

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The Committal

Everyone the Father gives to me will come to me; I will never turn away anyone who believes in me. He who raised Jesus Christ from the dead will also give new life to our mortal bodies through his indwelling Spirit.

My heart, therefore, is glad, and my spirit rejoices; my body also shall rest in hope. You will show me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy, and in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.

Then, while the urn is placed in the columbarium, the Presider says

In sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ, we commend to Almighty God our sister Isabel, and we commit her body to its resting place; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust. The Lord bless her and keep her, the Lord make his face to shine upon her and be gracious to her, the Lord lift up his countenance upon her and give her peace. Amen.

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us pray.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Rest eternal grant to Isabel, O Lord; And let light perpetual shine upon her.

May her soul, and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Dismissal

Alleluia. Christ is risen.

Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia.

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Isabel Katherine Nugent 2008–2023

Isabel Nugent, an unusually gifted young artist, writer, and athlete, died at her home in Washington, D.C., on October 18, 2023.

Isabel was a sophomore at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. She was a brilliant painter of portraits, landscapes, and still lifes, as well as a quick and witty producer of charcoal sketches, and an accomplished poet. In addition to her artistic talents, Isabel was an outstanding student and an amazing athlete, excelling at swimming, soccer, volleyball, and track. She was a finalist in her age group in the 800-meter dash at the U.S. Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships.

A devoted friend to many, Isabel was patient, loving, thoughtful, and kind. She is survived by her sisters, Molly Nugent of Washington, D.C., and Annie Baker of Brooklyn, N.Y.; her brothers, Benjamin, Jack, and Danny Nugent, all of Brooklyn, N.Y.; her niece, Dora Beckerman; and her parents, Conn and Katherine Nugent.

Land Acknowledgement

We give thanks that we meet today on the traditional land of the first people of Nacotchtank, who had been its custodians for thousands of years, caring for and nurturing it. We pray for all who live on this land and pay our respects to the native leaders past, present, and emerging.

Participants in the Liturgy Presider

The Rev. Adelyn Tyler-Williams

Gospeller

The Rev. Mitchell Felton

Homilist

The Rev. Dr. Joshua Daniel

Musician

Diane Heath

Readers

Conn Nugent and Katherine Nugent

Remembrances

Crucifer

Ushers

David Ibata, Danny Nugent, Jack Nugent, Carol Offutt, Meg Ratliff, and Anaiah Roberts Katie McGervey

Tom Bauder, Robert Burrows, Michael Crabtree, Praveen Jeyarajah, and Anne Wakefield #

We are glad you are here today to celebrate the life of Isabel Nugent, to mourn and to commit her to God’s eternal care.

St. Columba’s is a community with space for joy as well as sorrow, for exploring faith, deepening connection with God, other people and our creation, participating in ministries of justice and mercy—and space for you.

If you would like pastoral support in this time of loss, or to talk about how to participate in the life of God in this community, please contact the Rev. Dr. Joshua Daniel at jdaniel@columba.org.

We are here for you.

St. Columba’s Episcopal Church is an inclusive Christian community of all ages that welcomes one and all, encourages spiritual curiosity, celebrates children and youth, and embraces the world in the spirit of God’s justice and love.

L E A R N M O R E AT C O L U M B A .O R G