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In the aftermath of beloved singer, songwriter, actress and philanthropist Dolly Parton’s death on Aug. 25, churches across the country have commemorated the 80-year-old American icon, her faith and her impact. Below is a collection of ELCA congregations’ expressions of grief, thankfulness and love.
Augsburg Lutheran Church, Winston-Salem, N.C.: In an Aug. 26 Instagram post, Augsburg proclaimed: “In a world that can often feel loud, divided, and heavy, Dolly Parton remained a steady beacon of warmth and light. … Rooted in her faith and the lessons she learned growing up in the Smokey Mountains, her actions demonstrate what it means to put faith into action with serving others, giving generously, encouraging children, supporting families, and offering hope to those who need it the most. … We are reminded by Dolly that faith is more than something we believe—it is something we live. Her life encourages us to ask: How can we use the gifts God has given us to bring hope, joy, and love to others? May her life remind us that generosity doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes it simply means seeing a need, opening our hearts, and doing what we can. We give thanks for a life that has inspired so many and for the countless lives touched by Dolly’s kindness and generosity.”
Divinity Lutheran Church, Parma Heights, Ohio: In the Aug. 26 “Wednesday Wanderings” blog, Brad Ross, pastor of Divinity, reflected on the children’s book Forts, provided to his youngest child by Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library: “We can also rest assured that, in the end, Christ is meant to be the ultimate ‘fort’ of safety and solace and even a sensitivity to needing separation from other children of God in certain life overwhelming instances. Regardless, through it all, we can even be further assured of the gospel: not of us letting Christ in, but of Christ letting us in to the tender embrace that not even death can wrench away. Thanks be to God, indeed!”
First Lutheran Church, Cedar Rapids, Iowa: In the Aug. 27 “Faith First” podcast “Love Like Dolly” (also available as a single segment video podcast), Cindy Shadrick, First worship leader and self-proclaimed “No. 1 Dolly Parton fan” in Cedar Rapids, talked with Craig Brown, a pastor of First, about meeting and portraying the beloved American icon, her faith and her continued impact as she reflected on Christ’s call to love and care for each other. In the Aug. 30 service, Brown’s sermon (29:04-41:10) celebrated Parton’s faithful witness and highlighted that “No one person can replace Dolly Parton. But maybe we all can.” God loves us, no matter what, affirming to us, “I will always love you.” Shadrick offered an “I Will Always Love You” musical tribute (41:30-44:40).
Trinity Lutheran Church, Freeland, Wash.: In the Aug. 29 “Today’s Word” blog “Thank You, Dolly Parton”, Katrina Bentsen, a pastor of Trinity, said, “[Parton] is a light in her inclusion and support of others. On The Drew Barrymore Show (November 27, 2023) she said, ‘I love everybody. I always know that there’s that little God light, that little thing in every human being and I try to go to that. … I wrote a song called ‘Whatever you are, be that’ … because anything else is just an act. … I’m not a good enough person or a good enough Christian to judge and criticize other people. I want to be loved and accepted, so the least I can do is try to love and accept other people. And I love the difference in people. Just like that spice, the variety of life, being spice, you know? I mean, if everybody was the same, it would be a boring life wouldn’t it?'”
Faith Lutheran Church, Wolverton, Minn.: In his Aug. 29 Morrison County Record op-ed, Devlyn Brooks, pastor of Faith, wrote, “‘OK, so what’s this got to do with faith, Pastor?’ you might be asking. That’s a fair question. To answer, I’d say that … Dolly’s passing this week got me to thinking about our current societal morass, and how we can’t seem to get along about anything. In fact, it seems we’re driven to fight about everything, and divide into tribes over the silliest of things. Except about Dolly. Everyone loved Dolly. … And if that is the case, then what was it about her that impressed all of us? Well, the best I can figure is that she literally knew how to let her faith shine. She didn’t have to force it on anyone. She basically said, ‘Take it or leave it. But I’m not going to hide my little light, oh no. I’m going to let it shine!’ And in the course of doing so she helped improve millions of lives. I’d say that is a mighty fine example of what a faithful life is, and all it needs to be. Amen.”
Riverside Commons, Nashville, Tenn.: During an Aug. 30 Dolly communion service, worshipers made clothespin butterflies, and Riverside’s pastor, Liza Hawkins, read from the Parton children’s book Coat of Many Colors before ending the service with a lesson from the singer’s “I Will Always Love You,” connecting it to Paul’s words to the Corinthians: “Above all this, I wish you love. These three things remain: faith, hope, and love, and the greatest of these is love.”
St. James Lutheran Church, Concord, N.C.: Worship leader Carter McConnell offered an “I Will Always Love You” piano tribute to Parton during the Aug. 30 morning worship service.
Celebration Lutheran Church, East Wenatchee, Wash.: Sarah Toney’s Aug. 30 sermon, “Dolly the Disciple,” focused on Parton as an example of “what it is to pick up our cross and follow.” The pastor said, “People love Dolly for many reasons, but it’s at least in part because she did not insulate herself from the world. She refused to see herself as separate from anyone’s struggle, regardless of sexuality, ethnicity, or any of the other dividing lines of identity that carve up our society. She saw people in pain as whole people with stories of their own and dignity. And she loved them. What a great expression of her faith! … Truly Dolly Parton gave us all a glimpse of what a faithful life looks like when it is lived out loud, publicly and unapologetically. Hers was a life full of love for all people, including herself. She was nobody’s fool. She did not lay her dignity down to be trampled on and call it her cross to bear. There’s a difference. What she did do was love people, take their pain as hers to respond to, hers to care about, and do it with grace. We give thanks to God for this life well lived.”
Unity Lutheran Church, Chicago: The Sept. 5 worship service included an “I Will Always Love You” organ tribute.
