Dear Members of the Foothills Community,
It is with great sadness that we share that Rev. Dr. Marc Salkin, Foothills former Senior Minister, passed away this weekend from complications connected to his recent cancer diagnosis. Our deepest condolences go out to his wife Vicki, and their children Becky and David.
Rev. Salkin was called to serve Foothills in 1991 having previously served congregations in Watertown, Massachusetts; San Diego, California; and in Mexico City.
Marc served our church for twenty three years, with grace and compassion, an incisive humor, and a deeply caring presence. His deeply thoughtful sermons and intellect spoke with wise counsel about the human condition and the state of our world.
During his ministry, Marc officiated numerous memorials, where his authentic presence helped comfort family members, friends and, whole communities. That he found time to serve (most recently as an ESL Tutor) beyond his own ministry at Foothills, often inspired us to find our own place of service in the web of life. His door was always open to anyone seeking counsel or a kind word (and maybe a corny pun), and his ambient sense of ease and generous welcome facilitated the congregation’s growth by nearly double during his ministry.
Marc retired from Foothills and the ministry in 2014. In acknowledgment of their gratitude for his service, the congregation voted Marc be designated Foothills’ Minister Emeritus as he concluded his ministry.
In honor of Marc and his ministry, a Remembrance Book for condolences, memories, and stories will be placed in the foyer of the church to be shared with Marc’s family. The book will be available when the church office is open and on Sunday.
The news of Marc’s death, as with any loss, will impact each of us in our own way. Grief has a way of wrestling its way into our hearts and lives and will journey with us for some time, if not always. Especially the grief for someone who has been present for a whole generation’s milestones, as Marc has been for many. Whatever complexity of feelings you may be experiencing from receiving this news, know they are normal and typical. We invite everyone in our church community to take time to care for themselves, and to reach out to support others, as this is a time for tenderness and compassion.
Details for a Celebration of Life have yet to be determined and the church will follow the direction of Marc’s family as to sharing this information with our community. His family has encouraged that any gifts of support be directed to the Southern Poverty Law Center or the Innocence Project, both organizations that represent the causes closest to Marc’s heart.
If you are looking for support and community, we encourage you to attend our first-ever Holiday Healing service led by our Ministerial Resident Kristen Psaki. This contemplative Vespers style service will take place on Thursday, December 13th, at 6:15 pm and is an opportunity to find community and stillness, in the midst of all types of loss and grief. Additionally, our seasonal grief small group Tangled Blessings, facilitated by Foothills’ community member and chaplain, Christopher Lamb, gathers on Dec. 17th at 6:30 pm, and is open to all.
In faith and partnership,
Revs. Gretchen Haley and Sean Neil-Barron