How Jan Sanders Spent All Saints Sunday

Jan Sanders the widow of Judge Barefoot Sanders. Barefoot, as some will recall, is the legendary Federal Judge from here in Dallas who died about a month ago. Northaven has been Jan and Barefoot's spiritual home for more than three decades, as they raised a family and served the community, and we were honored to host his memorial service.

I told this story this morning in church and, because everybody at Northaven Church knows Jan, it got applause. Which makes me think that even though it's late on All Saints Sunday it might be inspiring for others to hear it too.

Judge Sanders, as you may have heard me say elsewhere is one of those truly rare folks who, over the span of a long career, had experience in all three branches of government. He served in the Texas House as a legistator and was a White House counsel for President Lyndon Johnson. President Carter appointed Barefoot Federal Judge here in the Norhtern District of Texas. By the time he retired in his 80s, he was the senior federal judge in this region.

I know of very few human beings who have experience in all three branches of government, or who were as beloved and respected as much as Barefoot.

All along his remarkable life, Jan has been a support and encourager, while also having a very active life in the community. She was by his side when he ran for the Texas House and when he later ran against John Tower. She is an active supporter of the Dallas Peace Center, and many environmental causes. But, because of the role of a federal judge, Jan stayed away from direct politics during the past several decades.

This morning, at church, we celebrated "All Saints Sunday," and we honored Barefoot as we always honor those who have died during the past year. We read his name, lit a candle, and rang the bell. It was a tender, moving moment.

But Jan Sanders was not there. In fact, Jan Sanders is not in Dallas right now.

Jan left for Ohio on Friday, where she is volunteering to "get out the vote" in the greater Cincinnati area.

I talked to Jan before she left, and it was very clear that Ohio is where she needed to be today. When I mentioned this in church this morning, the congregation applauded, and I told them I hoped they would honor this octogenarian with in-person applause upon her return.

Her daughter says she has not yet heard from Jan, which we both agree probably means she's thrown herself into it with her usual passion, and is loving every minute.

Jan and Barefoot are special people to so many. They shared a life of public service for fifty years. There are many different ways to honor a "saint" in our lives on All Saints Sunday. We honored Barefoot by lighting a candle for him this morning.

And in a very real way, Jan honored him too.