A memorial for a magical, musical minister

Hundreds gathered on Saturday to celebrate the life of the Rev. Mark Wayne Bailey, a beloved co-founder of the Church of the Loving Shepherd and the Bournelyf Special Camp in Westtown Township. Rev. Bailey died last month at the age of 63.

Befitting Rev. Bailey's colorful persona, a large white tent on the 20-acre bucolic church grounds was encircled with whirligigs and wind socks that danced in the breeze - a fitting tribute to a man who counted music among his many passions.

The Rev. Bailey, an accomplished musician, served the congregation in multiple capacities for 50 years, most recently as its associate pastor and music coordinator. With degrees from Bryn Mawr College, Princeton Seminary, the Philadelphia Divinity School, and Temple University, Rev. Bailey was also an active educator. Early in his career, he served as headmaster of Media Friends School. Later, he taught graduate courses at Widener University.

The Rev. John Woodcock, who led the memorial celebration, praised Rev. Bailey's legacy, describing him as the embodiment of the notion that people need to support one another.

Norman Greet, a member of the choir, said one of Rev. Bailey's best talents was his unflappable pursuit of exhuberant excellence, no matter what the circumstances - a feat that will forever be known as "baileying." As a result, having only an hour to practice a hymn wasn't a problem. "We can bailey it,' Greet said. "We are fortunate indeed to have learned the fine art of baileying at the hand of the maestro himself."

Beth Barol, who worked with Rev. Bailey at Widener University's Center for Social Work, said his enthusiasm and commitment spilled into his teaching. "Mark was magic in the classroom," she said, explaining that he felt responsible for engaging his students. Sometimes he had to get creative to do so, such as "taking off his shoes, climbing on a table, and jumping up and down. That got their attention," she said.

Rev. Woodcock said the church just celebrated the 39th anniversary of its first service. The congregation, which also runs a summer camp for disabled children, worships in a converted Quaker bank barn that dates back to the 1720s - a history enriched by Rev. Bailey.

For more information about the church, visit www.lovingshepherd.org.