Joe was such a special person, he blest me so often from the pulpit and personally. He became even more precious when I married the grandson of a coal miner from Wales.
How much rejoicing there must be in heaven now.
Patricia Stanton
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Photos from the Memorial for Joe Kitts at Truro
Check out photos from the Memorial for Joe Kitts at Truro Church (Fairfax, VA) on Saturday, October 6th here.
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Joe and I served together at Truro during the interim time between the departure of John Howe and the arrival of Martyn Minns.
What a wonderful time that was as Joe did what he did so well in pointing people to Jesus through his pastoral work, his gifts for evangelism, and his fervent preaching.
As a newly ordained priest, I learned many important things about life and ministry from Joe, and I am deeply indebted to him for the many times he shared his perspectives with me.
But one of our favorite memories predates that interim experience. Joe baptized our daughter Meredith in 1985. There were several babies being baptized that day, and one was clearly unhappy. Joe scooped him up in his arms, pronounced the baptism blessing as the baby continued to fuss, gently handed him back to his parents, and declared with a broad smile, “Objection overruled!”
Joe’s love for the Lord was as infectious as it was inspirational, and we count it a privilege to have known him and served Truro with him. We carry many special memories in our hearts as we celebrate God’s goodness shown to us in the lives of Joe and Freda.
John and Nina Whitnah
As a newly ordained priest, I learned many important things about life and ministry from Joe, and I am deeply indebted to him for the many times he shared his perspectives with me.
But one of our favorite memories predates that interim experience. Joe baptized our daughter Meredith in 1985. There were several babies being baptized that day, and one was clearly unhappy. Joe scooped him up in his arms, pronounced the baptism blessing as the baby continued to fuss, gently handed him back to his parents, and declared with a broad smile, “Objection overruled!”
Joe’s love for the Lord was as infectious as it was inspirational, and we count it a privilege to have known him and served Truro with him. We carry many special memories in our hearts as we celebrate God’s goodness shown to us in the lives of Joe and Freda.
John and Nina Whitnah
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Out of the Coal Mine and into the World
Memorial Service:
Oct 5, 2013 • 10:00 am • Truro Anglican Church
10520 Main Street • Fairfax, Virginia
Reception follows
All are welcome.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Funeral and Memorial Services for the Rev. Joe Kitts
Joe was supervisor of his shift and enthusiastically shared the love and Gospel of Jesus Christ to all the miners. Since Joe worked full-time in the mines and never went to college, he studied at night in order to pass exams to enter Tyndale seminary in Bristol, where he was accepted for ministry training and ordination in the Church of England.
In 1949, Joe married Freda Jones in St. Helens. They lived in St Helens, England, through Joe’s seminary years. During that time, Freda worked as a nurse to support him and their growing family.
Joe’s first job after ordination was as a curate of St. Peters Church, Parr, St Helens. He went from there to serve as curate at St. Mary’s (now demolished) at Bootle near Liverpool. From there he went to Southport, Lancashire, where he was Vicar of St. Simon and St. Jude.
While at seminary, Joe had met the Rev. John Guest. John Guest encouraged Joe to come and work in the ministry in the United States. In 1974, Joe received the call to be rector of Church of the Redeemer in Okulgee, OK, and served there until 1976.
At that time, his old friend from seminary John Guest was rector of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Sewickly, PA. The Associate Rector of St. Stephen's was the Rev. John W. Howe. It was there at St. Stephen's that John Howe met Joe Kitts.
In fact, while visiting the U.K. in 1974, John Howe and his wife Karen stayed at Joe and Freda's “Cottage" (built on the side of a hill) in Wales. It was during that visit in the U.K. that John and Karen and John Guest were seeking wisdom and support for what ended up becoming Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, PA.
John Howe was called in 1976 to be rector of Truro Church in Fairfax, VA, and shortly after he arrived he asked Joe Kitts to join the Truro staff as Assistant Rector for pastoral care and evangelism.
Joe served through the ministries of two rectors (the Rev. Martyn Minns arrived at Truro to be rector in 1991) and an interim during his eighteen years at Truro, retiring back to England in 1994. He and Freda settled in St. Martin’s, Oswestry, England, and to their farmhouse, "Windy Ridge" on Cottage Lane.
They enjoyed their many years together in England, sharing their warm hospitality to all who came to visit. I remember visiting Joe and Freda at their home in England and Joe took me for an unforgettable ride on the historic Snowdon Mountain Railway in Gwynedd, Wales.
In 2008, Freda went home to the Lord. Joe continued to joyfully receive friends and guests, sharing the good news and love of Jesus.
Joe and Freda are survived by their three children, Keith Brainerd (and his wife, Beatrix) Kitts, Gillian Ann (and her husband Mike) Bigg, and Denise Ruth Kitts, as well as eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, with one on the way.
The funeral for the Rev. Joe Kitts will be on Tuesday, September 10, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Martin's Church in St. Martin, Oswestry, England. The Rt. Rev. Martyn Minns (former rector of Truro, 1991-2007) will be taking part in the funeral there.
There will also be a memorial service on October 5, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. at Truro Anglican Church (10520 Main Street, Fairfax, VA). The Rt. Rev. John Howe (former rector of Truro, 1975-1989) will be preaching.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Monday, September 2, 2013
Joe Kitts was born the January 5,1927, in St. Helens, Lancashire, England.
Joe Kitts was born the January 5,1927, in St. Helens, Lancashire, England. He went down into the mines as a Bevin boy during World War II. According to Wiki, Bevin Boys were "young British men conscripted to work in the coal mines of the United Kingdom (1943 until 1948). Chosen at random from conscripts, but also including volunteers, nearly 48,000 Bevin Boys performed vital but largely unrecognised service in the mines, many of them not released from service until years after the Second World War ended." This was where Joe's ministry began.
Joe was supervisor of his shift and enthusiastically shared the love and Gospel of Jesus Christ to all the miners. Since Joe worked full-time in the mines and never went to college, he studied at night in order to pass exams to enter Tyndale seminary in Bristol, where he was accepted for ministry training and ordination in the Church of England.
In 1949, Joe married Freda Jones in St. Helens. They lived in St Helens, England, through Joe’s seminary years. During that time, Freda worked as a nurse to support him and their growing family.
Joe’s first job after ordination was as a curate of St. Peters Church, Parr, St Helens. He went from there to serve as curate at St. Mary’s (now demolished) at Bootle near Liverpool. From there he went to Southport, Lancashire, where he was Vicar of St. Simon and St. Jude.
While at seminary, Joe had met the Rev. John Guest. John Guest encouraged Joe to come and work in the ministry in the United States. In 1974, Joe received the call to be rector of Church of the Redeemer in Okmulgee, OK, and served there until 1976.
At that time, his old friend from seminary John Guest was rector of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Sewickly, PA. The Associate Rector of St. Stephen's was the Rev. John W. Howe. It was there at St. Stephen's that John Howe met Joe Kitts.
In fact, while visiting the U.K. in 1974, John Howe and his wife Karen stayed at Joe and Freda's “Cottage" (built in the side of a hill) in Wales. It was during that visit in the U.K. that John and Karen and John Guest were seeking wisdom and support for what ended up becoming Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, PA.
John Howe was called in 1976 to be rector of Truro Church in Fairfax, VA, and shortly after he arrived he asked Joe Kitts to join the Truro staff as Assistant Rector for pastoral care and evangelism.
Joe served through the ministries of two rectors (the Rev. Martyn Minns arrived at Truro to be rector in 1991) and an interim during his eighteen years at Truro, retiring back to England in 1994. He and Freda settled in St. Martin’s, Oswestry, England, and to their farmhouse, "Windy Ridge" on Cottage Lane.
They enjoyed their many years together in England, sharing their warm hospitality to all who came to visit. I remember visiting Joe and Freda at their home in England and Joe took me for an unforgettable ride on the historic Snowdon Mountain Railway in Gwynedd, Wales.
In 2008, Freda went home to the Lord. Joe continued to joyfully receive friends and guests, sharing the good news and love of Jesus.
Joe and Freda are survived by their three children, Keith Brainerd (and his wife, Beatrix) Kitts, Gillian Ann (and her husband Mike) Bigg, and Denise Ruth Kitts, as well as eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, with one on the way.
Joe was supervisor of his shift and enthusiastically shared the love and Gospel of Jesus Christ to all the miners. Since Joe worked full-time in the mines and never went to college, he studied at night in order to pass exams to enter Tyndale seminary in Bristol, where he was accepted for ministry training and ordination in the Church of England.
In 1949, Joe married Freda Jones in St. Helens. They lived in St Helens, England, through Joe’s seminary years. During that time, Freda worked as a nurse to support him and their growing family.
Joe’s first job after ordination was as a curate of St. Peters Church, Parr, St Helens. He went from there to serve as curate at St. Mary’s (now demolished) at Bootle near Liverpool. From there he went to Southport, Lancashire, where he was Vicar of St. Simon and St. Jude.
While at seminary, Joe had met the Rev. John Guest. John Guest encouraged Joe to come and work in the ministry in the United States. In 1974, Joe received the call to be rector of Church of the Redeemer in Okmulgee, OK, and served there until 1976.
At that time, his old friend from seminary John Guest was rector of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Sewickly, PA. The Associate Rector of St. Stephen's was the Rev. John W. Howe. It was there at St. Stephen's that John Howe met Joe Kitts.
In fact, while visiting the U.K. in 1974, John Howe and his wife Karen stayed at Joe and Freda's “Cottage" (built in the side of a hill) in Wales. It was during that visit in the U.K. that John and Karen and John Guest were seeking wisdom and support for what ended up becoming Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, PA.
John Howe was called in 1976 to be rector of Truro Church in Fairfax, VA, and shortly after he arrived he asked Joe Kitts to join the Truro staff as Assistant Rector for pastoral care and evangelism.
Joe served through the ministries of two rectors (the Rev. Martyn Minns arrived at Truro to be rector in 1991) and an interim during his eighteen years at Truro, retiring back to England in 1994. He and Freda settled in St. Martin’s, Oswestry, England, and to their farmhouse, "Windy Ridge" on Cottage Lane.
They enjoyed their many years together in England, sharing their warm hospitality to all who came to visit. I remember visiting Joe and Freda at their home in England and Joe took me for an unforgettable ride on the historic Snowdon Mountain Railway in Gwynedd, Wales.
In 2008, Freda went home to the Lord. Joe continued to joyfully receive friends and guests, sharing the good news and love of Jesus.
Joe and Freda are survived by their three children, Keith Brainerd (and his wife, Beatrix) Kitts, Gillian Ann (and her husband Mike) Bigg, and Denise Ruth Kitts, as well as eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, with one on the way.
The funeral for the Rev. Joe Kitts will be on Tuesday, September 10, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Martin's Church in St. Martin, Oswestry, England. The Rt. Rev. Martyn Minns (former rector of Truro, 1991-2007) will be taking part in the funeral there.
There will also be a memorial service on October 5, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. at Truro Anglican Church (10520 Main Street, Fairfax, VA). The Rt. Rev. John Howe (former rector of Truro, 1975-1989) will be preaching.
One year, when my youngest daughter June was about 3 or 4, we were at a Christmas service at Truro.
At the conclusion, they sang Happy Birthday Jesus.
Now June knew that if you sang happy birthday to someone, they were in the room so she started searching the room to find Jesus. Finally her eyes landed on Joe who was sitting on the "stage."You could see the light in her eyes as she saw who she was sure was Jesus.
And truly, Joe DID so clearly reflect Jesus to all who knew him.
Adele Aiken
Now June knew that if you sang happy birthday to someone, they were in the room so she started searching the room to find Jesus. Finally her eyes landed on Joe who was sitting on the "stage."You could see the light in her eyes as she saw who she was sure was Jesus.
And truly, Joe DID so clearly reflect Jesus to all who knew him.
Adele Aiken
Funeral for Joe Kitts in England
Joe's funeral and burial will be Tuesday September 10 at 2:00 p.m. Brainerd Kitts, Joe's son, writes that if you would care to send a message, he will read it at the funeral. Brainerd's e-mail address is: brainerdk@btinternet.com.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
When I was a young man at Truro, Joe was my confessor and counselor.
His heartfelt support for us has not been forgotten.
My favorite memory of Joe was the weekday morning that I came across the front lawn at Truro and called out to him, “How are ye doing today, Joe?" His response was typical Joe Kitts. He enthusiastically raised his hand and shouted back, “REJOICING!" I'm sure he had Psalm 95 on his mind and now he can “Rejoice in the Lord Always!"
Dale E. Forrester
My favorite memory of Joe was the weekday morning that I came across the front lawn at Truro and called out to him, “How are ye doing today, Joe?" His response was typical Joe Kitts. He enthusiastically raised his hand and shouted back, “REJOICING!" I'm sure he had Psalm 95 on his mind and now he can “Rejoice in the Lord Always!"
Dale E. Forrester
In 1977 I was single and stationed at the Pentagon with the USAF having just come back from assignment in Korea.
I was being mentored toward knowing Christ by the late Ken Smith who as a lawyer had helped me through the difficulties of a divorce. I spent many hours with Ken and we became good friends. I wanted to know all there was about accepting Christ into my life. Ken was the leader of the Singles Group at Truro and since Joe Kitts was the advisor to the Singles Group I got to know him.
One day in October of '77 while at work I got a personal call from Joe. He told me he wanted to talk to me. We arranged to meet at my house where I lived alone. My first reaction was that I was in trouble and somehow he had found out about my past and the kind of person I was. As we talked, Joe said I needed to accept Christ now. I told him I had a lot of issues in my past to deal with, that he didn't know who I was, and that I wasn't ready. He said, “You'll never be ready, you need to pray now." I said OK Joe go ahead and pray. He said “No, you pray." Well I'm not sure what the prayer was but Joe hugged me, prayed with me again and I have been a new creation ever since.
A little over a year later Joe officiated at my marriage to Diana Hilgartner, who I met through the Singles Group at Truro. She was my best friend then and still is today. We named our first son Andrew 'Joseph' - in honor of Joe. We call Andrew 'AJ,' but Joe always called him 'A.Joe.'
The world will miss Joe Kitts, but Heaven is now a much better place. I'm looking forward to seeing him again.
Dave Boyd
One day in October of '77 while at work I got a personal call from Joe. He told me he wanted to talk to me. We arranged to meet at my house where I lived alone. My first reaction was that I was in trouble and somehow he had found out about my past and the kind of person I was. As we talked, Joe said I needed to accept Christ now. I told him I had a lot of issues in my past to deal with, that he didn't know who I was, and that I wasn't ready. He said, “You'll never be ready, you need to pray now." I said OK Joe go ahead and pray. He said “No, you pray." Well I'm not sure what the prayer was but Joe hugged me, prayed with me again and I have been a new creation ever since.
A little over a year later Joe officiated at my marriage to Diana Hilgartner, who I met through the Singles Group at Truro. She was my best friend then and still is today. We named our first son Andrew 'Joseph' - in honor of Joe. We call Andrew 'AJ,' but Joe always called him 'A.Joe.'
The world will miss Joe Kitts, but Heaven is now a much better place. I'm looking forward to seeing him again.
Dave Boyd
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
I was working with Joe at the time establishing a Seniors' Fellowship.
My elderly mother participated in the fellowship, though towards the end of her life life she was not mentally capable. She just did everything that I told her to do. It certainly made care-giving easier but it did not answer one huge question that I had. “Did she really know the Lord or was she just following and agreeing with everything I said and did?"
I expressed my concerns to Joe. The very next day he was on my doorstep. He came in and talked with my Mother and gently led her to express her faith. After that he simply said, “Well! That's done."
And we all knew that it was. I never again doubted her relationship with God, our Heavenly Father and neither did she. Thank you, dear Joe and praise to the Lord of the universe.
June Leeuwrik
I expressed my concerns to Joe. The very next day he was on my doorstep. He came in and talked with my Mother and gently led her to express her faith. After that he simply said, “Well! That's done."
And we all knew that it was. I never again doubted her relationship with God, our Heavenly Father and neither did she. Thank you, dear Joe and praise to the Lord of the universe.
June Leeuwrik
Monday, August 26, 2013
Things i learned from Joe Kitts ...
- Don't get in arguments about God. Some people will argue for arguing sake (for example, Who did Cain marry?).
- Talk to the person about Jesus. This will either end the conversation abruptly or take you to a salvation talk.
- Learn how to give a Gospel message in one or two sentences, in a minute or less time.
- Gather prayer support when you go out to minister to people or on a door to door visit around a neighborhood.
- And always go in twos or threes.
Saved through conversations with his grandfather when he was seven, Joe was blessed with a testimony of God's protective love. I was blessed to serve on the prayer team he set up to support the door to door ministry. He had such a heart for the lost and the un-churched, and such a love for Christ and strong faith in God that all of us who served with him caught his vision.
Ann Westerman
Only a couple of years ago, after Freda died, we went to see Joe where he was living alone in his cottage on the Welshborder.
His lungs were bad from
the illness contracted many years ago down in the coalmine, and he was hoarse and short of breath.
Nevertheless he told us that he went for a daily walk down the lane near his home. “I'm practicing," he said. “I sing hymns in the lane. Soon I'll be singing them in the presence of the Lord, so I'm practicing."
He used to joke that the story of his life was “From Coalpit to Pulpit."
Praise God he is now breathing easily, and singing what he rehearsed so long.
Barbara Bazley
Nevertheless he told us that he went for a daily walk down the lane near his home. “I'm practicing," he said. “I sing hymns in the lane. Soon I'll be singing them in the presence of the Lord, so I'm practicing."
He used to joke that the story of his life was “From Coalpit to Pulpit."
Praise God he is now breathing easily, and singing what he rehearsed so long.
Barbara Bazley
We have wonderful memories as we have been to visit Joe during our two years in London.
We first saw him in his home and he insisted on walking us to the car although he was not steady on his feet. Soon after that his children thought it best for him to be in a nursing home close by his home. However Joe always believed in “Blooming where you are planted." He was the life and soul of the nursing home talking about His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at every opportunity. We were blessed to visit him there several times and it was well worth the six hours of travel it took to get there!
From the moment we arrived at Truro, he took us all under his wing and Joe was always supportive and guided Martyn. At the first service Joe literally pushed Martyn into where he should stand.
One funny incident was when Martyn gave Joe an answering machine. Joe was adamant that he did not need one as he always answered his phone when he was home. He said he was not like Martyn who never answered his phone. However he was never at home as he was always visiting!
When he left for England he would not give us a list of those whom he visited. His answer was that he himself would continue to look after them from England. This he did returning and visiting.
We love Joe Kitts. We look forward to our reunion in heaven. We give thanks to God for the gift of his life. To God be the glory great things he has done!
Angela Minns
From the moment we arrived at Truro, he took us all under his wing and Joe was always supportive and guided Martyn. At the first service Joe literally pushed Martyn into where he should stand.
One funny incident was when Martyn gave Joe an answering machine. Joe was adamant that he did not need one as he always answered his phone when he was home. He said he was not like Martyn who never answered his phone. However he was never at home as he was always visiting!
When he left for England he would not give us a list of those whom he visited. His answer was that he himself would continue to look after them from England. This he did returning and visiting.
We love Joe Kitts. We look forward to our reunion in heaven. We give thanks to God for the gift of his life. To God be the glory great things he has done!
Angela Minns
I used to go with Joe on evangelism visits to those folks who attended Truro for the first or second time.
On the way he loved to use the car phone he had (one of those early phone before cells or bluetooth) to call ahead and see if the people were home (it was kinda like a big-boy toy for him, I think...). Once at their home, he could start a conversation using any object he might see - like a photo, book, clock, piece of art, you name it. He would gradually lead into sharing the Gospel using his unique creativity, and had such a winsome way that people had difficulty resisting his approach. He often urged me to share some part of my testimony or the Gospel to give me some experience. I attribute his training (along with Ed Pritchard's) as indispensable in becoming comfortable with sharing the gospel myself. On the way back to church he would de-brief the evening and encourage me. What a master he was!
Karen Phillips
Karen Phillips
What a man of God!
I just loved Joe. If you admired something in his house, he'd GIVE it to you!!!! You had to be careful.
Harry Strong
Harry Strong
The Rev. Joe Kitts, yes-a friend, but always, it seemed, the quintessential, priestly “father figure" to so many.
Following his retirement, anytime he returned to his beloved Truro, he would swing right and left, to-and-fro, pressing the flesh of so many who appreciated him and wanting to be remembered by him. There never was enough time to reach them all! Dear Joe, we are happy for where you are now ... but you will be sorely missed.
Will & Tammy Putz
Will & Tammy Putz
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