Remembering Wayne
Welcome, Roll Call, and Prayer
Jeff Eddings
“Goodness of God”
Nikki Smith Porter with Jerome Kirkland
Reflection
Shaq Hager
Rick Mason
“Compassion Song”
Mark Williams
Reflection
Brian Johnson
“40”
Bill Casey with Brandon Terry, Lorenze Jefferson, & Jerome Kirkland
Reflection
Ginny Giles
Closing Song
Keea Dorsey and friends
Prayer
Jeff Eddings
Memory Stations
Memory Station:
Songs for Wayne — A Community Playlist
“Music can change the world because it can change people.”
—Bono
Take a moment to call to mind a memory of Wayne singing — his voice so loud and clear, so beautiful and honest. Maybe you remember him singing a worship song in church or belting along with Prince or making up a song about whatever was happening in the moment. His life was a well-curated playlist. What songs come to mind for you when you think of Wayne? Please share these songs on the playlist sheets on the table, or by using this Spotify link. We will be compiling these songs to make a community playlist that we can share and listen to as we all continue to celebrate his life and grieve his absence. May his song continue to change us.
Listen to some of Wayne's favorites below!
So 80s
Black Girl Anthems
White Girl Anthems
My Life in the Sunshine
Street Preacha!
Memory Station:
Meet a Stranger
“A friend may be waiting behind a stranger’s face.”
—Maya Angelou
Wayne was a connector of people, a friend to all. His circle is wide and the ripples of his life and impact are expansive. Walking in his footsteps of befriending the stranger, meet someone today that you haven’t met before. These questions can guide your conversation:
- How did you know Wayne?
- What's a quality that you admired in Wayne?
- How has knowing Wayne changed you?
- What's something that Wayne would have appreciated about today?
- What helps you as you walk through this grief?
And lastly, take a selfie together and upload it here to document the ripples of Wayne’s gift of connecting us all.
Memory Station:
Book of Memories
“The truest story so rarely survives. We must become the keepers of our own memories. Practice collective remembrance.”
—Cole Arthur Riley
Take a moment to think about your life story and about how your path crossed with Wayne’s. With gratitude, notice what moments stand out for you in your memories of life with Wayne. Maybe you find yourself remembering big moments of Wayne playing an important role in a major life event, or maybe your mind is filtering through smaller everyday moments of companionship and co-journeying. Take a moment and share a story about Wayne, in words or in pictures, that will be added to a memory book for his family.
Memory Station:
A Quiet Moment for Mourning and Celebration
“...It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, and don’t take yourself too seriously—take God seriously.”
— Micah 6:8 (MSG)
Let a quiet room, set aside in a loud and busy world, be an invitation to take a moment to be fully present in your body, with your feelings, your memories, your hopes and prayers. May Wayne’s memory be a blessing.
Memory Station:
A Keepsake Quilt
“You have to keep making the necessary stitch, and the next one, and the next. Without stitches, you just have rags. And we are not rags…We mend each other’s brokenness, one stitch at a time…We stitch together quilts of meaning to keep us warm.”
—Anne Lamott
Take a moment to meditate on all of the gifts that Wayne shared with you in his friendship. Think about who he was, what he valued, what he taught you, and how he cared for you. Notice if one word stands out for you today. One characteristic that embodies Wayne’s heart. On a square of fabric using the provided fabric marking pens, write that word- a gift from Wayne that you will carry with you and share with the world. Write your word legibly and centered on the fabric, as it will be sewn together with the other squares, stitch by stitch by stitch, to make a quilt of Wayne’s light and legacy, his warmth and tenderness.
If you have sewing skills or an interest in learning, please write your name and contact information on the clipboard at the table. In the weeks and months ahead we will be gathering a small group to piece together this memory quilt for Leeann.
Wayne's Ministry Legacy
Wayne devoted his life to ministry, faithfully serving the Church and the Pittsburgh community across many seasons and roles. His journey included meaningful leadership and service with organizations such as Family Guidance, the Urban Impact Foundation (UIF), the Coalition for Christian Outreach (CCO), Allegheny Center Alliance Church (ACAC), and Pittsburgh Urban Leadership Service Experience (PULSE). In each setting, Wayne brought a deep commitment to discipleship, a heart for people, and a passion for seeing lives transformed. Known for his joy and the laughter he shared so freely, Wayne had a way of making people feel seen, welcomed, and encouraged. Whether walking alongside children, young adults, strengthening families, or investing in community-based ministry, his work was marked by humility, consistency, and a genuine love for others.
In his time with The Pittsburgh Project, Wayne served in multiple capacities, including board member, Mission Advancement Manager, and ultimately Executive Director. He stepped into leadership during one of the most difficult seasons in the organization’s history, providing steady guidance, care, and compassion to both staff and the surrounding community. The Pittsburgh Project’s work of serving young people on the Northside, growing them into future leaders with the hope of transforming communities, was deeply aligned with Wayne’s heart for youth and long-term impact. While his tenure came to a close during that challenging season of transition, Wayne helped bridge what many feared might be an ending, offering hope, stability, and a path forward. His leadership demonstrated his faith in God’s provision and his deep commitment to the people he served.
Wayne most recently served as Executive Director of Open Hand Ministries, where he continued his lifelong commitment to holistic community development and walking alongside neighbors with dignity and care. Open Hand’s focus on addressing the wealth gap and helping families prepare for and achieve homeownership reflected Wayne’s belief in both practical support and lasting transformation. He believed deeply in the power of relationships and the importance of creating pathways for individuals and families to thrive. Whether leading, serving, or lifting his voice in song, Wayne’s presence was both steady and uplifting. His leadership reflected both conviction and compassion, and his joy was evident in the way he connected with others and encouraged those around him.
Wayne was a co-founding Pastor of Cityview Church, serving alongside his wife and Lead Pastor, Leeann. Together, “Team Younger”, as they referred to themselves. embodied a shared calling to shepherd and serve their community. Cityview’s commitment to being rooted in Jesus, pursuing justice and liberation for all, and living with a spirit of inclusivity resonated deeply with Wayne’s life and ministry. Together, they led with authenticity, faith, and a deep love for people. Wayne’s pastoral heart was evident in the way he preached, cared for others, and led worship, creating space for both reverence and celebration. His ministry at Cityview was a reflection of his life’s work: faithful, relational, joy-filled, and rooted in the hope of Christ.
Wayne’s life in ministry was a song of faith, joy, and service, one that will continue to echo in the lives of all he touched.