By John Hayden
A spiritual leader and a gregarious friend, Rev. Patrick Rogers impacted every community where he lived and every person that he met. On Tuesday, July 27, 2022, he passed away after a relatively brief fight with cancer. He became pastor of United Church of Christ in Fort Lauderdale (UCC) in 2015 as an openly gay man, leading the community through countless celebrations as well as tragedies.
Originally from Tennessee, Rev. Rogers came to ministry later in life. He studied at Pacific School of Religion. He often described the beauty of the campus and the serenity he found there, confirming his calling. In an April, 2020, interview with OutClique publisher Dr. Steven Evans, Rev. Rogers talked about bringing the LGBTQIA+ community back to God and back to church. “We’re an open and affirming congregation. We don’t tolerate people, we celebrate people like we’re supposed to. Like Jesus did.”
His impact, and his loss, have been felt across South Florida. Fort Lauderdale Dean Trantalis told OutClique, “Patrick has been a beacon of hope for so many in our community who have looked up to him for spiritual guidance and emotional support. His ever-smiling face and positive demeanor will be a great loss to our community. May his memory be eternal.”
“The passing of Rev. Patrick is an indescribable loss for our community,” Wilton Manors City Commissioner Chris Caputo said. “He cared for all. He demonstrated what real leadership and love for humanity looked like. He was both humble and powerful. While he no longer walks with us, his presence can and will still be felt among us for generations to come.”
Over the last few months of his life, Rev. Rogers traveled back and forth to Houston, TX, to receive special cancer treatments. While they took their toll, they never took his spirit. His work at the church always reinvigorated his spirit. Just a month before he died he was organizing Gun Safety Sunday, an effort to get gunlocks into homes and save the lives of people he would never meet. On that day, he was dashing in and out between volunteers, making sure each information packet had all the flyers and a gunlock. It was only when he sat down in his office that he gave a big sigh and took a moment to regroup. Then he was back to himself, getting his message across to me as a journalist, and teasing me as a friend.
When UCC’s North American Fellowship got wind of the gun safety effort, they began working to bring it to all their churches. His work will save the lives of people who have never heard of him. It is his final, but hardly his only, legacy.
Rev. Rogers was also active with the Imperial Sun Court of All Florida, a fun and philanthropic organization. Queen mother, King father Barbie LaChoy and Marc Viens released a statement on behalf of The Court, saying, “Reverend Patrick is a rare kind of person who exemplifies all that is and could be in this world. The love and support UCC has shown the Imperial Court of Florida is a reflection of Patrick’s passion for love, respect and kindness. The Imperial Sun Court of All Florida celebrates Reverend Patrick with our love and support.”
Funeral arrangements are still being prepared and will be shared on UCC’s social media.
