Margaret Ruth Hawk, 59, of Galloway, OH, formerly of Richwood, OH, passed away on Thursday, March 26, 2020.

Margaret graduated from Bechtel High School, Bowling Green State University, and the Methodist Theological School. After spending five years as the supervisor of Cokesbury (a United Methodist bookstore), she moved on to her true passion and love - being the Pastor for New Creation MCC in Columbus, OH.  Over the course of 25 years as Pastor, Margaret had many accomplishments but she was most proud of officiating numerous Holy Unions and later several weddings, leading the congregation in establishing their own building, and aiding New Creation MCC to become a monthly Mid-Ohio food bank distribution site.  Most importantly though, she counseled, prayed, held, loved, encouraged, listened, and lifted up each person that came across her path.  Her immense kindness, compassion, and empathy for people guided her life and work.  

One of the gifts Margaret possessed and passed on to others was the ability to find large joy in small things: a bird tugging at fibers on a tennis ball, a petal, a toy. All of these were fodder for reflection and writing. Margaret was a living poem. Her humor, reverberating laughter, keen insight and comfort will be sorely missed. 

She was preceded in death by her life partner, Stephanie Miller; stepson, Nathan Miller; father, Donald Hawk; and brother Kenny Hawk.

She is survived by her mother, Patricia Stout Hawk; stepdaughter, Elizabeth Miller; brothers, David (Linda) Hawk and Andrew (LeAnn) Hawk; cousin Tracy Meisky; as well as a large circle of loving friends and extended family.

A celebration of life will take place at a later date. 

"Standing on Holy Ground"

by Margaret Hawk

March 26, 2014

Standing on Holy Ground has nothing to do with you
your pedicure
your white robe
your religious affiliation
your gender
your orientation
your age
your piety
your anything

Standing on Holy Ground has to do with God
being there with you
even when your feet stink
your robe needs to be washed
and you have no faith community...
when your gender or orientation
is everything and nothing at the same time
when you're one or a hundred and one...
when you can't pray
or when you can...

Standing on Holy Ground has to do with God
being there with you
and you may not even realize it's holy
because of all the things that
"feel" wrong to you

Standing on Holy Ground has to do with God
being there with you, and me,
and even with them...
and every once in a while
we're aware enough to 
realize it.

"Pruned"

by Margaret Hawk

April 11, 2014 

being pruned seems so harsh
the pruned stub so dead

and it is

but close by
is where the new energy
will burst forth
often more prolifically 
than the original growth
could handle

i don't know why this is so
but anyone who has the courage
to prune will tell you it's true

so when Spirit tells you
it's time to change course a bit
to take a new shape
to climb the trellis from another angle
please let the Gardener prune you
so you can continue to grow in a way
that's pleasing to the one whose life
you're meant to reflect anyway

the stub is so forlorn
and the dream of what lay in that direction
taunts the one who cannot accept that
stages of maturity
mean making choices
maximizing energy
and trusting - always trusting -
that the Gardener knows how best to
help you reach your fullest potential