Clergy and parishioners bid goodbye during a bittersweet Farewell Mass for retiring Bishop Suffragan Paul E. Lambert, who had served nearly 40 years in the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas.

The service took place at Church of the Transfiguration where Lambert began his career as a curate 38 years ago. Retired Bishop James Stanton gave the homily and also spoke a few words about the beloved bishop.

“Paul is one of those memorable people who never fail to make an impression, and above all makes friends,” Stanton said. He could quickly and easily make connections with people in any scenario and would then soon look after their spiritual health. “He did all this not ostentatiously but with his usual jovial and affable self.”

Lambert served the diocese in a variety of capacities including priest, canon to the ordinary, bishop suffragan and bishop pro tem. He also served on numerous boards and committees. He is known throughout the diocese as a pastoral leader who has an easy smile, excellent singing voice and the giver of big bear hugs.

“Hugging Bishop Lambert is like being wrapped in God’s love,” said the Rev. Rebecca Tankersley assistant priest at St. James in Dallas. “Singing with Bishop Lambert is like joining in the Heavenly Host around the throne.”

His strong, beautiful singing voice was particularly noticeable in smaller parishes, noted the Rev. Ethel Channon, vicar at St. Mark’s in Mount Pleasant. “That voice could cover a multitude of musical sins,” she said.

Many of Lambert’s connections included those in the wider church, particularly in Alaska where he led a mission trip to rebuild a church that had been demolished several years ago during a flood. It was in this effort that Lambert became friends with Alaska Bishop Mark Lattime, who was unable to attend the service, but sent this message: “You have shown me that there is really nothing that can separate us in Christ. You have shown me that joy had the power to do great things or to overcome every challenge. “You have shown me the gift of generosity beyond measure.”

During the service, Stanton teased Lambert about his fondness and usage of colloquialisms. “Who can forget his unique use of the language?” Stanton asked. “’That’s so good it makes your tongue want to slap your brains’ or ‘I feel rode hard and put up wet,’ he was always talking about ‘how the cow ate the cabbage’, and who can forget that famous press quote, ‘Holy Moly?’”

A reception was held after the service where clergy and parishioners from all over the diocese stood in line to offer best wishes and receive a trademark bear hug. Lambert’s family including his wife of 41 years, Sally, two of their daughters and three grandchildren were also present. Lambert and his wife, Sally, plan to retire in Tennessee to be near their children and grandchildren.

Stanton summarized Lambert’s strength as a bishop, and told him that he had touched many souls in his ministry as God’s servant. “His greatest gift to the churches he served and the diocese as a whole, beside his beloved Sally, is that he was and is a pastor,” Stanton said. “He knew who he was, he was comfortable in his skin, stood up to speak his mind and gave witness to his Lord Jesus Christ and it was authentic. He was and is faithful to his collar.”

Lambert, who was trying not to get choked-up, said, “I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. “It’s just a wonderful feeling, and I leave with a sense of joy.”