Author: Mari Walker

Faith Stories: Speak, Lord, For Your Servant is Listening

“‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” 1 Samuel 3:9

In seminary, a frequent topic of conversation involves what you will do after school. Students ask if you are planning to be ordained, what you want to do after graduation and what ministry God is calling you to be a part of.

When I entered seminary two years ago at Candler School of Theology with my husband, Peter, I knew it was where God was calling me to be. However, I wasn’t really sure what that would mean for my future in ministry. It was still sort of amazing that I was pursuing a life in ministry at all. I did not grow up going to church or being a part of any religious denomination. During high school I felt called to the life of faith. I hungered to know what it meant to follow Jesus and I immediately was blessed with others who were willing to nurture me in that journey. I joined The United Methodist Church because of the leaders who were willing to be part of my spiritual journey. During that time I heard a call from God to form and shape people in the faith as I had been. So in 2009 I became the Youth Director at St. John’s.

Entering seminary, I imagined I would gain knowledge and skills that would help continue to form youth to be followers of Christ. I didn’t consider where else God might be calling me. When I began school and was constantly asked the questions of ordination and call, I became frustrated because I felt God hadn’t given me much more direction than “go to seminary.” I started to get restless and angry that my fellow classmates and Peter had wonderful and clear call stories while I waited and hoped God would speak to me about what might be next for my life.

During my second year at Candler I took a class that focused on discernment. The course helped me to realize that in my prayers to God for direction, I was not really listening. Instead I was only listening for the direction I wanted for my life. I was trying to shape God’s call for me and in the process I had failed to listen to what bigger plans God may have in store.

The Scripture of 1 Samuel came to my mind. Although the Lord was calling Samuel by name, he could not fathom this sort of dialogue with God. He could not see or understand what was right in front of him. Ironically, the blind Eli realizes it first. Eli instructs Samuel to “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’”

My time at seminary has opened my heart to be in faithful dialogue with God. I finally got out of the way and said, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” That was all that I needed to do. I now clearly see and hear that God has called me to a life of Ordained Ministry. Each day I continue to be as faithful as I can to that call and I continue to be open to God’s voice.

Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.

Leah Gaughan 

Faith Stories: The Shepherd’s Market’s Second Anniversary

The Shepherd’s Market celebrates its 2nd anniversary today! I want to share some of the ways that we have made an impact during these two years.

When we opened in 2012, the Food Bank estimated that we would serve about 250 families per month. As of the end of June 2014, we have served an average of 366 families per month, and many months we serve more than 400 families. Our demographic information shows that each month we serve 550 adults, 600 children, 35 elderly and 6 homeless people. So far we have served 1,421 families at the Shepherd’s Market. Some of these families have only come once, some come every month … but all of them have an amazing story to tell about what a difference the Shepherd’s Market has made in their lives.

Just last week, I received a compliment from a pantry client that I thought you should hear. When the client came in, we had already served our maximum number of 35 families for that particular shift, but our intake volunteers felt God’s nudge and decided to serve this lady. That happens quite often – our volunteers feel God’s presence and guidance. The client had to wait two hours for her turn. I spoke with her as she was leaving … just after she was told by one of our volunteers that God loved her. By the way, that particular volunteer tells all of the clients that God loves them – and it is such a blessing to hear and witness. The client asked me to add her name to the prayer board because she has a medical condition that was worrying her, and then she asked me about the time of our Sunday services. I told her the times and I invited her to join us. She said she would love to come to our church when she could get a ride. I smiled, because I often hear this from pantry clients. But then she added, “Do you want to know why I want to come to your church? It’s because you people are ‘real’ Christians, and I want to be around people like you.” Isn’t that an amazing compliment?

If you are into statistics, you might like to know that we have distributed more than 430,000 pounds of food since we opened. Our average monthly distribution rate is 18,000 pounds of food per month and St. John’s contributes almost 4,500 pounds of what we give out. Each month we collect approximately 20,000 pounds of food from food drives at schools, businesses, other churches, the Food Bank and St. John’s. Your donations of food and money to purchase food have been so generous. It is humbling, and since I don’t always get a chance to thank you for your donations and your time, I want to tell you now – thank you! We absolutely could not operate this ministry that touches so many lives without you.

If you have not yet served at the pantry, I would like to ask, “WHY NOT?” You are missing out on an amazing opportunity that God has placed right before us. I invite you to come and see what is going on in this place – your church – every Monday night, and Tuesday and Thursday morning. I encourage you to really think about how you might use your God-given gifts to help our neighbors. Don’t worry about what you can do to help – we have something for everyone. You should see the 80-somethings that serve in the pantry! And now we have a new avenue for service in the computer room, where clients can apply for jobs and learn how to use a computer.

I know it’s not always convenient. It’s not always pleasant either – some of the work involves sweeping up, folding plastic bags, pushing grocery carts and washing dishes. Did you know that we now have volunteers who are committed to feeding actual meals to each and every client while they wait to receive their groceries? Sometimes pantry clients come by just to get a meal, even when it’s not their day to receive groceries. Why? Because they are hungry or lonely. Sometimes pantry clients come and help serve, because they want to be a part of something good and it’s a way they can give back for what they have received. Serving in the pantry is always rewarding … I will tell you, the clients are not the only ones fed. Volunteers are fed spiritually each and every time they step foot in the pantry.

We open each pantry shift with prayer – we join hands with clients and volunteers, and we thank God for his presence, mercy and grace. Come and see what it’s all about!

St. John’s, I know that we can’t feed every hungry person in our community – but we can try! And if we continue to depend on God to show us the way, we can’t go wrong. We have been anointed as followers of Jesus to bring good news to the poor … to feed God’s sheep. Thank you for answering the call to feed the hungry in our neighborhood.

Theresa Sandifer
“Feed My Sheep”
John 21:17 

Faith Stories: A Letter to Mama

St. John’s UMC member Saroj Welch’s son sent her this letter for Mother’s Day this year, and she graciously shared it with us as a powerful faith story.

Mother’s Day
Sunday, May 11, 2014

Dear Mama,

I saw a huge billboard advertising a mother’s bracelet yesterday. I wondered how much it cost, so I looked it up online. For $30, I could get you one. Then there’s the cost of individual charms that go on it. Without the charms, it looks just like a shiny piece of thick wire, that’s all. You’d need four charms, one for each of your children, all of us alive and married today.

You’d need five more charms for each of your grandchildren, and another two for your great-grandchildren. Total cost: about $250. I could get that for you instead of flowers this year. I could put it on a credit card, and pay installments. But you taught me otherwise.

I began thinking of what you would say about it. First of all, you would say that it cost too much for what it’s worth. That’s true. Then you would point out that the mine workers who worked the silver mines wouldn’t get but a fraction of a dollar. So I talked myself out of buying that charm bracelet and decided instead to write you a letter. There are many charm bracelets, but the personal letters I write nowadays are very rare. Usually I send emails, or I phone you a couple of times a week, just to hear your voice.

What shall I write this year, for Mother’s Day? Acts 2:42 says that the early believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. I thought I’d reflect on our relationship in light of this verse.

I remember how you taught me faith matters. When I was little, you made sure I went to Sunday School, VBS and church. I loved to ride in the back of the College Bus, and when we hit a pothole I would bounce clear off the seat. When my attention wandered in church during the boring sermons aimed at adults, you would fold your handkerchief into a mouse. Chuha was a frequent companion, a distraction from my misbehaving in church. You probably don’t remember how I used to flip the little toggle thingies on the back of the pew in front of me, and it wasn’t until I had grown old enough to learn history that I was told they were to hold soldiers’ guns upright during worship.

I also remember how we sat out in the warm sun one cool day, and you taught me, line by line, the meaning of the Lord’s Prayer, the 23rd Psalm and the Apostles’ Creed. I recall that you told me to stay out there until I could recite them by heart. Jesus has been close to my heart ever since, even when I turned away during college years and couldn’t feel him anymore.

Mama, you taught me the meaning of Christian fellowship. When I grew up and became independent, left the home to come to Ohio all alone, not knowing a soul in this far-away state, I discovered these beautiful creatures called “girls.” When my heart was broken, you advised me to wait because my faith wasn’t. When my desires got the better of me, remembering you made me put the brakes on hormones and think of what Jesus would do if he were in my shoes. Even away from you, I was able to make decisions on my own that reflected the lessons I learned at your knees. And when I made mistakes and suffered the consequences, I know you bent the knees of your heart, praying and waiting for me to come around and to come back to Christ.

When I finally met the woman who finally made me think and act like a man, you were there to gently nudge us into a commitment. You got out your calendar, suggested a date for our engagement and then asked us to come to your home and church for the wedding. You knew me well, that I would be content to go on the way I was, but that I would be happier if Peg and I were married. But more, you were communicating without words, that as far as you were concerned I could stop looking. I had found the mate God had provided. And so Peg and I fell in love, and you arranged the marriage! Children, home, job changes followed, sometimes bringing us close to you and other times far, but we kept in touch: letters, telegrams, and finally reliable phone service and now internet. Your family has grown, and so you are blessed.

Early on, you and many others knew that I would make a good pastor someday. But I had to learn that for myself. I chose to do many other things, to fly a plane, to weld and fix broken machines, to work with people with disabilities. I remember the day I phoned you from the US to Bangalore, India, to tell you I was considering ministry. I remember your joy, but it was nothing compared to the joy we shared when I was finally able, after a long road of study, preparation and testing, to look at you and serve you a piece of bread and a cup of Welch’s grape juice in Iberia, Ohio. Despite the miles and years, you taught me that in Christ we are connected beyond the boundaries of time and space, connected heart to heart by the heart of God.

You also taught me early that the world isn’t always a safe place. You taught me that people aren’t always loving and kind. You taught me that there can be much tragedy, much pain, but that with prayer and faith we can overcome every adversity with Jesus by my side. The storms still come, and sometimes I may feel like I’m drowning, but my lifeguard walks on water, to quote a fellow pilgrim.

Mama, you taught me that there are many people who don’t have mothers like you. And you took them into your home. You helped them heal.  You gave them as much love as you gave me, and there was still enough for me. You helped re-parent those young men and women with broken minds, loving them into wholeness and health. You taught me to never take for granted the life I have, so I would become callous and apathetic toward the poor, the least and the lost. You taught me that each human is worthy of dignity and worth of God’s grace and salvation. Often you were the one who showed them the path to Christ and to eternal life when they were headed for a cliff of destruction.

All my life you have been a shepherdess, guiding when I need it, leading by example, protecting when I was young and supporting even until today. You have modeled Christ, the good Shepherd, and I have known in your voice the voice of Jesus calling me to follow him. I thank God for you, and I thank you for giving me Jesus.

Your eldest son,
Ashwin Kumar

Faith Stories: Lessons for the Heart

Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?” The King will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”–Matthew 25: 37-40

Charles Rainey taught me about poverty. He also taught me about dignity. And, in the end, he taught me about love. The vision of this classmate abides with me even now, after decades of time and experiences have passed. You see, Charles Rainey was a classmate of mine in the fourth grade. We both were growing up in a bleak eastern Tennessee mining town–I in relative comfort in ‘company housing,’ Charles in a backwoods cottage barely accessible by a rutted dirt road.

Charles Rainey had no shoes and very tattered clothes. He didn’t smell good and he always looked like a defeated soul. He sat in the desk behind mine, often with his head down in sheer exhaustion. His red hair was matted, and his hands looked like those of an old man, gnarly and chapped. Every morning Charles Rainey brought a quarter with him that he would pull from his pocket to give to Mrs. Ballew as she was taking up the lunch money for the day. Most of the children in the class paid for their lunches by the week, but Charles Rainey brought his precious quarter daily.

In the lunchroom, Charles Rainey sat by himself. He savored every bite of the pinto beans, cornbread and milk that was offered, and every day–without fail–went back to the line for seconds. He broke my heart with his accepting solitude, his unrelenting hunger.

In the classroom, Charles Rainey showed his brilliance when called on by the teacher. He understood grammar and advanced math much better than those of us considered to be the brightest students. He flaunted nothing, however. I think the combination of his quiet dignity and genuine humility made me love him.

Of course, I talked to my mother about Charles Rainey–what can we do to help? Quiet conspiracies grew to somehow address his needs without wounding his pride. But it was a treacherous road to travel because Charles Rainey’s father was fiercely and proudly independent and angrily refused to accept charity of any kind. Eventually, Mrs. Ballew and a group of mothers were successful in providing sturdy shoes and a winter coat, but we never knew at what cost to Charles Rainey.

Charles Rainey taught me compassion. He has remained in my heart all these years–and always as ‘Charles Rainey,’ never just ‘Charles.’ He taught me the lesson that Jesus tried so fervently to teach us–to love our neighbor, to be concerned for all of God’s children, to share from our abundance with those who are in need.

Knowing Charles Rainey rocked my 9-year-old world, and through that experience, our awesome God–the ultimate opportunist–shaped my heart’s path for the future. I never saw Charles Rainey after fourth grade. I have no idea of how his life progressed. My prayer has always been that he somehow knew that he was held dear. And most of all, I have prayed that he knew that he was beloved by our God who cares for all His children.

Prayer: God of love and mercy, mold us and shape us into the persons you intend us to be. As we experience the grace and love and blessings that you shower us with throughout the times of our lives, give us the heart to share those ultimate gifts with others, especially our brothers and sisters in need. Amen.

Betty Schroeder

Faith Stories: Words of Witness

Faith Story: Words of Witness from Tori Lambert from St. John’s UMC Baton Rouge on Vimeo.

Hi, my name is Tori Lambert and I am a youth here at St. John’s. A few weeks ago, Deacon Sarah asked me to give a little talk on how St. John’s has shaped me. At first I had absolutely no idea how I was going to describe this. But after 3 days and a conversation with Madeleine Blackwood, I knew exactly how to tell you.

A horse shoe, a circle, a triangle, 2 rectangles, and 2 squares

I am going to start with the horseshoe. In the game of horseshoes, the whole goal is to get your horseshoe as close to a stake as you possibly can. As Christians, our game of horseshoes is almost identical. Except instead of a stake, we’re trying to get as close to Jesus as we can.  My goal is to be as much like Jesus as I possibly can.

Next, we have the circle. A circle is never ending -infinite.  Like this circle, God’s love is never ending. I feel like St John’s has shown me an infinite amount of love throughout my entire life. I have been loved more than I could imagine, and I hope I can show that love to others.

The triangle is geometrically one of the sturdiest, if not the sturdiest, shape. St. John’s has given me a firm foundation. Also, the triangle reminds me of the Holy Trinity, which is part of that foundation.

As for the two rectangles, my view on rectangles is that they are stretched out of squares.  All squares are rectangles, but not all rectangles are squares — fun fact. Like these outstretched squares, St. John’ has shown me the amazing results of having outstretched arms — toward the community, the city, the state, nation and other nations. Your outstretched arms have given me opportunities to reach out with my own arms doing things like ASP, Weekend of the Cross and 30 hour famine, and in the future — the VIM India trip. 

Lastly, I have two squares simply labeled as feet. I have been loved, given a firm foundation, given opportunity, and I have been taught how to play Christian horseshoes to the point that I am able to stand in front of you now and Thank You and Thank God for showing me in this unbelievable way. You and God have walked with me and will walk with me for the rest of my LIFE. 

Thank You.
Tori Lambert

Faith Stories: Obedience

I woke up very early from a deep sleep this morning. I immediately had one thought on my mind, and I knew it was God … messing with me … again. All I could think of was “obedience.”

Today is Maundy Thursday, and Pastor Juan is planning a special service at the Shepherd’s Market. The service will include Holy Communion and foot washing. As soon as I heard of the plans, I thought: “Communion is fine with me, but foot washing is not my thing!” I began to make plans to skip that part if I could. But then, God woke me up at 4:00 a.m. with “obedience” on my mind. I got out of bed, poured some coffee and sat down to read my daily devotionals in my quiet spot. Guess what the major theme was in my devotionals for today? That’s right — “obedience” ran throughout each reading, and not one but three of the devotionals talked about foot washing! Wow. At 7:00 a.m., I decided it was time to head over to the pantry to get ready for today’s shift.

All of St. John’s members were invited to attend the special service at 8:45 a.m. in the gym, along with the pantry clients that would be coming for food this day. Some of the volunteers planned an extra special breakfast, complete with pretty Easter decorations set on the tables. When I arrived and saw how nice everything looked, I was once again struck by the devotion and love expressed by our pantry volunteers, who arrive very early and work so hard to serve the pantry families with dignity and respect. St. John’s members began to arrive — both to volunteer and to worship at the special service. I sat and ate with some pantry families and caught up with what was going on in their lives. 

After breakfast, I nervously looked around and saw the foot-washing stations, and I thought about my exit plan. Wouldn’t you know, Pastor Juan asked me to help serve communion, which made it hard to execute my plan to skip out early! The service was so moving and powerful. I saw many teary eyes as I served our neighbors while they stood in a huge circle around our gym. When I finished serving communion, my eyes were drawn to the line of people waiting for their turn … where Pastor Juan and Deacon Sarah were kneeling and humbly washing feet to all who came. I said my goodbyes to a few people, walked toward the door to head out to work, but then, inexplicably, I turned around with the thought, “why not give it a try?” 

As Pastor Juan washed my feet, he sang softly and then he said that he remembered the day that I came into his office and I decided to be obedient to God’s nudging to open a food pantry at St. John’s. There was that word again. Now I was the one with tears in my eyes. Pastor Juan said a lot of other things as I sat there, but the one word that kept rolling around in my head was “obedience.” 

I was blessed this morning by participating in my first foot washing. I was blessed because I listened to God’s nudging. And I was blessed by the message of affirmation from Pastor Juan, who could not have possibly known the word that I obviously needed to hear today —  “obedience.” 

Theresa Sandifer
“Feed my sheep.” (John 21:17)

Faith Stories: Acts of Faith

On October 26, 2013, Pat and Cade Carter celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. The 60+ years spent together were filled with ups and downs like that of most married people and included many acts of faith. However, we did not carry signs with us announcing that we were blessed with faith. We just thanked God for blessing us during our time together. We hope our actions were clear enough to let people know that God was a major part of our marriage. We look forward to more of the same.

Pat and I both were born in Georgia and spent our younger years there. We left that state in 1962 when Cade accepted a research position at the North Mississippi Branch Experiment Station in Holly Springs. After five years there, Cade accepted a research position in Baton Rouge with offices, lab and research areas at LSU. He retired in 1996.

During our childhood and teen years, we were members of the same church in Georgia. After marriage, we joined Methodist churches in our hometowns of Holly Springs, Mississippi and Baton Rouge. Throughout our married journey, Jesus was with us all the way. We firmly believed that God led us through the rough places in our lives and walked by our side when things were going smoothly.  

God watched over us during the birth of two children, several hospital stays for Cade and for Pat and many minor deterrents that slowed us down but did not require hospital care. On the other hand, we hope that our 60+ years together and our acts of kindness, love, and comfort to others are sufficient to demonstrate that we have been and are a long-term, faithful couple. The spiritual aspects of our lives were made easier by God during times when we had heavy crosses to bear.

The most severe health hindrance to come our way occurred in 2007 when Pat was diagnosed with an intense liver problem. Although the doctor told us that the liver problem was not curable, God led us to another doctor (a liver specialist) in the Organ Transplant Center at Tulane University in New Orleans. This God-guided doctor used tests and medication to stabilize the deterioration of her liver and eventually had Pat’s condition categorized as ‘in remission.’ Throughout these trying times, faith was shining through, not only from God as he answered our prayers, but also through the doctor, family and friends as they, too, prayed for good reports. This event was one which, thus far, made us humble and brought us closer to Christ. We are pleased and grateful for the progress made; we have faith that Pat will continue to remain in remission and perhaps improve as time passes.

During one evening, soon after we had been told that Pat had a serious problem with her liver, I was at a restaurant to pick up food for our evening meal. A couple of friends from St. John’s UMC were at the restaurant too with plans to eat their food there. The lady happened to see me waiting in the take-out line so she came and invited me to join she and her husband at their table. I had a few minutes to wait so I went to their table and had a fairly long conversation. After that (at church), I told each of them how important their invitation and conversation were to me at that particular time. They probably were not aware of it, but their expressions of faith that day had a major impact on me. This memory will, no doubt, stay with me for the remainder of my time here on earth. I needed someone to talk to at a particular time and place. And this couple was there, sent by God, and ready to talk. WOW! What an act of faith! It was powerful.

Faith Stories: The Love That Surpasses All Knowledge

Last August I sat with my grandmother and discussed her heartfelt desire for her family. She had accomplished her life’s dream of family – to marry and raise children in faith with the only man she ever loved. The love between this wife and her husband produced seven children, eighteen grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren. She believed her legacy to this world was her family, of whom she was very proud, and on more than one occasion was heard to say, “My grandchildren are my heart walking outside of my body.” Each of us was confident that we were her favorite; she just had that way – she exemplified Christ-likeness.

Maw Maw was 87 years old, and only 18 months prior had been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a progressive disease, making breathing harder and harder each day. Now always tethered to an oxygen tank, this woman who was never sick a day in her life and seemed to always operate at 110%, grew to fear becoming short of breath – getting out of the tub in the morning, preparing a meal, moving from one room to the next. She soon grew anxious about even leaving her home, imagining a failed or empty oxygen tank leaving her without wind in her lungs. In spite of this she often minimized or dismissed her discomfort and anxiety in an effort to shelter those she loved, taking strength in the Lord with a faith that did not wane. She prayed for freedom from her disease, but ultimately and consistently succumbed to God’s will. In the last days, her disease rapidly progressed to the point where carrying on a simple conversation was too much for her. Thankfully, God gave me the opportunity to have another conversation with her, about our love for each other, as per the norm, but this time also about her desire for her family, an important message she conveyed to me so that I may share it with those she loved. Up to this point, I had spent my 42 years engaging with her in conversation and relating to her as a child, her grandchild; as a teen, as a mother, as a business professional, as a wife, as a woman. With me, and all of those in our family, she shared her life not only in words but through action, always setting an example, always mindfully directing us in the way that Christ should have us go, candidly calling upon her own experience to reinforce Christ’s message. 

On a beautiful summer Saturday afternoon I sat beside her in the quiet cool of her bedroom, sunshine streaming in the window, and listened to Maw Maw as she softly spoke, winded, eyes closed as if to imagine the prayer for her family coming to fruition. She reminded me of Ephesians chapter 3, which contained the language she wanted to share with her family, scripture that I had coincidentally begun to study about the time Maw Maw was first diagnosed with her illness, not knowing at that time that God was working in me to delve into, understand and share His word, thanks to the prompting of our Pastor during a Sunday morning service. Ephesians was scripture that she and I had discussed at length, but it became more poignant as her life neared its end. She entrusted me, her eldest grandchild, with the responsibility of sharing her prayer for our family with our family, but as she told me, not in her words, but in the words of the apostle Paul, specifically from his letter to the Ephesians:

That is why I kneel before the father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes it name, and I pray that he will bestow on you gifts in keeping with the riches of his glory. May he strengthen you inwardly through the working of his Spirit. May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith and may charity be the root and foundation of your life. Thus you will be able to grasp fully the breadth and length and height and depth of Christ’s love, and experience this love which surpasses all knowledge, so that you may attain to the fullness of God himself. Ephesians 3: 14 – 19.

In his letter, Paul praised God for the gift of redemption through Christ’s blood and the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace (Ch 3, v 7), encouraging the Ephesians’ devotion to God. Paul’s words are powerfully moving as he conveys the infinite measure of Christ’s love for us, and his desire for us to experience that great love beyond knowledge. Accordingly, it was the desire of the matriarch of our family for each of us to know the Lord in our lives, to feel Him in our hearts and to take comfort in his boundless love poured out on us by grace alone. The life she led was one of faith, and Paul’s words aptly summed up her faith-walk, while encouraging those she loved to accept and embrace the same.

One week after our conversation on Ephesians, on the following beautiful Saturday afternoon, it was my honor to share Paul’s words with our family at Maw Maw’s funeral mass. I felt the Holy Spirit’s comfort and He empowered me to share Paul’s words, the prayer for my grandmother’s family, with fire and passion and faith. And while I previously envisioned that my grief might consume me at that moment, making me unable to share the message, the Holy Spirit filled my heart with joy and conviction, and I smiled from the pulpit, as in that moment I knew that love that surpasses all knowledge.

St. John’s prepared me for this special day and aided in the fulfillment of my commitment to my grandmother. Maw Maw knew this and was pleased.

Natalie Cooper

Faith Stories: Reflections on Faithful Marriage

To go along with the Valentine’s Day celebration, we asked a few couples how their faith has been a part of their long marriages. Here is what two couples had to say. We will feature another couple’s story in a future email.

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“A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12b)

This Ecclesiastes saying symbolizes our marriage with the three cords being God, Bill and Joyce. The love of God and the love of and for each other intertwine to form the foundation of our 50 years of marriage. We have tried to put God first in our lives from the time we met at the Wesley Foundation in college, through the many moves for Bill’s work where we always found a church to become actively involved in, to the years of working together in the Walk to Emmaus and Cursillo. We continue to join with God each night when we read the Upper Room and Bible together, when we hold hands during prayers (even in church) and as we support each other in pursuit of our individual spiritual journeys. God, Bill and Joyce make a strong cord.

Bill and Joyce Perry

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We credit our long and successful marriage to a strong faith in God, a deep love for each other and respect both of and for each other. We are both fortunate to have been involved in churches all our lives. As founding members, we have been involved in many activities at St. John’s United Methodist Church on a regular basis since its beginning. This has placed us among people who love God and support and participate in activities that result in strong family relationships. We are thankful for our 60 years of marriage, the rearing of three sons, the love of God in our lives and the influence that the people of St. John’s has had on us for more than 50 years.

Tom and Martha Burch

Faith Stories: God Sighting

Two men . . . Thomas and John . . . they could have been boyhood friends, playing ball after school and swimming together in the summertime. Maybe they attended the same church and married their childhood sweethearts. They could have grown into adults with successful careers and built strong marriages with happy children and grandchildren.

One, however, became the classic stereotype of a homeless man and comes into the Shepherd’s Market regularly. Thomas’ physical appearance is appalling and his personal hygiene makes it unpleasant for those around him. He has ridden his bike again and expects to somehow load it with all of his food bags and peddle home. Home is now an old house which is far better than the homeless condition in which he once lived. Thomas has severe medical issues, psychological problems, a failed marriage and two children.

The other man, John, works regularly at the Shepherd’s Market. He fits one of the other stereotypes our culture has created. He is successful, well-respected, and he has a large and loving family. John is healthy, active, and leads the life of a true Christian man. Spending many hours weekly at the market, John mingles comfortably among the clients as he has come to know many of their stories.

God was sighted in action that day! Of course, John would not allow Thomas to try to put all of those groceries on his bike. He simply took a break, loaded all of Thomas’ groceries plus his bike onto his truck and took him home. John did what few people would do! He did not judge Thomas, blaming him for his misfortunes, but instead, he acted selflessly in helping a fellow human being.

God sightings are common at The Shepherd’s Market!