I grew up in Fishersville on a dairy farm. I attended St. James Lutheran where many of my mother’s family are members. Calvin and I moved back to the Valley in 2007 and began attending St. James. After many years of having the only children at service we sought a church that would offer greater opportunities for our kids.
I met April through a mutual friend and I don’t remember when I first realized she was a Pastor. The day I first attended Westminster I was captured by her sermon. I visited two other churches but April’s words really spoke to me. The Red Door service became a great start to our Sunday mornings. We discovered a variety of opportunities for our kids and I learned some new ways to serve.
My mother illustrated generosity in so many ways. At St. James she played the organ for 45 years, freely giving of her time and talent. The organ and choir at St. James meant so much to her, even as she progressed through Alzheimer’s disease. Her actions taught me much about dedication and perseverance.
Some of my best memories thus far at Westminster include coordinating flower vases for services from the member’s yards (it would be really hard to do that this summer!), my entire family performing in the drive through nativity during the pandemic, serving with Erin in the nursery, and this year experiencing my first Summerlee Mission in WV.
Generosity takes many forms at church and each one of us makes the decision as to how much of our money, time, and skills we give. I find the benefits of giving far outweigh the challenges and momentary stress that can occur from tackling something new or adding more to your plate. I give to church in appreciation for what my family receives, to amplify what our community receives, and to recognize the staff at Westminster for their hard work and dedication.
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