Many years ago, I discovered the closeness a church family could provide. My father had been an itinerant preacher, taking preaching positions which caused us to move to various locations over the years. We also attended church services—not the same one for long, though. When we finally settled in New Orleans, LA, attending the same church over a period of time would introduce me to the relationships of a new type of family: a church family!

​

I remember our initial visit to an old VFW building downtown where Word of Faith held their services. My family took the streetcar from our uptown apartment and got off from the clanking, swaying ride to begin our walk down the street to an imposing building where the church service had already begun. Music streamed towards us as we opened the front door. As older children, my sister, Nelly, and I were ushered down steps to a basement where Sunday school was being held. To our surprise, the teacher wore makeup! We had been attending churches where that was considered to be “worldly” and not part of the Christ-like lifestyle.

​

Following the Sunday school lesson, we walked back upstairs to find our parents to sit with them. The second surprise of the morning: our teacher was sitting at the organ playing hymns. Nelly and I looked at each other amazed. “What? He has an unsaved person playing the organ!” We couldn’t keep our eyes off her as she played, smiling and keeping up with the pastor, the music director. Little did we know we would meet her again!

​

After the sermon and the altar call for those desiring to give their lives to Christ, the organist and teacher came down from the platform to greet us formally. She laughed and said, “Well, hello! I’m Barbara Jean, the pastor’s wife.” Increasing our wonder, she added, “We are having a party at our house for the youth on Saturday night. You girls are probably old enough to come.” Again, our eyes widened at the thought of a church where the pastor’s wife wore makeup and obviously had her hair styled professionally. Now she was inviting us to a party! Would Dad allow us to attend? We were used to strict rules and had not been to parties before except for birthday celebrations Mother had given us with a few friends attending.

​

How quickly we found ourselves being included truly surprised us. Personally, I felt a connection just from the warmth of the invitation. But that was just the beginning of a 50-year attachment with a growing congregation that would include weddings (our own) plus others from the youth group we found ourselves not only attending but directing as well in years to come. Showers! Wow! Many showers held for future brides and mothers-to-be connected us repeatedly to women of the church. Some took us on as their personal projects and offered to pick us up to take us to many social events. We were in! We linked in with wonderful women of faith who not only taught the way to live for the Lord (which didn’t require looking like yesterday’s memory: tired, worn, and pale). These women prepared food for showers and wedding receptions and funeral family gatherings just as families in the natural would be expected to do, rallying around the bereaved to offer comfort and help.

​

The church had become an extended family for us. From members, we learned valuable lessons for life’s future challenges. Mom and Dad had faithfully taught us, but additional outside help somehow emphasized and strengthened the importance and validity of the messages given. Our church family provided many opportunities for our won discoveries of gifts we hardly knew lay inside of us. We formed our own trio with a talented friend, and our pastor allowed us to sing in church services. Nelly and I loved socials, and we soon offered to help with decorations and theme parties for the youth. Teaching Sunday school beginning at age 16 also opened windows of growth in learning the Word and preparing visual aids for children.

​

As I look back, I thank God for my extended family—my church family who helped to groom me as a child of God, making me aware of abilities I could use in my future as a wife, mother, and school teacher. Now, in a new location, my adopted church family provides so many opportunities of connecting and functioning with God-given gifts. What a blessing!