Early Church Memories
Q: What is your only comfort in life and in death?
A: That I am not my own, but belong—body and soul, in life and in death—to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ.
(Heidelberg Catechism Q & A 1)
In a recent conversation with a few parishioners, we were talking about growing up memorizing—or at the very least—learning the catechism, something most people completely miss out on. I remember memorizing this particular answer—I confess it’s about the only one that stayed on the surface of my brain—in the basement of First Reformed Church sometime around age 8. I probably had no idea what it really meant at the time, but it’s an answer that rises out of me now and then because it has been engrained in my memory.
Ken and I were talking a few weeks ago about running out of things you hand out in a children’s sermon. My earliest memory of church is not getting something the minister handed out—in my memory it was some sort of a yarn ball. But what I remember most distinctly was that as I walked back to my pew, an older child gave me her gift. Grace learned very young.
Maybe it’s catechism on Wednesday nights that you remember, or a Scripture passage that you had to memorize, or maybe it’s a favorite Sunday school teacher or a craft that sticks out from way back when. These memories have formed who we are now.
What’s your favorite early church memory?
About Me
- Jess
- Jess Scholten, Associate Minister, First Presbyterian Church in High Point, NC. But also, and in some cases more importantly... wife of fabulous husband-Tom, born in the lovely town of Holland (Michigan, that is), graduate of Hope College and Western Theological Seminary, world traveler, restorer of our log home, Presbyterian Minister ordained in the Reformed Church in America, seven on the enneagram, avid reader, favorite daughter/sister/and well, current associate minister, right?
5 comments:
Some of my fondest memories are of my minister at Albemarle Road Presbyterian in Charlotte, NC, who was an amateur magician and used magic in his children's sermons. I distinctly remember one with disappearing boxes - he had a black table and put on it three boxes labelled "ME", "JESUS" and "SIN" and talked about how when the "JESUS" box was inside the "ME" box, the "SIN" box would disappear. Wow! I think I was about 5 or so.
I remember learning the books of the bible to the tune of an accordion. Yep that's right I said accordion. Laura Wall. She and her husband had been missionaries for many years. Africa I think. I do remember her being very OLD! And boy did we HATE singing to an accordion! Then there was the time my parents left me at church and everyone was gone except the minister and he sat with me while we waited for my parents to come back (no cell phones to call back then) and I cried because my parents "forgot" about me. To only be told that we're never forgotten or left alone when we have God in our hearts.
Melissa Cushman
An accordian, eh? Okay, not all of our memories are so fondly remembered.... Gives us good reason for good Christian ed!
My earliest memory of church is of my first Sunday School teacher(Mrs Simmons) starting every class by saying "God knows how many hairs on your head". Some of the other five year olds would respond with a collective "Wow".
Ralph Cox
One of my silliest childhood church memories was when my very own mother/Sunday school teacher would start the lesson out by screaming/singing out "STOP! In the name of God, before you break my heart, think it o-o-ver" as each of my friends walked in for class. That being said, it is because of her teaching, listening and unconditional faith and love that I am the Christian woman that I am today. Thanks for reminding me to think about the importance of that foundation in my life today, Jess.
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