The Lincoln Journal Star had a story and pictures this morning on St. Paul's United Church of Christ dissolving their congregation after 140 years. Elaine was raised and confirmed in Friedens UCC here in Seward, had gone to Church Camp at Blair, NE with kids from St. Paul's, and maintained a friendship with several of them. When I joined Elaine's Church at the time we were married, it was agreed that if we moved, we would go to my Methodist Church. After moving to Lincoln on June 14, 1958 we did visit the Methodist Church in Uni-Place a couple times but were so impressed with Rev. Crisp and the people in the Congregation that we joined St. Paul's on March 1, 1959. The Kids were all involved in Sunday School as were Elaine and I in addition to all attending Church. I belonged to a Men's group, Elaine taught 8th grade SS and we were members of the 3-Ring Club. It was quite a distance from our house at 6515 Hartley Street to the Church at 13th and "F" Street, and I noted in my Diary that on at least one occasion, we made 4 trips in one day. The Church was a major part of our lives during the 4 years we lived in Lincoln, though I was taking College Courses and working full-time. We had an opportunity to visit the Church a couple times while back on vacation after we moved to Virginia and even a time or two after returning to Nebraska. The Church that meant so much to us and now closing after next springs Easter Service, reminded me of our Methodist Minister's sermon last Sunday on "What Lasts Forever?". He went on to tell that God Lives in People, not in Buildings nor Congregations.
No comments:
Post a Comment