I grew up in the Methodist church up the road in Columbia. In the fifth grade, my mother was a substitute teacher at my school, my Girl Scout leader, and my Sunday School teacher! It was too much. But looking back, I am happy that I was raised in a caring Christian family that taught me the importance of being a good student, an active volunteer, and a follower of Christ. When I joined the church as a young teenager, I learned the importance of pledging and have done so ever since.
Like many young adults, I fell away from the church during my college years. Fast forward to marrying Cress, we knew it was important as a young married couple to find a church home in NYC. Our happy place turned out to be Fifth Avenue Presbyterian, where we were active members and financial supporters for many years.
Before we moved to Charleston, while Cress was in the process of interviewing with the Search Committee, I visited Second Presbyterian solo (well, SaSa was along for the ride in my tummy), and came to the church “incognito,” wanting to see if I would feel at home with the congregation. I slipped into a pew (not my backrow seat I’ve had now for 15 years!), hoping no one would notice me. I remember which pew in which I sat and who was sitting in front of me. Although I never gave up my identity, there was no escaping the friendliness of the congregation. Many of those people, including Miss Betty Aimar who was particularly kind to me that day, have passed on. But Second Presbyterian continues to be a beacon of light in the Holy City.
Being the “preacher’s wife” is not always easy. I have for the most part helped over the years where I could, but with my job and family duties, my plate is quite full – just as I know it is with yours. Last year, though, thanks to Debbie Smith, I was asked to be a Deacon and am having a great time working with my fellow deacons to bring life back into our Second Sunday lunches. And this year, it has been a true pleasure to work alongside David Savard to lead our Stewardship season. I didn’t agree to take this on because I am the preacher’s wife; I did it because as a member of this congregation, I care for this church and all of you. I want to see us flourish and to be able to do all the things we are called to do. I want it to be a place where young children can grow up, like Lily and SaSa did, feeling they have the love of their church family surrounding them. You all are my treasure – your friendly faces and the joy we have worshiping and working together!
But it takes money. We all need to dig deep to make sure that our beloved church is on strong financial footing. Cress and I will be making our pledge in the next week or so and I know we will do whatever we can to support the work of this church.
Like my father who pulled his checkbook out of the secretary in the living room each Saturday night and wrote out his check to the church, I too still like the act of writing out my check each Sunday and putting it in the plate. You may prefer the online giving option we offer. But however you choose to give, it is important to make that commitment on Sunday, November 17th.
The work of the church never stops. It doesn’t take the summer off. The doors are open and the lights are on 52 weeks a year. It is imperative that we give cheerfully and consistently, if we want to see Second Presbyterian thrive. I invite you to join me in stepping up to – and into the plate – with a generous pledge to the lifeblood of this historic church.
- Rebecca
