May 10, 2009:

Ponderings of a Pilgrim PASTOR

“Mother’s Day Memories”

            On Mother’s Day 1934, my Grandmother and Grandfather Fish with their daughter, Geraldine, my future mother, drove the fifteen miles from Kalamazoo to Otsego (Michigan) to visit Grandma’s mother, my Great-Grandmother Adams.  They all went to worship together in the church where they had grown up, the Otsego Methodist Church.  My father was the church organist at the time.  He always said that when he saw my mother (for the first time) sitting there in the congregation, he instantly fell in love with her.  Two years later they were married and two years later I was born.

            I tell you this charming family story of my own for two reasons.  First, to inquire if you have ever told your children and grandchildren some of the special stories of your family?  These stories can be powerful ways of connecting our children with their heritage.  They deserve to know them.

            Second, to remind all of us that multi-generational families give enormous strength to any congregation.  Here at Pilgrim we have several such families of three and even four generations!

            Actually, there is a third reason to tell you my story:  the Church itself is a multi-general family.  All the members are our parents, our sisters and brothers, our children. We all are connected by ties of love and responsibility for one another. Though, sadly, sometimes churches are dysfunctional families, we are always being called back to healthy relationships with one another and with our parent God.

Love,

Pastor Dave