Mothers and the Church

Today’s blog serves to honor God in two ways.

1.  In honor of upcoming Mother’s Day, we are going to be sharing stories of mothers along our faith journey–women and mothers in our church family who helped shape the faith of their own children or others around them.
2. In honor of our 130th year of ministry in Dunn, the anniversary planning team wanted to collect stories and memories of people whose legacy and influence of faith lives on through the ministry and work of our church family.  We wanted to share these stories with our church family in our gratitude for all they did to strengthen our faith in God.  This week, we look back at a couple of the women whose lives influenced those around them and their story and legacy lives on through the church family at Hood Memorial.

Today we share the words of Karen Krueger, daughter of Marvel & “Tittle” Tart.

I’m not sure when my mother, Marvel Tart, became a member of Hood Memorial Christian Church.  I assume it was in 1949 when she married my daddy, William S. Tart.  She was very young at the time and I doubt she had any idea how important Hood Memorial would become to her.

I remember, as a child, her playing the piano for Sunday School, Bible school, and special programs in the basement.  She loved to play.  She played at home also, mostly hymns but sometimes, she played the The Boogie Woogie and we just loved that.  Today her piano continues to make music in this sanctuary. The piano originally belonged to my daddy’s mother Viola Tart.  Viola’s mother was Civil Thornton, one of the founders of Hood Memorial.

As much as mother loved playing the piano, she loved to sing.  Singing in the church choir held a special place in her heart.  I can’t remember a time when she wasn’t in the choir loft on Sunday morning or the special performances at Christmas and Easter.  

Mother always said the sanctuary at Hood Memorial was the prettiest in Dunn.  I’m sure she never imagined her piano in this sanctuary next to the choir loft.  She must be smiling!

Reflection:  Consider a woman that has influence on your faith journey.  Who are the mothers of your faith?  Who are the women who invested their time and energy into your life and showed you the love of God?  Perhaps, it is your own mother or another relative.  Perhaps it was a teacher or pastor.  Perhaps it was a friend’s mom or someone you worked with.  Think about those women and consider how you can share their story.  On Sunday, you will be invited to bring pictures of women who have been a part of your faith journey.

This Week:

Tuesday, May 7, 9:00 am – Planting Community Garden
Tuesday, May 7, 6:15 pm – Small Group
Wednesday, May 8, 1:30 pm – Prayer & Inspiration
Wednesday, May 8, 6:00 pm – Choir Practice
Thursday, May 9, 3:00 pm – Ladles of Love, Meal preparation
Thursday, May 9 – Saturday May 11 – Office Closed: Pastors Joanie and Jason on Planning Retreat
Saturday, May 11, 11:00 am-4:00 pm – Pastors and Church Board at Camp Caroline
Sunday, May 12, 11:00 am – Worship

 

Upcoming Events:

Tuesday, May 14th, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm – Service opportunity at DUMA Food Pantry