When we first arrived at ECBC, it was just Sherry and Jeff (Mike was still a year away and Madeline six after that), we weren't sure what to expect. We'd bounced around a bit with Jeff's work in contract archaeology (Virginia, Georgia, then Pennsylvania). We were immediately charmed by the warmth of the community. You all made us feel welcome (those present, those now moved away, and those saints who have gone before us into the joy of God's presence). You also quickly involved us in church projects, which really made us feel part of the crew.
You let us explore our God-given talents and grow them. You watched the plays and monologues ... and appreciated them, applauding for the players, sat ... and laughed ... through the epic Youth Group film "The Wrath of Grapes" (during the filming of which baby Michael became the group's mascot of sorts and received a purple onesie from the youth for ... well, being there), and their production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" with Madeline as the "backstage baby."
Many of you performed in plays, both those purchased from various organizations and those written by Jeff.
You helped us celebrate our joys together and gave us shoulders to cry on when times were tough.
We've enjoyed the retreats, the Christmas eve candlelight services, ringing bells, singing in the choir, seeing pastors and interim pastors come and go, getting to meet founding members of the church, meeting more pastors than we'd ever expected to find in one church (how was this church blessed with so many retired clergy?!), working and playing with the youth group, studying the Bible together in Sunday school classes, and getting to teach a few of those as well, being involved with Vacation Bible School for umpteen years, taking part in special projects such as supporting a family in need or working with Bridge of Hope, taking Christmas gifts to the West Chester shelter and packing boxes of Haiti relief supplies. Thanks for working with Madeline on Project Christmas Child, who Franklin Graham's organization still writes to as Dr. Madeline Snyder. Pastor Mike quipped at the time if he'd known it could be that easy to get a doctorate he'd have never gone on to higher education!
There are so many wonderful memories. We've enjoyed supporting and following Sue Heagerty in her missionary journey, as well.
Jeff: Speaking for myself, thanks for supporting my journey through seminary and into ministry. Your support of my early explorations of my talents helped me down that path toward becoming a Reverend. Thanks for granting me the opportunity to baptize Madeline. That was a wonderful moment for us all.
Sherry: This is my home church. I chose to be baptized here when we joined. Our church family has meant the world to me. People come and go, but the love we have shared remains.
Thank you for blessing us with the love that comes from within. It will always be part of us. It will continue to carry us through our journeys.
Madeline says, "Just tell everyone I love them."
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