My Church Family

By Diana, Alice and Gail

One of the things that Alice and I have really enjoyed since becoming part of this church is the intergenerational focus. “Our church really appreciates kids,” Alice reflected one day after we attended a service at another church, at which kids were shuffled in and out like a small stampede to which the adults gave a wide berth.

At Church of Our Savior, children are fully integrated into every part of worship. By offering intergenerational services that allow kids to actively participate by reading scripture, trusting little kids (with help from older ones) to extinguish candles and bring up the bread and wine, and allowing kids a few years older to hang greenery around the sanctuary, kids feel like they are appreciated as important parts of the church community.

This integration and appreciation of people of all ages allows for meaningful connections between kids and adults.

One such connection blossomed between Alice and Gail. When Alice joined the baptism class, Gail, a longtime parishioner who served as a youth mentor, became someone she got to know better. Sharing a love of travel, they exchanged postcards and letters over the summer, Gail sending greetings from Mongolia and Africa, and Alice replying from Vermont and France.

“Gail and I have a lot in common, despite our age difference,” Alice reflected. “She used to be a gym teacher, and she is still very active. She also likes to travel, like I do. When I got baptized, Gail was there and supported me. She made me feel welcomed into the community. It’s nice to always say hi to Gail and talk about whatever’s going on. Gail is a good listener and has lots of positive vibes that cheer me up. I hope I can be like Gail when I am older.”

Gail told us that when she was growing up, her oldest friends were her grandparents who lived downstairs. Every Sunday, she went to church with them. She told us about how much she enjoyed joining the COS youth baptism classes last year. “I was invited to join the youth group learning about baptism, and in the process, I learned more about the young people in the group. I was impressed by all of the participants, and I was honored to be asked by Alice to stand next to her chosen godparents during the ritual of baptism.”

Gail told Alice that having a connection with a young adult who is a member of the same faith-based community is a meaningful experience. “Even though more than sixty years separate our ages, there are goals and ideals we both share. Would I know Alice if she did not attend Church of Our Saviour? Probably not, unless she were a family member. But she is. Alice is a member of my church family.” 

Alice and Gail