A PENNY IN THE CLOTH

As a young child growing up in rural Iowa, I have many fond memories associated with the Moffit farm and surrounding area. I remember going to Tucker School, a one room school, in my early educational years and walking past Champion Hill Church each afternoon on my way home. This small white country church was the beginning of my spiritual education, which has had a lasting impression on me to this day.

What caused this impression? I guess the spirit of family and community. How all of the neighborhood families gathered on each Sunday for worship – attending the potluck suppers, going to the United Methodist Women’s bazaars, attending Sunday School in the church basement, attending services and Bible School, having missionaries visiting our home and sharing in our family meals, and of course, participating in Christmas Eve services – where we gathered together as a family with my parents, my brothers  and our extended family including our grandparents, my aunt, uncle and cousin  and our great aunt and uncle.

This spirit continued during hard times too when members of the church helped my family by harvesting our crops after the death of our father – they also showed much compassion for me and my family after my car accident when I was 10 years old.

 I remember my mother and father being very active in all church affairs. I especially recall a church bazaar I attended with my mother. I was very impressed with a simple, small tablecloth. Sewn into its hem was a row of copper pennies. I had never seen anything like it. My mother purchased the tablecloth for me and, to this day, it is a cherished memory from my childhood. I still have the tablecloth and each time I display it, I am reminded of my friends and family at Champion Hill.

 I believe the spirit of God flows from the Champion Hill Church and I find great comfort in knowing this special part of my past continues to be strong today. I thank God for allowing me to share in this wonderful experience of family and community – and even perhaps a few lucky pennies.