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Dad died in 1987. I took our young son across state to Mom’s for a week, leaving our fourth-grade daughter home with my husband. Someone from church showed up with a meal daily. My husband (not a churchgoer) asked why people were doing it. Charisa stomped her foot and said, “Daddy, this is what churches do.” I learned later there were two other families our very small church was providing food for that week.

Laura Beaver, Benton City (Washington) UMC

My church was in the process of establishing a women’s support group for those facing loss when my father’s illness became terminal, and he died. My husband was also facing major surgery, and I was concerned about a possible compounding of grief. The support group gave me an opportunity to discuss my fears in a safe environment. It was also free, saving me the expense of professional counseling.

Andrea Bonnar, St. Matthew’s UMC, Acton, Massachusetts

Calvary UMC gave my band shelter when we [needed] a place to practice. As payment, we signed a contract to be the “house” band for a few church events each year. I attended a Good Friday service and found myself spiritually touched. I joined the church; provide music at quarterly community blood drives; and, when scheduling permits, give beginner guitar lessons, sing in the choir and play a special worship song during Sunday service.

John P. Bruton, Calvary UMC, Dumont, New Jersey

A few days before I departed on a business trip to New York, my daughter’s doctor told her she might have cancer and scheduled her for surgery. My daughter, 33, and a mother of four, insisted I travel as planned. I contacted my church’s prayer chain. Knowing other people were supporting us in our feelings of terror and helplessness was very powerful. My daughter made a full recovery. We are very thankful.

Vicki Daughtry, Lynnewood UMC, Pleasanton, California

After an abusive marriage, my children’s father and stepfather abandoned them. The children were angry and hurting. Our church family fought hard to prove to them that they were loved and that some people could be trusted. It took a long time, but the church was with us for the long haul. Today, my grown daughter is going into children’s ministry, another daughter will be a missionary in Guatemala and my son, 13, has preached at the church. Through the power of Jesus, my church has transformed our lives. 

Janie Detling, Evangelical UMC, Greenville, Ohio

I have been a member of Southern Hills UMC since 1974. They have supported me mentally, physically and spiritually in several crises – tornado, divorce and emergency surgery. In 1999, the infamous Moore tornado severely damaged my house. My church family came running and helped me in many ways. They have always been a great support group and inspiration. I have had wonderful role models to see what it is to be Christian every day. 

Sharon Saulmon, Southern Hills UMC, Oklahoma City

Two minutes from walking down the aisle to begin worship on World Communion Sunday, I received a call that my mother had just died. Stunned, I told the church, turned the service over to a lay speaker and left. I later found out that the lay speaker led the congregation in a tearful prayer for my family and preached an impromptu message. Another lay speaker took my place at a local rehab worship service in the afternoon. 

The Rev. Linda D. Stoddard, Maple UMC, Battle Creek, Michigan

The people of First United Methodist Church, Winder, Georgia, taught me the meaning of “the hands and feet” of Christ in 1976. At 47, Dad suffered a massive stroke. Mom’s diagnosis of breast and bone cancer six months later left our family reeling and broken. I have memories of disbelief, suffering and fear. Stronger are memories of church family at our door with meals, offers to drive Mom for her treatments, men of the church with tools in hand to re-roof our home when finances didn’t allow and masses of cards arriving with just the words needed on a given day. The people at Winder FUMC taught a teenage girl (who is now a grandma) how actions of love shone when it was very dark for me personally. 

Anne Wade, Redwine United Methodist Church, Gainesville, Georgia