More Memories

We had such a great time at our 120th Homecoming celebration last month.  One of the highlights was the Memory Book that Gayle H. put together.  The book is full of pictures and stories - a treasure of recollections from folks in the congregation.

We finally had to put a deadline on accepting entries so that we could send the book to be printed - but that doesn't mean we can't continue to share memories in another format.  And so, I'm delighted to share what Nancy Tiller emailed me after homecoming weekend.  If you would like to share some memories, please email me and I'll post them here as well.  pastor@nokesvillecob.org

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Some of my memories of the Church

There are so many memories that I could share about my Church. I will select the one that I really treasure. I was taken to Church from birth and had many experiences. At that time we went to Church in the Hebron Seminary. It was a large three story white building. My father had went to school there. When we went in the front door there was a large entry room. On the right was a classroom used by the public school system.

On the left was the class room for the little children. At the back of the building on the left was a big kitchen with a big wood range. To the right was a dining room. In the front there was a stairway to the left and one to the right. I would get confused as a little girl as to which one to take to my classroom. If I went to the right, I had to go through the sanctuary to get to the other side where my classroom was.

The center of the second floor was the sanctuary. There was a third floor where the staff had living quarters when it was a school. We children were told not to go up there but of course when told not to do something there was always the temptation to do it. I remember at least one time when I went up. It was night, very dark and scary so I didn't really see anything. I have always wondered just what it looked like up there. Outside there was a concrete baptismal pool. It had steps to go down and up from it. We wore bathing suits when baptized. I was ten when Rev. Olden Mitchell baptized me. I can remember it well. When I was real little Mama would let me sit beside her during Love Feast. She would share the feast with me. I loved it. When I got a little older us girls, Myrna, Sarah and I would go to the ends of the table and get the communion bread that was left and were usually fussed at by some of the ladies. We sure did love that bread. I still love it and have been known to bake it just so I could eat all I wanted. I did not like to see the Seminary torn down but was also excited about the new building.

I was married there and expect to have my memorial service there. No matter where I have lived, going to another Church, The Nokesville Church of the Brethren is my Church. My great grandfather was a circuit riding preacher so I guess The Church of the Brethren is in my blood.