"Why I Go To First United …”

It started with the music.

We had just moved to Oak Park in August 1991 and we were “church
shopping”. Jeff and I had grown up Catholic but we had not been active
Catholics as adults. However, we wanted our children to grow up in a
nurturing faith community and had found one when Stephanie was a
toddler—Union Congregational Church in Montclair, New Jersey. When
we moved here, we wanted to replicate that experience.

It was September before I got enough boxes unpacked to find something
to wear to church and off I trotted to First United one Sunday morning.
I came alone the first time and was gratified that I was not assaulted as a
“new face” when I walked in the door. I don’t remember the occasion,
but both the choir and the folksingers sang and I was impressed.

After several conversations with Frank Baldwin and visits to some other
churches, we decided First United was the one. We thought it had a big enough congregation that we could remain anonymous and not serve on every committee available. HA! That plan did not work too well.

Why have I stayed? During the many changes that have occurred since 1991, I have often asked myself that question. There have been painful and divisive times in our congregation over the past eleven years. But every time I have despaired that the spirit of Christ has left us, I have seen it again---the joy of the Hanging of the Greens, the incredible dedication of the Task Force for the Future, the treasured company of women on the Children’s Ministry Committee, the tears watching my daughter and my son in Sacred Dance, the support of church members during my father’s losing battle with Alzheimer’s, the incredible faith we have shown together during the ministerial search process---as I write this I realize how endless the list really is.

Arguably, these things could have happened at any church. But because they happened here, they led me to the real reason I have stayed. I have learned how to pray in this faith community. I never thought that would happen or that I would say it out loud. Even more amazingly, because of this faith community, I am learning that God will lead if I just shut up and listen.

Not bad for someone who came for the music.