I first came to Christ the Servant Lutheran Church in November 1975, two weeks after I moved to Reston to pursue a job with the U.S. Geological Survey. Sunday services were held in the cafeteria at Dogwood Elementary. Nothing like worshipping in a room that smelled like stale pizza. The congregation was made up of people who had moved to this new, experimental, planned community. There was lots of energy sparked by that newness and being a mission church. I joined the choir which met on Wednesday evenings in a vacant townhouse, with a grand piano. Members invited each other to their homes for meals and social gatherings. As a 22 year old, I felt safe and at home. I soon made several close friends, who included me in the sewing circle to make paraments and banners.
Once the current building was completed, my involvement continued: teaching Sunday School, organizing Christmas pageants, helping with children’s choir, serving on the church council, volunteering as assistant minister, singing in the choir. After my daughter Sarah was born, I became concerned there was not a strong focus on Christian education for toddlers and primary school children. After soul searching, I transferred to another area Lutheran church for nearly a decade. But Sarah and I were drawn back to CTS by several friends who lauded the excellent confirmation program and the excellent music program for young teens. When the bell choir was formed for those teens and their parents, I was a generous contributor. Several bells were dedicated to my Grandparents who were very active in their faith lives and were church musicians. CTS's active outreach program with the women’s shelter at Luther Place in DC was another draw for my daughter and I. Every July, Sarah and I would prepare lunch dishes, make spectacular cakes, and spend her birthday or the Saturday closest to her birthday serving the women who came for the meal. It was both a fulfilling event and a humbling one. These women had such hard lives. They were so thankful for the food and companionship we provided. This experience greatly affected Sarah and fostered her generous nature.
I walked the path to give of myself, my time and my possessions – the definition of generosity my Grandfather Russell shared with me. I happened upon his obituary the other day and an entire paragraph outlines his life membership of St Paul’s Lutheran Church, where he had been Sunday school superintendent, church secretary-treasurer, council member and member of its choir. He always tithed and gave more to special projects and people in need.
My wish for Christ the Servant is to bring back opportunities for young people to serve those in need around our community. For them, to realize God’s call to share what we have with those who have less. And like “The Grinch” to grow huge, loving hearts for all people - young/old; tall/short; struggling/successful; and so on.