Sunday, January 22, 2012

Soul Searching Sunday

When I look for churches to photograph, I am looking for the church of my childhood.  I went back to my hometown recently and took this photo of that church. 

Dendron United Methodist Church

It still looks the same - a little smaller than I remember - but here was where I learned the lessons of life.  Sunday School was the highlight of the week, and oh, the joys of Vacation Bible School!  When I was old enough, MYF (Methodist Youth Fellowship) was where I wanted to be on Sunday night.  It was in this church that I first played the piano for services, where I first played an old pump organ, where I first sang a duet.  I remember the pastor with the beautiful singing voice, as he sang "Ivory Palaces" as a solo.  I remember the Christmas Pageants we used to have, and the year my mom was the Virgin Mary, shown below.

The photo is a copy of a copy of a scan, so it is a little grainy, but there she is!

There are so many memories of my childhood centered in this little church.  Life was much simpler then...

May your Sunday be blessed!


9 comments:

Dianna said...

Linda, I was in that church for the first time a few month's ago to attend the funeral of a friend's mother. It's a beautiful little church. That's wonderful that you have that photo from the Christmas pageant.
Yes, church activities shaped our lives, didn't they?

Hootin Anni said...

Wow...incredible. To be able to back in time and still have the church of your childhood still standing. Amazing. Loved your share today.

I'm wondering now if the church I was baptised in would still be way back yonder in Nebraska?

Oh and you stirred up memories of Christmas Choirs and the Nativity 'shows' ---I sang solo "Oh Holy Night" one year and I don't think I've ever been so nervous as back then.

I do know for a fact that the church I was confirmed in and married in still stands proud.

Jenn Jilks said...

What a delightful idea for a blog post!
Your camera critter birds are amazing!!!!
And I keep missing Friday Fences...sigh
So many memes, so little time!

Jenn Jilks said...

P.S> Meant to say I love your header!

eileeninmd said...

Hi Linda, How nice to go back and visit your old childhood church. It is a pretty church with some great memories for you. Happy Sunday and I wish you a great week ahead.

Ms. Becky said...

I recently re-visited my the church of my youth too. I attended Christmas Eve candlelight service with my mother. It was a true gift from God too - I was overcome with love for my mother when I saw her tiny figure standing there, holding her lit candle. I love that you shared your memories of your church. Life was much simpler years ago. I suspect that each generation may feel that way as we age, but I don't know for sure. I really like the photo of your mother as the Virgin Mary. happy week to you Linda.

Cedar said...

Oh nice! How great to have the photo of the pageant.

Rose said...

What wonderful memories@

Susan Smelser said...

Linda, I was in the church a couple of weeks ago for Martha Rollings' funeral service. There is a LOT of water damage. If I ever win the lottery that church will be one of my projects.
The church actually has indoor plumbing now - thanks to Mrs. Rollings! She was such a pillar of that church and I hate to think of what will happen without her.