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| Pastor David Miller of St. Timothy's Lutheran Church (Naperville, IL) with Ella Sabine Casten on her baptism day. |
The conversation took many turns. It resonanted of individual pasts, collective consciousness, and rituals dictated by those whom came many years before us. It contained laughter, tears, and stoic contemplation. It was both comfortable and uncomfortable as it dug deep into what beliefs were held by three people.
As he shared his experiences, spoke elequoently about Christian traditions, and listened with an ear that devoted itself to the one speaking, his eyes never lost their twinkle; never wavered from his soul.
It was that conversation that brought Lindsay and me to St. Timothy's Lutheran Church in Naperville, Illinois. It was that conversation that ended a long two-year search for a church community that we could embrace. It was that conversation that opened the doors to what we now know as our spiritual home.
Our children are happy at St. Tim's. They thrive in the loving atmosphere that surrounds the entire congregation every time we find ourselves there. They delight in the friendships they have made, the adults whom take time to talk, play, and learn with them. They hum the tunes of the hymnals, with the promise of one day singing along. They say the Lord's Prayer without thinking twice.
Ella was baptized at St. Tim's. We knew nothing of SMA; let alone the fact that the disease was in her body, planning its arrival. We were surrounded by friends and family that day.
There have been scores of baptisms at St. Tim's since then. We have attended others at other churches as well. There is one part of the baptism service that rings loud and clear to me now...as it never really did before.
It's the part when the spiritual leader turns to the congregation and asks if they will accept the child being baptized into Christ as "their own". If they will care for, nurture, and guide the child. Of course, the congregation always responds, "Yes" in whatever fashion is appropriate. The ceremony continues, the child is baptized, and life moves forward.
For us, life took an unexpected turn. The diagnosis of SMA came in like a flood. It washed over our entire life, filling every crack and crevice. It brought with it damage and opportunity. It also elicited the St. Timothy community to honor their promise. The promise made on her baptism day that they would care for Ella. The promise that they would be there for her.
They have been. They are. And they continue to be.
We are truly blessed by the people of St. Tim's.
On March 22, 2014, through the love, compassion and promise that was made, St. Timothy Lutheran Church is hosting a fundraiser for Ella. They've named it "Growing with Ella"...a beautiful name that brings forth the true meaning of their promise.
Below you will find the pertinent information regarding the fundraiser. If you are able to attend we would love for you to meet our community of family at St. Tim's. If you could share this post, we would love to meet your friends and family who might attend.
As he left our house, Lindsay and I knew that Pastor Miller represented the entire congregation of St. Tim's...and we knew our search for our spiritual home had ended and our life had begun.
Please visit the Facebook Event Page at:
