When Ben was around 8 months old, I told Bud that I wanted Molly and Ben to grow up in a Church and have a strong faith in God. Bud said that if I wanted him to attend, it had to be a Presbyterian Church. The next Sunday I dressed 3 year old Molly in a cute dress and we came in the side door of this Church.  Unbeknownst to us, there was a gathering in the parlor with treats. We were enveloped with hugs, smiles and conversation. I knew then that I had found our Church and the village of loving people to help us raise Molly and Ben.

  Since that day, an enormous amount of people in this Church have impacted our family.  Unfortunately, there isn't enough time today to mention all of them, but I am going to touch on a few.   

  At the time, I came to this Church, I was a caseworker in the Welfare Department. Six years later, Charlie Hunt asked me to take a position in the middle school as an at-risk counselor.  I felt right at home at SMS as many of the teachers were members of this Church. Back in the day SPC was known as the Education Church as members included Superintendents, Teachers, Counselors, Librarians, Choir Director, Principals, Assistant Principals, School Board Members and other school staff.

  One of my favorite activities our Church was involved in was an after school tutoring program which Don Stinnette organized. A school bus would bring students to our Church where we assisted students with homework assignments. Norma made sure no student went hungry.  

  Two of our members were instrumental in Ben's life.  Betty Stanley was his 4th grade teacher. One day she shared with me that Ben was the most disorganized child she'd ever had in school. She decided to purchase assignment books for all the students in her class, mainly to benefit Ben. He thrived with the assignment book and used one every year throughout the remainder of his school years. To this day he uses one in his job. When Ben was in 8th grade, Donna LaFollette recognized that Ben didn't like to read. I told her that he rarely opened a school book and didn't like to be told what to read. She said, I'll fix that. She gave Ben permission to read whatever books he wanted to read. When Ben went to IU, one of the first things he did was to get a Library card. Thanks to Donna, Ben continues to be an avid reader.

  Carolyn and Willis Haag also had a huge impact on our family. Willis was needing some help with his yard. He asked us if Ben would be interested. I told Carolyn and Willis that this would be a good service project for him. Ben would mow and perform other outdoor projects for them.  I found out later that Willis would slip Ben $10 a day for helping him out. As most of you know, we were Blessed with bringing Carolyn to Church when she could no longer drive. Those Sundays remain special to us. 

  Paul Scifres was not only a dear friend of ours but faithful in attendance and volunteered for every event the Church sponsored.  We could always count on Paul to supply oyster dressing at Thanksgiving as well as being the King of washing dishes  I admired his devotion to Jinny with his continued faith in God. Shortly before her death we gathered in their living room for prayer and a hymn sing. I felt God's spirit all around us and knew Jinny would be in heaven soon.

  I don't think I know anyone who had more faith and loved this Church more than Norma Eisert. I considered Norma, Alice McGinnis and Helen Roberson as matriarchs of our Church. They were more dedicated to this Church than anything else in their lives.

  Fred and Carolyn Fultz were faithful servants of our Church. Every Sunday I am reminded of them as I focus on the beautiful cross Fred made by hand.

  Leslie and Barb Helsel were dedicated members both spiritually and financially. As a result of their generosity, the audio/visual system has enhanced our worship services.

  Rachel Davis is a person that I still admire. She was a community advocate as well as for SPC. Rachel was one of the most positive people I've ever known. I am so grateful for her as she was the inspiration for bringing our beloved De to us.

  Ed DeJean and David Beck were probably the most influential members for me. They were my role models and I wanted to walk in their footsteps. They were both strong servants of our Church as Session members and as Clerk of Session.  They had loving wives who supported their commitment to our Church.

  With their inspiration, I became a Sunday School Teacher, Youth Group Leader, involved myself in the yearly youth Sunday Worship Services as well as the Christmas Eve Services. 

I served many terms as a Session member and when Ed stepped down as Clerk of Session, I was inspired by them to become the next Clerk.

  When I think of Faith and Love of Family, I see Wilma and Lana. We have shared many joys and sorrows together. We have a bond that can never be broken. I consider them a Gift from God to our Family and SPC.

  I thank God and Bud for that Sunday in 1982 when I walked into this Church with Molly.  I have been so Blessed with past and present members of this Church who've given me Faith to Believe in myself and others. I would always tell students in school: I Believe in you, you just have to Believe in yourself.  

  Thank you God for each and everyone of us and the many Blessings you have given us throughout our Faith Journey.