Moving Upward Together

 

In Conclusion: Sharon Tharp

My young family arrived in the St Louis area in the mid 70’s. I had grown up in a Presbyterian church most of my life and when I lived in an area that didn’t have a Presbyterian church I had to make do with another denomination. So one of the first things I did after we moved into our new house was try to locate a Presbyterian church close to our home. 

 I looked in the phone book and called what I thought was the closest church to our location. I called the church office to see if I could get directions. The man who answered the phone was kind and welcoming. I said, “I was a bit confused about how to get to the church, could you give directions?” He said he was sorry but this was his first week as the associate pastor and he was not familiar with the streets but he would try to help. We both figured out a way for me to get there from my house! Who knew it was hidden in the middle of a subdivision! 

I was a young mother of elementary children and it was important to me to have them in Sunday school. I had also lost my mother a few years earlier and I was looking for a women’s study group where I might find mentoring and fellowship. My husband was an engineer looking to climb the proverbial ladder and this was a great community of professionals who offered him friendship and fellowship. Because he was a great handyman he was recruited to be on the property committee. 

 

We had found our happy place! 

As life goes on, the twists and turns of life show up in many ways. My husband lost his job the minute Ronald Reagan took office as he abolished the EPA. The EPA was the only client his engineering company had and he was immediately fired. We also fell into an economic depression. It was 2 years until he could find a job again. With the help of BBJ and pastoral counseling he was able to make it through a very hard time.  We were so happy for him to have an income again. When he got his first paycheck I said I did not see it in the bank and he told me he thought it was important to give the first fruits to the Lord! That is because St Mark had been so important to us. 

Now our children, who attended Sunday School and Youth Group, are gone and have families of their own. But I do think their time at St Mark gave them guidance. My daughter was married at St Mark. My son attended a Christian college and married a woman with a strong Christian background.  

My husband, who has gone on to be with the Lord, was very dedicated to St Mark. What would he want me to do? I think a donation would be a great tribute. 

What has St Mark done for you and your family? Can you help us continue our service to keep our church up to date and welcoming?