The Star

I went back to Omaha for the holidays and had a chance to go to visit my "home church", Morning Star Baptist Church.  Its the church I grew up in.  It's where I was baptized.  The church where many of my family members were married and, sadly, eulogized.    

Whenever I come back to Omaha, I try to visit the church, but this time for some reason, I was emotional about the visit.  There were so many faces I did not recognize, but what moved me most were the faces of the people I have known since I was a little girl.    The elders.  I saw many of the women and men who helped mold me, in one way or another, into the Christian woman I am today.

I saw Mother Adams who lived around the corner from my grandmother and was a dear friend of hers.  She taught Sunday school and always scolded me when she hadn't seen me in Sunday school for some time (which was quite often).   I saw Mrs. Long.  I used to stand next to her in the choir and would marvel at her powerful alto voice.  She was quite funny too...in fact, she was the first person I ever heard use a swear word on church property.  Thinking back, I think she just said  "hell", but for my young ears, she may as well have dropped the "Eff bomb". 

I saw Mrs. Burke.  She would often pick me up and take me to children's choir rehearsal.  I grew up with her children and they lived two blocks away from us.  

 I saw Katherine Wilson.  We used to sing together in the choir and I remember when her kids  were born.  I also remember how broken hearted she was when her sister was murdered and how the church supported her when she herself a single mother, took custody of her sister's children...one of them was developmentally disabled.  

Finally, I saw Deacon Welch.  He has been a deacon at the church for as long as I can remember.   His wife, Ms. Edna, was stylish in her extravagant, but classy hats.  She was soft-spoken, but strong and powerful (at least that was how I saw her).

And there were others...Beatrice, Norma, Bobby, Mrs. Keaton, Mrs. People's, Mrs. Coty...and many many more.  

Age has slowed many of them down, but most are still active in the same ministry they were in when I was growing up.  And just as life goes, many have passed on leaving only memories to cherish.  

Mother Adams still sings in the choir. Still standing there while everyone else moves to the beat. Mrs. Long and Mrs. Burke  were also still singing in the choir.  When I asked Mrs. Long's daughter how her mother was doing, she replied, "She's good...still crazy". I knew then that she was still making people laugh.  One of the elders who is now in a wheelchair and is noticeably frail after having a stroke, called me over by name to say hello.  

Me and Katherine Wilson

All of the children Katherine raised are grown, including her own.  She shared with me that her youngest daughter is a school teacher in MO.  

I shook Deacon Welch 's hand as I walked around to give my offering.  He's still a deacon and his wife still looked beautiful in her red and black hat.  

Many things have changed at the church...it has moved to a new location. In fact, I overheard someone giving the address of the church and it was different than the address I memorized as a child.   The church is larger.   People are still friendly, and even though I don't recognize a lot of faces anymore, it was the "old faces" that reminded me that I am still at home...