Each week during our "Share the Message, Share our Message" campaign, a member of our congregation will share their message about why First Congregational is such a special place. Some of these messages will be archived on the menu to the right.
Helen Bernardez
I have rejoiced to hear all of the testimonies from so many of our newer church members, so when Katherine asked me to take part, I felt I should try. BUT last week Dorothy shared her thoughts from the vantage point of a 57 year member! We have been members for only 32 years.
 I grew up in the Presbyterian Church and graduated from Hanover College which was Presbyerian related. Sillliman University was served by both Congregational and Presbyterian missionaries, and the United Church of Christ in the Philippines was formed by the uniting of not only both of these church but also the Disciples, United Brethern, and other Protestant decominations. When we arrived in Fort Worth, we church shopped awhile but when we attended First Congregational, we immediately felt at home. Dr. Skokan was involved in missions and knew some of our friends. Someone asked Tants to join the choir that first Sunday. Our sons were teenagers and were a little dubious about joining. I found our Statement of Faith in the back of our hymnal and asked them to read it. They decided they could accept it. Having been taken to some of the more formal churches, they also said, “We can wear T-shirts here!”
I love some of the phrases in our Statement of Faith–
God seeks in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.
God calls us into the Church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship.
God promises courage in the struggle for justice and peace.
I also like our local church statement of faith. I remember the congregation working on it one night after a potluck supper – and Carolyn Crowley later improving the phrasing. We are ”united in our diversity” . There are many kinds of diversity. Aside from Tants and me being ethnically different, our daughters married Filipinos and our sons Caucasians. We also have adopted grandchildren, one of whom is part Korean and one part Hispanic. Most of our grandchildren were baptized and confirmed in this our church and loved going to Slumber Falls. Now they are scattered from New York City to Seattle and points in between. Probably most will be here Christmas Eve! We have always felt fully included at FCC.
I like our openness to ideas and discussions, classes like “Living the Questions”, Dave's thought provoking sermons and linking us to our national church's leadership. We've enjoyed getting to know
new people with all their fresh ideas and energy, so all of us together must now Share Our Message! |
