Lines from
Linda
Church ladies , a mighty force
FOR STARTERS columns
“ She is clothed in strength and dignity and she laughs without fear of the future .”
— Proverbs 31:25
I
fondly call them “ the church ladies .” I ’ ve met them in each of the churches
I ’ ve served . They are leaders , comforters and cheerleaders for everyone they meet . I ’ ve been honored to serve churches in inner-city Indianapolis , and rural , small and medium towns throughout the state . I do mean honored . Any pastor who tells you serving as a minister is a “ job ” ought to be looking for a real “ job ” because serving as a pastor is an honor and a privilege . We are invited into people ’ s lives ; we bear witness to the presence of the Holy in times of death , birth and marriage . Those events bringing the deepest feelings of humanity to the surface are those to which a pastor is welcomed . I discovered the church ladies not only supported me as I endeavored to support the congregation but they also supported me and my family at our own times of personal trial .
Women like Patti Holdren . You most likely didn ’ t know Patti but my children did . She will always be a part of them because she taught them “ The Lord ’ s Prayer .” How do I know this ? Because I was amazed they could recite it word by word . I know I didn ’ t teach them . Too busy being the pastor . I asked them where they learned that prayer ; they responded : from Patti . Thank you , Patti Holdren . I know you didn ’ t think of yourself as a church leader but you were a Sunday School teacher of small children . Same thing . Leaders prepare those they lead for the unknowns of tomorrow .
Church ladies help their communities . Women like Helen Fher who was a missionary in Pakistan . At her retirement , she returned to Fountain Square to serve her community . I remember the night neighborhood people gathered in the basement of the Methodist church to plan how to make positive changes in the lives of family and friends . Out of that small group , led by an 80-year-old missionary , grew the West Indianapolis Development Corporation . Margaret Mead said “ Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world . In fact , it ’ s the only thing that ever has .” In fact , those groups are often led by committed church ladies . Life changers : church ladies .
The church ladies were present at Belmont-Blaine UMC when they let the youth group paint the basement stairs a bright , and I mean BRIGHT , yellow ; when they supported the youth as they organized a Saturday night childcare event for parents in this inner-city neighborhood who couldn ’ t afford a babysitter ; when they raised money each year to send kids to church camp . Church ladies : making a difference .
When my district superintendent told me I was being appointed to Dana / Bono UMC in rural Indiana , I thanked him for the offer but I thought it would be better if I stayed in Indianapolis . Mistake on my part . I loved my time at Dana / Bono ! The cows , the pigs , the farms were awesome ! But the best was the people and in particular the church ladies ! Lois Hess , Marg Parks , Rachel Milligan , Sue Randall , Clarabelle Adams , Betty Miller , Lynn Williams , Virginia Porter , Sandy Milligan , Cynthia Myers , Marilyn Fisher , Helena Bishop , Mary Catherine Overpeck ,
Cindy Phelps , Sue Marshall ; too many to name but the church ladies at Dana / Bono unknowingly go about doing the business of the church : rolling dough into noodles for a church supper ; pulling weeds around a town sign ; playing piano ; holding the hands of a troubled youth . Church ladies : spreading love as they spread napkins , cutlery and paper plates .
On to Bloomfield UMC where Sue Johnson and Rita Ritter and I became good friends . My final years as a pastor were spent at Youngstown UMC . Sixteen years of fun with the Boyll girls and their families . I loved them all ! Laughter , teasing and storytelling joined the generations of Boylls into a tightly knit group that welcomed everyone . The administrative board was led by Leah Bishoff who was THE BEST administrative board leader I ’ ve ever met . When combined with Jan Schakelford and Ruth Ann Toolose , a dynamic trio was created that could rival any on Wall Street . Joined by Kathleen Decker , Claudia Lane and Nancy Whitlock , the Youngstown church ladies were a mighty force for creating good things .
While writing this article , I began taking attendance by looking for the church ladies sitting in their normal pews . I miss them . I asked Shelly and Susan who their favorite woman was in the churches we ’ ve served . Shelly commented that the women in the church she now attends are a big influence on her present-day life . Thank you Cindi Alte and Laura Hessong for continuing the church lady tradition . I , also , see a continuation of this tradition in the church ladies I now encounter : those at Central Christian and the Sisters of Providence whom I ’ ve met through Tazie Prayer . It is clear the church ladies have , and are , continuing to make a difference . Thank you !
Linda Snider is a retired United Methodist minister . In addition to pastoring churches for 33 years , she served as a chaplain for Goodwill Industries and as a spiritual guide in a faith based program at the federal penitentiary in Terre Haute . She has two daughters , two grandsons and three dogs . Reach her at linesfromlinda @ yahoo . com .
10 Terre Haute Living • January / February 2022