Vision Series

Relationships

Good Morning, my name is Angela Van Pelt and I have been given the opportunity to share with you the relationships that have been built within the Woman's ChristCare group here at Gloria Dei. I can remember the day I signed up for the woman's ChristCare group like it was yesterday. Filled with excitement to be able to join a group of women in which to study God's word and grow in my faith, there was also a feeling of anxiety too. My husband, Andy, and I joined the church shortly before the beginning of the ChristCare groups and prior to the introduction of the groups my desire was to get involved with a Bible Study group. However, being a shy person did not make it easy for me to go up and ask someone about how to get involved with a bible study. In addition, being afraid to ask also played a large role in getting involved. Since everything is new to me being scared of judgment by others for not knowing and becoming a member of such a large congregation was quite overwhelming.

My parents divorced when I was in the fourth grade; therefore, we did not continue to attend church or Sunday school after their divorce. Because of not having the opportunity to attend church there is a lot to still be learned and moments; such as, Confirmation that have been lost. Becoming a member of the Lutheran Church about three years ago, has been life changing. Sometimes it is difficult to know who to ask much less what to ask when one wants to grow in their faith with the Lord.

So, when the sign-up sheets were put out for the ChristCare groups you can only imagine how eager one such as myself was to sign up. However, being a member of a congregation who has more members than the city for which I was raised, the chances of becoming part of a group was slim and signing up on time became a top priority. Through my excitement I signed up for two groups; the woman's group and the couples group. Although Andy was excited for me, he was unaware that the second group was a couples group, but he was willing to try something new. However, through my enthusiasm of signing up after a few days went by and the adrenaline began to wear off realization of what I had done came into play. Thinking to myself, “What were you thinking?” I began getting very nervous, because everything was new to me….sharing my faith with others, studying God's word, and building relationships with other Christians. I chickened out of the couples group and told myself to give the Woman's group a try and attend a few meetings. For me the women's group was easier to gain courage to attend and to this day I am grateful for my decision.

The women in the group are caring and focused on understanding God's word and helping others understand that word. There is not one person who has all the answers, but twelve heads are better then one; therefore, we learn from one another. It is comforting to meet with friends to share your thoughts and feelings, whether it is a thought of confusion or a feeling of regret. There is no shame to bring up questions from stories within the bible or everyday life situations. Being judged because of a misread name, word(s) in the bible or reading the wrong passage out of the bible altogether, which I have done, is no longer a threat. The group is comforting and supportive and our relationship over the past year has grown into strong friendships. The foundation of these friendships is our coming together to worship God, and because He is our foundation the relationship built between my sisters of Christ and me are life-long.

In addition, the relationships built within the group have given us each an opportunity to build relationships outside of our group. Whether it may be through meeting husbands or other congregation members through the ChristCare group. I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to meet other members of the congregation. It is encouraging to walk into Church and see a familiar face who also acknowledges your husband and yourself. Our group has also helped an African refugee family for the past year as our mission. Not only has the group helped the family, but when we asked for the congregations help you were there. Relationships have been built from your help because some of the family members have come to our services and one of the young ladies even met some of our youth during Sunday school. Through this mission relationships within our group, church and outside our church have begun. God works in many ways and many times we might not know how He has touched our lives with our relationships with others until we look back upon those relationships.

Although, I am still the shy person who became a member of this congregation in September of 2002, my faith has grown beyond measure because of the wonderful women within the ChristCare group. My dream has always been to move down south where it is warm and there is no snow, but ask me today if that is still my dream and my answer would be no. This church and its members for which my husband and I have built relationships are more rewarding and far exceed what the south could ever offer. God brought our group together and each of us in our own unique way has touched one another differently. For me it was building Christian relationships and having friends who whole heartedly care for me unconditionally and accept me for me. They have been there for me when I have laughed, have been scared or have cried. I have been blessed with their friendship and pray that each of you find relationships as special as those within the Women's ChristCare group.