This first post is just to give you a little background on who I am, where I am in my faith journey, and why I am choosing to do what I am doing. My name is Jessica Reese. I am 38 years old. I am married and have four children, two cats, and a dog. I work as a Special Education Teacher in the Pennridge School District in Bucks County Pennsylvania.
As a child, my family had an on again, off again relationship with the Christain church. We would go to worship on Sunday mornings for long periods of time, stop going for longer periods of time, then go again. Periodically, I attended Sunday School and sang in the Children's Choir. I would often participate in Youth Group activities including my favorite "Habitat for Humanity". Two summers in a row, we traveled to South Carolina and built houses with this organization. It was an incredible opportunity to go back the second year and meet the families that were residing in the houses we had helped build the year before. This was my first experience with selfless service to others.
Despite my on again, off again relationship with the church, I was a spiritual personal with a faith based in Christianity. We attended a Brethren Church and I knew all the Old Testament stories, the story of Jesus birth, and the Crucifixion. I knew a few New Testament stories but had no real in depth study of any of the scriptures. I would often read my Bible on my own, struggling for some meaning behind the stories. I would pray. I would hold conversations with God. I had the beginnings of faith that would carry me through some rough times as an adult. I started reading spiritual texts and practiced mediation in my early twenties. I had no church home at this time. A good friend of mine took my son to Vacation Bible School one summer at St. Andrews UCC in Perkaise, Pa. Of course, I attended the closing program and thought the church was nice. My son attended VBS the following summer and once again, I attended the closing program. I remember being impressed that the Pastor remembered my name. However, it did not feel like home.
A couple of years later I decided to look for a church home. I had a strong desire to attend worship regularly, as I recognized the need for community and I enjoy worship. I had been through a lot at this point in my life and knew I had gotten though all of this stuff with the help of God. After visiting many places of worship, I returned to St. Andrews, which felt like home this time and there I have worshiped for the past 10 years. I have participated in many aspects of church life and worship at St. Andrews. I have volunteered for VBS, taught Sunday School, volunteered in the Nursery and Children's Church, served as the Christian Education Directer for 5 years, served on Consistory (even was president for a short time), served as an usher, and as a liturgist. I am sure I am forgetting some other things such as worship planning, Dinner Theater, White Gift Service, and Women's Services as well as Women's Retreats. I must also remember mentoring four young people on their Confirmation Journey and attending two Confirmation Retreats as well as Youth Group Retreats. As if that isn't enough, I preached six sermons. While this is all wonderful stuff and I loved every minute of it, all this business has taken me away from my core, my true self, the essence of my faith and beliefs. I have come to a point where I need to step back and reconstruct my own faith.
A few years back, I took a World Religion class. I became hooked on the Islam Faith. Shortly after that, I became enthralled with Hinduism and Buddhism. Each of these three beautiful religions have contributed to what I believe today and where my faith is taking me on this journey through life.
This is where I am today so I have decided to spend the next three (or more...) months worshiping in different places in order to expand my faith journey. Have no fear my St. Andrews friends, I will be back sometime in the fall. I have started this blog to include you on my journey, if you wish to accompany me. I plan on posting at least once a week, after each worship experience. I encourage and welcome dialogue as I make this journey. I ask that all comments be positive as this experience is personal. I am allowing you in on my journey so please be respectful of my decision to do so and refrain from any negativity in your comments. The Peace of our Savior Jesus be with you all!
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