100 Churches: Sacred Spaces

100 Churches The Holy Spirit and I started this journey of churches realizing that my own St. Luke’s Episcopal Church has so much love for Christ and shared talents of parishioners speak throughout our parish with songs they have sung for Jesus, needlepoints, woodworking, artistry, even my mother has embroidered beautiful pieces in which others would never know that is done for the love of the Savior. I bet you know of people long passed, or who no longer attend, or longtime lifetime parishioners who have contributed in the loving and sharing of a parish you attend. Some would say as I made visitations and photographed that their church was not about the building, and this would be absolutely 100% true! There have been times that the outside of the church with Stations of the Cross, Gardens, Interactive Walks, Nature Preserves, and Labyrinths have brought so much peace to my journeys. These are such areas that God the creator is in nature and has brought me so much contemplation and heartfelt prayer. Those days you see the animal life, hear the birds and natural environment and meet people along the pathways are just as treasured as inside the buildings…especially during the Covid 19 challenges of our present lives. In this journey I have met Christ through meeting the people of many ethnicities who love him. I have been an observer in all the types of worship that varies in churches…weddings, funerals, bereavement, baptisms, joyous occasions, working occasions. Some might say I interrupted peoples’ lives that enter and exit. I am enthralled in what beauty I’ve seen with God’s people and the servitude attitudes that have been the greatest parts of this journey. Having forged to leave the familiar and seek my lost self through these new faces and places…at all times being the beggar, each time begging them to allow me an unknown child of God in their midst. Many times, the doors were locked but they allowed me in. Sometimes I was met with fear of letting an intruder in. Sometimes the doors remained locked as no one was inside…but every time allowed in it was such beauty of heart that showed me in or prayed alongside me. And so, I share with you “100 churches” and if Lord willing, I shall continue with yet another 100 to enjoy the blessings of meeting the Lord’s people as they live out their daily lives following him. Christine Towery Wilson