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Thursday, December 16 2021
 By Amy Bruner In first line of the Close to Home devotion, December 14, Rev. T. Denise Anderson reflects, “As I meditated on the theme, Close to Home, I decided that what makes a place “home” for me is people.” I immediately agreed. Cedar Rapids, Iowa is our home because of our family, friends and our faith community. My husband and I both grew up in Des Moines. My church home in Des Moines was downtown First Methodist. I have wonderful memories of the yearly Christmas Pageant with music and candles; Choirs singing from the balcony. When we were first married, Scott was in the Navy. We lived in New York, New Hampshire and Connecticut. After his discharge, we returned “home” to Ames for Scott to complete his degree at Iowa State. His first job out of college was in New Mexico. While in Albuquerque, we thoroughly enjoyed the warmer climate and exploring the nearby the mountains. Many of our friends were from our church, St Paul’s in Albuquerque. But after 5 years, we yearned for Iowa and home. We wanted our kids to be near their grandparents, cousins and attend Iowa schools. When we were able to return to Iowa in 1991, I told Scott, “We are not moving ever again.” When I began visiting churches in Cedar Rapids, I immediately felt “home” at St. Paul’s. It reminded me of First Methodist in Des Moines. Worship services were inspiring. St. Paul’s youth program was thriving and the music program was dynamic. I feel so blessed to have raised my kids within the St. Paul’s community. In the devotion from Monday, December 6, the author references a song by Rend Collective from the 2019 Presbyterian Youth Triennium, “My Lighthouse” containing the following lyrics: In the silence, You won't let go My lighthouse, my lighthouse I would add to the lyrics, “Lord, bring us safe to shore and bring us home.” The devotion ends, “May we cast this vision of Kin-dom and bless others with words and acts of love, hope and mercy. May these words and acts strengthen our collective spirits and guide us all into the way of peace – guide us all home.“ Amy Bruner is a lay member of St. Paul's. She is co-chair of the Be Healthy Be Green Committee and participates in Sanctuary choir...when not visiting her grandchildren. She worked in early childhood education for 25 years before retiring. Amy and her husband are lifetime musical theatre nerds and have shared their passion with their three grown children. |
