Getting to Know You

  

   A congregation is made up of individuals so today I thought I'd introduce you to Janet Smith, one of our newly elected elders.  Janet's is a well-known face around SPPC, she's been a member since 1999, sings in the choir, performs in the Christmas play, was on the Board of Managers for 7 years and is a faithful participant in Bible Study and the Prayer Group.  She is married to Peter, has six children and, before her retirement, fostered 59 children.  I interviewed her over coffee last week.

Q.  How do you see SPPC in our community?
A.  I see it as open and available to outside groups like Elections Canada, Probus and the Dean Park Resident's Association.  I wish it were more visible.  I'm often asked "where is your church?"  I also think we as a congregation could be more visible in the life of our community.

Q.  What made you choose SPPC as your church home?
A.  I like the traditional service, the music, the organ, the hymns.  Do you think I'm a traditionalist? <g>

Q. Desicribe a highlight in your church life.
A.  I think the day I became an indepentent member of the Congregational Church in England was a highlight.  It marked a major life passage.  I had made my own choice, not just come along because my mother did.  I remember the lady beside me was 90.  The communion hymn we sang, "Here O My Lord, I see Thee Face to Face," has remained special for me to this day.  I took my first communion that Sunday. 

Q.  What do you see as the role of the world-wide church in today's world?
A.  I believe that the church needs to be a witness in the community.  We, as Christians, need to be visible and to remember that we are called to speak out on moral questions.  As Christ said, we may be like a tiny measure of yeast, yet that yeast can leaven the whole loaf. (Lk 13:21)

Q.  Tell us something odd or funny that has happened to you in church.
A.   I was telling a object lesson  to children using water, a saucer and a dime, (I can't remember what it was about now) but all went well and at the end I said "you see, I didn't wet myself at all." "Good," came a voice from an adult in the group at which everyone burst out laughing. 
On another occasion I was singing a solo, "Let us break bread together on our knees" and I sang, "When I fall on my face with my knees to the rising sun" I realized it as soon as I sang it but no one blinked an eyelid so I guess no one was listening any way and so I just carried on to the end!

Thanks Janet, for sharing your time and your thoughts.