by Gwen McMath
As I stood quietly in the back of the beautiful wood paneled room facing the bay, I thoughtfully watched the action of the women around me. Women were everywhere, doing what they like to do when they get in a group, chatting, taking and giving compliments, and greeting each other with smiles. Their unified presence was comforting to me, like pieces of a colorful quilt fitting together keeping out the cold and despair in a dark room. My thoughts began to drift back seven years to the first time I joined this group…
I had begun to wonder if I had made a mistake in retiring from teaching so soon after my daughter’s death. Free time gave room to projection in my thoughts about her car accident. I was seeing a counselor and had a loving husband and family but pain and sorrow were still my constant companions. Even though I had been a Christian and church member for many years, the road back from becoming cynical was a long one. I had read the paper that gray morning and had seen an advertisement for a new interdenominational Bible Study starting up. “Maybe that’s what I need,” I said to myself. When Wednesday of that week came, I was ready. I arrived at the get acquainted coffee not knowing anyone (we continue to have social events today as well with holiday get togethers and lunches once a month), but almost immediately I felt a connection to these beautiful Christian women, who were warm and welcoming. It was if they were actually helping me along with my journey without even knowing what I was going through. I began the Bible Study with Louella Wallace as my facilitator and she and the others in my group began to love me through my unending grief. I don’t think I ever said much during class because of my own pain, but I did listen and allow them to love and help me. They literally saved my life at that time. I began little by little to live again. I now know there is no substitute for Christian fellowship.
Hearing singing brings me back to the present. Many things have changed in seven years, especially with me. From being too depressed to say much of anything, I now facilitate a group. Two years ago, I began to write the curriculum for the study of Mark and this year of Romans. It was great therapy for me because it kept my mind on the eternal as my husband of forty-one years struggled with cancer, and died last December. This was another life-altering experience, but I had so much help and love from the members of Corpus Christi Bible Study when he died. They continue to help me through my grief. This is the way it is supposed to be in the body of Christ. When you feel like you can’t get up, others are there to help you. Then, when you are better you are ready to help others who can’t stand on their own. As it says in Galatians 6:2—“Carry each others burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Seven years ago the Lord began to lay on Lorraine Volk’s heart to start an interdenominational Bible Study in Corpus. She has always been soft-spoken and content to stay in the background but she stood up with a few more women to start the group and facilitate it. When asked what the study had done for her Lorraine replied, “It has been life changing for me to know of God’s love, his promises, his encouragement, and his instructions. Susan Lewis, another founder of the Bible Study feels she has grown spiritually from the Bible Study. “One primary benefit has been unity in the Body of Christ across denominational lines. The friendship, fellowship, and love that develop each year is remarkable. Many women say it is their first time to study the Bible and that they feel “safe” to learn and share in their groups. I really love the devotionals where women stand up and share their own faith journey with the group. Their stories encourage me, strengthen my faith, and give me hope,” Susan shared. Some of the other women in the Bible Study shared their thoughts. Martha Bonilla commented, “My faith has been restored and refreshed.” Fran, a new member stated, “The weekly fellowship with other Christian women brings true joy to my heart.” Barbara Morris complimented the study by saying, “Being in fellowship with these believers and being in God’s word nourishes my soul and strengthens my faith.”
As I begin to take my place to join the Bible Study, it is with a grateful heart. I look around and see women in all stages of life, young, old, needy, or self-assured, much like a elegant tapestry that calls attention to itself on the wall to all who pass by. The one thing we all have in common is that we are hungry for a more intimate relationship with Jesus Christ and his followers. We plan to do this as more women of different ages and backgrounds come to know and believe God through the study of his word and experience love and unity in Christian fellowship. Prayer and service projects will also be an added benefit of the Bible Studies. The women of the group would like to see themselves as individuals and groups that put the Word in action, pooling their gifts, talents and resources to spread the love of Jesus Christ in our community. If you find yourself identifying with this group of women, come and join us on Wednesday mornings at 9:30 until 11:30 in the Fellowship Hall. Come to be helped or to help, we have saved a place for you. God continues to work among us.1John 1:3—“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his son, Jesus Christ.”