Introducing LindaMay Watkins
On the First Sunday of Advent, LindaMay Watkins officially began working with Christ Church as her fieldwork placement. Although I introduced her several times during worship, in the busyness of the holidays I realize that I did not do so in any formal way. I apologize to LindaMay and to you. Let me make amends by telling you a bit about her.
LindaMay is in the second of a three-year program to become a deacon. The deacon training students meet online for class on Thursday evenings. They also gather at Procter Conference Center for one weekend a month.
For her fieldwork she will be worshipping with us on Sundays, participating as a layperson (Eucharistic Minister and Lector), preaching twice this winter and spring, and working occasionally with our outreach ministries, particularly CityHeart. Although it is assumed that she will be with us during the next academic year as well, the present arrangement with the Diocese of Southern Ohio is through early June, 2014.
LindaMay lives in Hamilton, Ohio, where she earns her living by helping to manage several properties. She was formerly married and has five adult children and several grandchildren who all live in the greater Cincinnati area.
LindaMay’s religious background is Pentecostal. Her faith is deep and lively. She has some things to teach us about evangelism and discipleship.
Her home parish is The Church of Our Savior, Cincinnati, where Mother Paula Jackson is rector. Paula and I have been active together in the national clergy group “The Church in Metropolitan Areas” with a focus on urban ministry. At Our Savior LindaMay was active in “street church” and in community life. Ask her about “street Church”.
If you haven’t already, please introduce yourself to LindaMay and give her a warm Christ Church welcome.
–The Rev. John Paddock
Christ Church Blog 
Thank you Father John, what a joy it is being at Christ Church Dayton I remember the first time I drove up to Dayton, and seen the outside of the church, and then when I went into the sanctuary oh my God, it took my breath away what beauty what a joy I said to myself to be able to worship in a place like this. I remember walking around looking at everything and saying within my spirit, thank you Father, thank you for opening up the doors for me to be here. I will like to share a little bit about myself, once I got done walking around seeing all the beauty and all the love that you have to offer to whomsoever walks through those Church doors I begin to get afraid, I ask my Heavenly Father? Father what are you doing to me you know I can’t go here, and then He spoke and said ( why not) I have opened the door for you to walk through walk through it. So I obeyed Him and I am here, being afraid is not a good place to be in especially when you’re standing up front. At the age of 30 I begin a journey in my life that has opened up so many doors that I would have never imagined. At the age of 30 I could not read or write it took me 15 years starting with first grade and working my way up to where I am today at the age of 45 the first time in my life I was able to walk into a Hallmark store walk over to the card aisle pick up a card and began to read if I can remember right I was there at least three hours with tears running down my face the first time in my life being able to pick out a card and know what it says I still struggle from time to time mispronouncing words or maybe not even knowing what the word says. With tears in my eyes I’m trying to write this not because I’m ashamed but it’s because were God has brought me from to where I am today. So my Heavenly Father, open your doors for me, I know he has prepared your hearts to receive me.
God loves you and so do I
FHS LindaMay
LindaMay,
Thank you so much for having the courage to share this story with us, what a gift. I pray the Holy Spirit continues to move in your life and look forward to getting to know you better as we serve together at CityHeart.
Peace be with you,
Kris
I know I have said a lot, so let me say just a little bit more In my wilderness experience , and it has been a wilderness experience.as I contemplate my Own wilderness experience and the great leaders of the Bible I come to realize that the wilderness is Gods way of preparing us to do His will, to be used by Him. Without the preparation we cannot have a true understanding of who we are and who our Savior is. it is In that wilderness experience that our hearts are purified . its in the wilderness that we see God tender mercy caring for us day by day providing just enough manna to get through the day. It’s in that wilderness experience that we Find The Great I am and the one who meets our every need at just the right moment. Its in the wilderness that our Faith is grown. In all that I am trying to say is this I live by faith I take the word of God and I believe it because I have lived it I seen it come to pass.having the opportunity to be on mission t field have seen the blinded eyes open, I have seen The lame walk. you can’t take that away I am the type of person that will take that little mustard seed and believe, if I say to that mountain be cast into the sea it shall be done. FHS. LindaMay
LindaMay, thank you for sharing this very personal and powerful message. I am so glad God brought you to our congregation! Greg Sexton