Rea founded The People’s Church in our rural town and for many years (about 50) was the treasurer. I would always attend services with her when I visited home. She dressed up for church and had a wide brimmed white straw hat for summer.
She had a throaty voice and she would speak out to the pulpit or congregation, as she felt appropriate.
She always delighted in a visiting pastor and a new sermon.
On this Sunday in July of 1991, at her age of 91 the visiting pastor asked the choir not to sing and hoped the babies would not cry as we all listened for the voice of the Lord to come into our hearts.
As we sat in the silence of the sanctuary a minute passed, and she became petulant due to her hearing aid not functioning and wondering what was going on about her.
Rea turned to me and leaned over to my right ear and said in a church hearable voice,
“Well Butch, what are we listening for?”
I attempted to whisper back that,
“We are listening for the voice of the Lord to come into our hearts.”
Upon this response, Rea lifted the brim of her summer hat and looked up to the pastor at the pulpit with his bowed head and loudly announced,
“I can stay home and do that!”
Immediately the laughter flowed, the organ played, the choir sang, and some babies joined the chorus.
As we filed out of the church and the pastor waited to shake hands he greeted Rea with a presence and said,
“Yes, I can also stay home and do that.”
Entry – July 28, 2007
