by Leslie Rebecca Clemens as shared to Ella Reff

I have been steeped in the life of the Methodist Church as long as I can remember—even before I can remember, as my father, Rev. Benjamin Loan, was a Methodist minister. In fact, I was baptized, as a baby at a Quarterly Conference by the District Superintendent in Grand Rapids, Ohio. My parents said I waved to all in attendance!

From there we moved to Port Jefferson, Ohio. There, some little children playing with matches set our church on fire. The little boys did manage to escape. I vividly remember seeing the flames shooting through the church roof, even though I was only two. That started my father's building fund appointments.

My volunteer work started in Bethel, Ohio, at three. My mother had the church nursery at our house. She took care of the babies, while I entertained the toddlers. I also remember enjoying visiting missionaries speak about their experiences in foreign countries.

At seven we moved to Saint Paris, Ohio. I think my best childhood memories of church come from there. I remember Halloween parties, Christmas programs, and Easter Sunday Services where the church would be so full that they opened the doors to the fellowship hall to accommodate everyone. 

At eleven, we moved to Ottawa, Ohio. I was in Methodist Youth Fellowship (MYF), youth choir, and it was from here that I first attended our junior high church camp—all the way up north of Adrian, Michigan. The MYF always helped with the Sunrise Service on Easter morning, and it was here that I joined the church officially on Palm Sunday (grade 7). As I got to high school, I joined the adult choir, and volunteered every year at Bible School. I also attended the girls School of Missions program at Ohio Wesleyan University, where we learned about our missionary programs in India and Mexico.

The high school church camp met at Lakeside, Ohio, a village run by the Methodist Conference on the Lake Erie shore. That is where I received my first kiss from a boy. I also loved going there with my parents to Annual Conference every year. We PKs (preachers' kids) had the run of the town and were perfectly safe. That had been a week's vacation destination for me all through my youth and into young adulthood. There PKs could be themselves. I even had a summer job there in college.

At eighteen, we moved to Xenia, Ohio. Most of the year, I was attending Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio (a Methodist College), majoring in art education. While there, I joined Kappa Phi, a Christian Women's service sorority that met at the Methodist Church, and also went to their national convention in Morgantown, WV. I participated in MYF at Xenia through college during my break time, and that is where I met Bob. I also was a church camp counselor every summer. 

When I moved away from that church at 22, I still did things with those Xenia friends, as at Springfield, Ohio, we weren't very far away. We had a square dance caller in this church, David Howell, and when I heard he was offering lessons, I invited Bob up to be my partner. That is how we began dating. I also went back to the local college, Wittenberg University (a Lutheran college) to get a second major—elementary education.

Bob and I were married by my father and another minister, a Rev. Robert Meredith, a long time family friend. A group of church members with decorating talents catered our reception, as I was a volunteer of that group. Even our wedding cake was made by a church member whose hobby was cake decorating.

After Bob and I were married, my parents got assigned to a church in Newark, Ohio. We stayed in the Dayton area. I always said that we got married and my parents moved away. We actually helped out at the Newark Bicentennial Celebration at my father's church. We had a table demonstrating colonial candle making and were dressed in costumes of the period. 

We lived in Dayton, Spring Valley, and eventually back in Xenia before becoming Hoosiers, and joining Yorktown Methodist Church. I am also a Past Matron of Eastern Star, a Christian Lodge affiliated with the Free Masons of which Bob was a member. I am very much involved in volunteering at Mounds State Park as an Indiana Master Naturalist (trained volunteer), usually spending over 100 hours a year. 

When David was born, he was baptized by water that our minister had brought back from the Jordan River. It was special to have him baptized in the same water as Jesus. 

Of course, I have often helped with crafts in various Bible Schools—two years for Kids-in-the-Meadow. At Yorktown, I was a member of the Nurture Committee. We made small handmade gifts for our shut-ins. Emily Sears was my partner in this endeavor. I also instituted Cans for Kids, though now that we have no little children, it has become Cans for Covenant Partners. Of course, I am very much enjoying singing in the YMC choir.

I am happy to be part of this church family, as my life has revolved around fellowship with the Lord through mostly the Methodist Church. There was no special time that I felt Christ come into my life. He has always been there. I think I feel closest to God through music and nature. The right hymns will send my soul soaring to the heavens. I especially like hymns that are classical, Spirituals, or Celtic tunes, like Be Still, My Soul; Above the Hills of Time; Balm in Gilead; This Is My Song; Holy, Holy, Holy, and Once to Every Man and Nation.

Other than through music, I tend to feel closest to God when I am in a quiet place surrounded by nature. I get this warm feeling of joy and awe when viewing a flower, a sunset, a mountain, or all three together in one scene. 

A particular Biblical passage that speaks to me is Matthew 5:15-16: "Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

Let your light shine for the glory of God!