Urbana Foursquare Church

May 14, 2023. Mother’s Day

Another stereotype blown apart. I was prepared for a rocking Pentecostal experience upon entering Living Hope Foursquare Church, but it was quite calm. The door opens to several hallways and I hesitated, wondering which to take, but soon someone appeared and led the way. A couple of friendly women near the back welcomed me as I took a seat near them. Six narrow, stained-glass windows and a flag I could not identify were high on the left-hand wall; an American flag hung on the right. Up front a man took the mic to remind us that the pastor was away today. Then a young African woman led in traditional hymns, beginning with Faith of Our Mothers. God Will Take Care of You, Standing on the Promises, and On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand followed. Oddly to me, we didn’t stand for any of these songs. Our pianist struggled a bit, but I very much enjoyed the classic hymns.

Our speaker for the day was a lively, snowy-haired woman named Shirley. From the pulpit she told us that the church of her youth always chose a Queen Mother on Mother’s Day. The young women wore formal dresses for the coronation. It was on such a day that Shirley and her husband--now sitting on the front row--had gotten together. She called our song leader to the stage and put a golden paper crown on her head. Next, the ten kids in the room, about a third of those present, came up to pass out wrapped gifts to all the mothers. Another guest and I were asked to call out our names, and we too received one of the packages. The kids then left the service with their teacher.

There’s more to being a mom than bearing a child, Shirley said. Her message was all about mothering. After warning us to be careful not to wish our children grown up too soon, she read a touching piece called No More Oatmeal Kisses. “One of these days, you’ll shout, ‘Why don’t you kids grow up and act your age!’ And they will.”

We must model for our kids, provide for them, control them. A mom who says she “can’t do a thing with” her unruly child is not a fit mom, according to Shirley. Nurture them, love them, but do not spoil them. She relayed the recent news story of a Michigan middle schooler who, being the only one on the school bus whose parents hadn’t gotten him a cell phone, was the one with enough situational awareness to notice the driver pass out. The phoneless kid jumped into action and steered the vehicle to safety. Yes, really.

Kids should be in awe of their mothers, said Shirley. Then she asked, “Do people see your faith in your children?” Our pastor of the day concluded her thoughts and with no further ado simply dismissed us. 

PS Are you curious about what was in the package? Here it is.