Saints Haven's Beginning
By Susan Owings
In March 2009, my husband, Allen and I found ourselves in a situation that we never imagined could have happened. Due to continued controversy, there were a number of people with whom we had fellowshipped with at church for many years who were feeling that they could no longer attend the branch that had been our church home our entire lives. As a result of how some in the branch handled the controversy, Allen and I became part of that group.
I had not decided what I would do about finding a place to continue to worship. I think I, at some level, hoped to go back to our home branch or maybe I would try visiting some other branches, but Allen had been involved in too much of the battle and he was ready to leave the only church home we had ever known. He had no desire to visit other branches and was not going to attend anywhere.
We were both heart-broken and lost. One morning, Allen went down to the church baptismal fount to meditate. This was the same fount that both of us had been baptized in at 8 years of age and our four children and many of our grandchildren. While there in meditation, he was approached by Hannah Hancock who had a message for him to wait for a few minutes as her father, Dan Sherer, would be arriving there shortly. Dan arrived and they spoke for a few minutes. Then Dan said, "I hear you have a large room that might be available for a few of us to meet for services." Dan's family was also in turmoil over what to do. He remarked that there may only be three people in attendance, but he felt there was a need to meet. Allen quickly agreed that they could use our back porch, that had been converted into a garage, as a place to meet and told him that there would definitely be more than three in attendance. Of course, then he had to come home and break the news to me. I went from shock to panic mode since the room had been used as a "catch all" for many months and the old kitchen carpeting had been soaking up the melted snow from my vehicle all winter. Most of us ladies always have an attack of cleaning fever before we have company and this was to be for a church service!
I knew in my heart that this would be a good thing since those who were feeling lost and hurting might find some comfort and support by meeting together. So doing the best I could, I cleaned and Allen and Richard Adams got some chairs, and we had our first service. The carpet was smelly and there were saddles and such in the corner. The unfinished desk I was working on became the pulpit and communion table. There were over 20 people in attendance and we were truly blessed.
During the next few weeks, our services grew in numbers and in the Spirit. We began to receive a ministry that we didn't realize we had been missing. I think we had forgotten how exciting the gospel is and how it should be shared with those around us and Allen, I and many others were rediscovering the joy in worshipping together.
One of our members was given a scripture on her way to services one Sunday and suggested it by put on the wall. It spoke to those of us who had felt such burdens. Another of our talented members painted the scripture on the wall with a picture of Jesus. Allen and I were particular blessed by this scripture and he says that it will remain on the wall indefinitely. It says "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give thee rest".
All summer we met together, voting to form a new branch which has been named "Saints Haven" since it was a place of peace and healing to those who originally met. We began to fill the garage and then God directed us to where we are meeting today. Some have asked if we were glad to have our garage back, but I tell them we felt somewhat like you do when your children are ready to leave home. You know it is time for them to move on, but you are still sad to see them go. It will be a time we will never forget and are thankful to our Heavenly Father that we played a small part in his work.
I had not decided what I would do about finding a place to continue to worship. I think I, at some level, hoped to go back to our home branch or maybe I would try visiting some other branches, but Allen had been involved in too much of the battle and he was ready to leave the only church home we had ever known. He had no desire to visit other branches and was not going to attend anywhere.
We were both heart-broken and lost. One morning, Allen went down to the church baptismal fount to meditate. This was the same fount that both of us had been baptized in at 8 years of age and our four children and many of our grandchildren. While there in meditation, he was approached by Hannah Hancock who had a message for him to wait for a few minutes as her father, Dan Sherer, would be arriving there shortly. Dan arrived and they spoke for a few minutes. Then Dan said, "I hear you have a large room that might be available for a few of us to meet for services." Dan's family was also in turmoil over what to do. He remarked that there may only be three people in attendance, but he felt there was a need to meet. Allen quickly agreed that they could use our back porch, that had been converted into a garage, as a place to meet and told him that there would definitely be more than three in attendance. Of course, then he had to come home and break the news to me. I went from shock to panic mode since the room had been used as a "catch all" for many months and the old kitchen carpeting had been soaking up the melted snow from my vehicle all winter. Most of us ladies always have an attack of cleaning fever before we have company and this was to be for a church service!
I knew in my heart that this would be a good thing since those who were feeling lost and hurting might find some comfort and support by meeting together. So doing the best I could, I cleaned and Allen and Richard Adams got some chairs, and we had our first service. The carpet was smelly and there were saddles and such in the corner. The unfinished desk I was working on became the pulpit and communion table. There were over 20 people in attendance and we were truly blessed.
During the next few weeks, our services grew in numbers and in the Spirit. We began to receive a ministry that we didn't realize we had been missing. I think we had forgotten how exciting the gospel is and how it should be shared with those around us and Allen, I and many others were rediscovering the joy in worshipping together.
One of our members was given a scripture on her way to services one Sunday and suggested it by put on the wall. It spoke to those of us who had felt such burdens. Another of our talented members painted the scripture on the wall with a picture of Jesus. Allen and I were particular blessed by this scripture and he says that it will remain on the wall indefinitely. It says "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give thee rest".
All summer we met together, voting to form a new branch which has been named "Saints Haven" since it was a place of peace and healing to those who originally met. We began to fill the garage and then God directed us to where we are meeting today. Some have asked if we were glad to have our garage back, but I tell them we felt somewhat like you do when your children are ready to leave home. You know it is time for them to move on, but you are still sad to see them go. It will be a time we will never forget and are thankful to our Heavenly Father that we played a small part in his work.