I’d like to share pieces of the life of Pastor O. A. Gayley (known as Dad Gayley) with you. As he grew up in Hamilton, Illinois, he became frail and the doctor suggested a higher, drier climate. At 18, he climbed down from the train at Kit Carson, Colorado. He took up being a cowboy from Colorado to Wyoming, holding tight to his Christian faith that he learned from his mother to become a Pastor in the EUB Church at Leroy, Colorado, east of Sterling.

I grew up in the Evangelical United Brethren church in the northeastern corner of Colorado as a preacher’s kid. In 1968 when my dad, Reverend Raymond Scott, was Pastor of the church in Johnstown, it became the first United Methodist Church this side of the Mississippi joining the Methodists and EUB Church. After high school for the next 40 years, despite growing up a preacher’s son, knowing right from wrong, I chose my path and God allowed my education and learning of life without God first to leave a great impression on me. Fast forward to 2013. God led me back. God leads us back to where we need to be. Dad Gayley’s faith led him to be where he needed to be as a good and wonderful pastor. God has led me back to be a part of the Heart of Longmont to learn, grow, and to be a better disciple of Christ.

The first Sunday I attended here, I sat on the right side, 5th pew back, 3rd seat in. Little did I know at the time God’s humor and plan. That pew happened to have been used by the Hand, Noble, Ward, and Malchow Families for many years prior to my arrival. Today I remain firmly rooted in that family pew. And as many as will fit may join us there.

As I watched, joining in the church and its missions, I saw and remain amazed at the giving/supportive/heartfelt disciples that make up the Heart of Longmont. During my first years you fed the homeless, sheltering them at times, financially supported the church’s missions sending youth on trips to help disaster relief here and now abroad, helped build habitat houses and so much more.

I’m the one blessed to be here at the Heart of Longmont learning from you God’s Great Disciples and Pastor David Burt of course!!!

This is why Heart Of Longmont matters to me.

You the Parishioners and Guests of this church make the Heart of Longmont the giving, everyone is accepted and loved example of God’s Disciples at work. You are awesome, Good and Faithful Servants. Thank you.

This church has been in my life for 56 years.

My parents were very active in the church. I could spend an hour telling you the influence they had on this church and in the Methodist church district and nationally. I grew up answering our home phone to someone saying this is Bishop so-and-so or district superintendent. Or someone would walk into my parents’ house with a crying baby and my mom would hold out her arms for the baby while continuing her talk with a couple of bishops in her living room. Perhaps I’ll write an article on her as many of you haven’t the foggiest idea who she was!

I was involved as a youth in MYF and Jean Malchow is still a friend from that time. At home we never talked religion but my parents lived it. I always had unconditional love and no judgement.

As I went on the crazy path of life, there were large chunks of time that I didn’t get involved in the church. But I still knew God was by my side and the church had open arms for me. My parents impressed upon me that God was always with me and had a path for me if I let him in. I kind of took this church for granted. I knew I could always walk in and be welcomed.

As I got older, I got involved through the back door helping my mom in the kitchen as she was the main person who oversaw large meals. I remember one time when she called me almost in a panic—and my mom didn’t panic—because her sauce was not thickening like it should and it was almost time to serve 150 people. I ran with a box of mashed potato flakes and the sauce was delicious!

I believed that people were nice to me because I was Paula Johnston’s daughter. How wrong I was!! It took me a while to understand they didn’t care that I owned a bar, had been divorced three times, been in an abusive relationship, and had three kids. They surrounded me with support and love and accepted me for me. I eventually had conversations that revealed I was doing as much of God’s work in my bar by giving each person respect and trying to make them a little happier! And I blessed each and every patron as they left.

A year ago, an old patron of mine saw me at Abo’s and he said: “I looked at your roof on your house and you need a new one and I’m doing it for you. You cared about me at the bar and now it’s my turn to take care of you!” God works in your life and knew I was good with showing people that they were worthy of being respected and loved for who they were.

Another fond memory was when my daughter was in third grade and realized her mom had forgotten to get her baptized. Her Sunday School teacher told me and she and the entire class were in church the next week when she was baptized. The church family surrounded her—and her mom!—with hugs.

Eventually I became more involved within this church as nursery coordinator, Sunday School teacher, a member of many committees, and cooking for large groups. All my life I knew that this community of Christians were here for me and God was kicking my butt to get busy with his plan. I try to show love to every person I meet by showing respect and showing no judgement.

Love has been shown even more in the last seven years since I was diagnosed with metastasis cancer. All the love and caring shown to me keeps me strong and optimistic.

I didn’t find this church, but it sure found my soul and feeds me daily. This church is the foundation of my life and I thank God daily for the chance to try and live for him.

I grew up in a traditional Roman Catholic Church. Mass was spoken in Latin and women and girls had to have long dresses and head coverings. My parents appreciated critical thinking, so though my religious upbringing was strict at church, at home I was allowed to ask questions.

After being homeschooled through third grade, I went to Longmont Christian School from fourth to tenth grade. At church, we spoke Latin, at school we spoke in tongues! I definitely was exposed to a wide range of religious expression!!

To make a long story shorter, HoL provides a space of worship somewhere in the middle.

I babysat for Dawn Desai since her now college-aged son was two! Over the years, she always invited me to her church and to apply to be the youth director. Five years ago, I was working nights as a waitress and days at Colorado State University. And I was tired. I kept praying for a new opportunity. One day, I had so much peace about turning in my notice at TR, even though I didn’t know how I’d make it. The same night I turned in my notice, Dawn emailed me the Youth Director position. I applied and here I am.

God prepared a place for me here and opened the door I prayed for. I stay because I believe in this church. I belong, I am welcomed, I am supported, and I love my youth more than anyone can ever know.