Ford's Chapel United Methodist Church

Ford's Chapel was one of six Methodist societies created in 1808. The congregation has met on the same spot for over 200 years. In the late 1980s and most of the way through the 1990's Ford's Chapel was my church home. I was in middle school and high school, and just beginning to learn about who God is for myself. A friend, Angie, invited me to come to UMYF. I began attending worship because we needed to show the congregation there actually was a youth group. In September of 1992 there was a grease fire in our home. My Dad suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns over 70% of his body. Pop spent six weeks in the burn ward at UAB. My family didn't attend church at the time. It was just me. When it was time for prayer concerns that next Sunday a 13 year old boy stood up among so many older congregants to ask for prayers for his father. I don't know why I did it, but it happened. Call it a prompting of the Spirit. The outpouring of love and compassion from that congregation who really didn't know me from Adam's house cat made a huge impact on my life. I did my Eagle project for that church. My brother came to Christ in that church and my Mom reaffirmed her commitment to Jesus Christ in what they now call the old sanctuary. There are so many memories attached to that building. There were Christmas Eve candle light services, and the celebration of the church's 200th birthday. I can still remember hearing the bell in the bell tower when I pull up for church. However, Wednesday nights storms put an end to the bell ringing at Ford's Chapel United Methodist Church.

I no longer live in Alabama. I haven't for over ten years. Seeing these images is difficult. For me, Ford's Chapel was like the steps to the threshold of the Kingdom of God. However, I am trying to remember the Kingdom of God is not built with bricks and mortar. The Kingdom of God is more than pianos and pews. The Kingdom of God means more than crucifixes and communion kneelers. The Kingdom of God is placed in the hearts of believers. The Kingdom of God is made manifest when the Spirit of God bears witness to the spirit of believers that these are the children of God. The Kingdom of God comes alive when the storms of life rage, and the darkness - though it may tear down our church buildings - cannot tear down the hearts of the faithful. If Ford's Chapel has suffered at the hands of Wednesday nights storms how much more must the people in the community of Harvest, the city of Huntsville, the people in Madison County? All those who have been spared have a tremendous task ahead of them, but the task is not to rebuild with brick and mortar. The task ahead is to build up the faith of those who question in the face of adversity. Which is the greater storm? The twisters which tear down brick and mortar, or the doubt that fills so many hearts and minds in the wake of these storms? It is my prayer the Spirit would blaze in the hearts of those who call Ford's Chapel their church home. I hope Ford's Chapel will reach out to their community in the same love and Spirit of God they used to reach out to a scared thirteen year old boy.