Susan, Amanda, and Addison’s enchanted bell tower visit

“Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise.”
–Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (NRSV)

The Bible encourages us to teach our faith to the generations that come after us. Yesterday I had an experience that reminded me just how beautiful it is when that happens. On Tuesday afternoon Susan Mayer Bartlett visited our church with her daughter-in-law Amanda and granddaughter Addison. They were reconnecting with Susan’s roots by touring town, visiting the farm, and looking around our building. While they were here Susan shared stories about growing up in our congregation and looked through some of our centennial photo albums.

What made the tour especially significant for Addison was the fact that she and Susan were test readers for Brad Barton’s new novel, The Enchanted Bell Tower, which is partially set in our building. Brad is the husband of another daughter of our congregation, Susan Barton. Susan and Brad are Disciples clergy who both served in Colorado for many years. Brad’s book features two children who discover an enchanted Bible that brings the biblical stories to life in new ways. Addison loved the book and said she wanted to know what happened next. Fortunately, Brad is intending to make his book a series and hopes to include even more biblical stories in the future.

Addison and I explored the bell tower while Susan climbed the ladder to look around. They poked their heads in every room of building. The climax came when Addison got a chance to ring the bell while Amanda got a video of the whole thing. Not only did I get to see the excitement on Addison’s face as she learned more about her grandma, it was fun to see Brad’s book coming alive to her in new ways.

Thank you for sharing the love of Christ with the world in ways that you may not have even expected. Alumni of our church like Susan and Susan have expressed the joy they felt in our midst to the people they love. Addison got experience that firsthand while Brad’s novel will allow countless more kids to learn more about the Bible with our building serving as a backdrop. It is a blessing to see what God is doing in this place and the way that your faithfulness is impacting others each and every day.