The Search

When Wanda Williams moved to Springfield on Memorial Day of 1974, she had no idea what the future held for her. She knew she had a new job and had to find a place to stay.  Moreover, Wanda had been a church goer all her life. “I had to find a church home where I felt accepted and comfortable.” 

To begin with Wanda felt she needed a place to settle. She really could not imagine making any kind of home here in Springfield since to her it seemed such a hostile place to live.  “I did not even know if I could remain in this town.”

After finding an apartment and settling in her new job at the State of Illinois, she began to visit various churches in the city. One of these churches happened to be Lutheran and she visited there on Pentecost Sunday, the anniversary of her confirmation. “To me Pentecost Sunday means that people of all races and nations come together to worship and rejoice in the miracle of Easter. On that Sunday all peoples are embraced in the arms of the Lord.”  Feeling unaccepted and unwelcome that day, it was another year before Wanda returned to this church on Pentecost Sunday. Again, she felt unwanted. With a great deal of anguish, she wrote to her home church in Chicago. Her Pastor in Chicago recommended Grace Lutheran Church at the corner of 7^th and Capitol.

Wanda began to attend an early service which was not hugely attended. She would sit where there was an empty pew and worship while not interacting with others. At that point Pastor Flesner called, asking to come to her apartment for a visit. He was warm, welcoming and had a very inclusive attitude. Eventually, Wanda began to attend new member classes and somehow started to feel a bit more welcome and relaxed in this new church atmosphere. She was learning to trust a few members like Norma Browning and Gene Rubley who reached out to her and somehow the process of finding a new church home began to be a reality. 

Gradually Wanda began to make a few friends and joined the choir. She began to attend church Wednesday night dinners and helped others when she could. She joined Ruth Circle and surrounded herself with more Christian women. She attended several Women of the ELCA conventions and became a delegate to two Churchwide Triennial Conventions where Wanda learned about the churchwide ministries of the ELCA. “The sessions were so enlightening, such as learning about the women who had to spend half the day carrying water – over time impacting their posture. I never envisioned such a thing.” 

Upon retirement Wanda spread her wings and became a very important part of the Food Pantry volunteer group even serving on the Food Pantry Board. Until shoulder surgery, Wanda could be heard throughout the church on Mondays pounding frozen meat. She can also be heard on Thursdays at Brown Bag Bible Study group, which she sometimes leads.

Wanda has emersed herself in all aspects of the church.  She served on the church council and became an instrumental member of the Worship and Music Committee. Wanda is there for any church member who calls in need of a ride to church or a lift to a doctor’s appointment. Living her faith as she does, Wanda knows she made the right choice.

Thank you, Grace Lutheran Church, for welcoming.