This morning I was doing some research thought of the church that played such an important role in my life: Cameron Road Church of Christ. When I was looking for information about the church the BBB has that it began in 1968, but that cannot be right, unless they had to incorporate or get their 501C3 status because I know I was baptized in 1966 at age 11, and we had been going there ever since I was in grade school. Anyway, I sent this email to the church:
Please share this with those in leadership of the church,
I was doing some research today on other churches and what ministries they have and I thought about checking out Cameron Road Church of Christ. What a joy is was to see how God has blessed the church where I grew up in. My maiden name is Bryan. When I was a little girl I remember meeting in a school and my dad was very active in the group who were tasked with finding the right place to build a building that we could call 'home.'
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| This is how I remember the church |
My dad was a carpenter/contractor and he helped to build Cameron Road Church of Christ. I have fond memories of going to 'work' with my dad on Saturdays, helping in any way my little hands could do. Gene Bryan, one of the founding 'fathers' of the church. Mildred Bryan, my mom who loved to sing. I can still hear her voice singing one of her favorite songs, It is Well With My Soul.
My mind is flooding with memories. Sunday school, sand boxes where the Bible stories were acted out. Flannel boards of Bible characters. I could go on and on. Dinner on the grounds, of course, complete with many hand cranked home made ice cream buckets. Peaches from the Profitt's Farm outside of Fredericksburg.
Vacation Bible school brings memories of children sitting in the sanctuary singing 'This Little Light of Mine." As I grew into a Teenager I remember the Youth Ministry and Treasure Hunts that led us back to the little house on the lot just north of the main building. The church had purchased it specifically for the Youth Group. Such happy memories of going to camp at the HEB campground on buses full of youth singing songs.
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| https://www.facebook.com/LaityLodgeYouthCamp/ |
I was immersed in the gospel of Christ three times a week and more. I loved church. Still do!
It is because of my roots in the church on Cameron Road, that I am a minister now. I was one of those children with a hundred questions for the preacher and elders or deacons. I took worship very serious, taking notes of every service. I still have some of those notes that my Mom had saved over the years. I would go home from Sunday worship, line up all my dolls and stuffed animals and would preach to them, sharing the message of the sermon of the day. My very good friend, whose family didn't go to church would come over on a lot of the Sunday afternoons and he would be among the dolls being taught the Word of God. He told me that someday I would be a great preacher. I laughed because women preachers/pastors were unheard of 60 years ago. He used to call me Rev. Charli.
Who would have thought that those precious beginnings would grow into a passion for sharing the peace of God within my heart. I became a minister specifically to work with hospice, which I did for five years. God didn't call me to actually Pastor a congregation, so I have ministered in any way I am needed, from Women's Ministry, Grief Counseling, Prayer Ministry, putting together our Newsletter, serving on our church counsel as the Treasurer. It all comes back to those days of establishing a church building on Cameron Road and learning that whatever I do, I do it as unto the Lord.
My dad would be so very happy to see how the church has grown over the years. The last time I was back in Austin we drove by the church, and what a wondrous surprise to see the addition on to the original building. God has been very good to the church and my heart is pleased.
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| Within the circle is the part that my dad helped to build |
May God continue to pour out His blessings to everyone who is the Church on Cameron Road. May the Elders continue to vision for the future and follow God's leading. May the deacons be filled with compassion as they see to the needs of the church. May each member of CRCofC be blessed with an outpouring of the goodness of God.
With the greatest joy,
Charlotte
