BROWN FAMILY

by Diane DeBoer

First of all, I think it’s wonderful that you are honoring selected Founders of your church as part of your Centennial Anniversary Celebration. And my family and I would like to thank you for considering starting with my mom and dad, Warren and Jayne Brown.

It wouldn’t be fitting, however, not to mention my Grandpa and Grandma, Carl and Ida Brown, when thinking of the Founders, as they were part of that original Charter group back in 1912. And as quoted from “King Pines of Idaho,” “the lack of church services DID trouble Ida, and in a short time she found herself helping other women start a Sunday school...Ida saw she was expected to go ahead. ‘You’re a minister’s daughter,’ her new friends told her, ‘so you’ll know how to do this!’”

Mom and Dad became involved in the church after their marriage in 1934. Their main support was financial, but Mom also made sure there were Hot Cross Buns each Easter Sunday. And Dad and Pastor Char had a special “thing” between them. In fact Dad signed his “It’s Fun To Remember” book to her, “To My Favorite Pastor.” And that was quite an admission from my Dad! And as mom and dad sat in the congregation, dad, with his Mickey Mouse tie on, would keep an eye on his watch. And if Pastor Char went on a little too long with her sermon, he would begin tapping that watch so she could see him. She knew it was time to wrap things up!!!

But as I am attending church here, a special time comes at the end of the service when we all sing “Let There Be Peace” together. Because it is my understanding that when you all sang it some years ago, dad said to Pastor Char, “We should sing that song at the end of every service.” And so it is. Again, I thank you! And have a Wonderful Centennial year!!!