amily Reunions

Last week at the NACC there were many references to a “family reunion” as members of the Independent Christian Churches and members of the a cappella Churches of Christ met together. Those comments led me to reflect on my own family.

When my dad was two years old, his mother died of “consumption” – as it was called in those days. My dad’s father could not deal with the loss of his young wife and the burden of two small boys (my uncle was four years old at the time). Mama Hughes, my dad’s grandmother, stepped in to take over the responsibility for raising the two little boys.

Many relatives lived in the same small town, but dad’s maternal relatives – the Ellis family -- were fearful of consumption, not understanding how it spread. They forbade their children from playing with the young brothers because they feared contamination. They loved their children and didn’t want to endanger them or perhaps lose them to the sickness.

Eventually, Mama and Papa Hughes moved away from that hometown, and all contact with the Ellis family was lost. Dad’s father married again after a few years and started a new life. My dad grew up never knowing his aunts, uncles, and cousins and rarely hearing his mother mentioned.

Decades later, when I was a teenager, my dad was surprised to receive an invitation to an Ellis family reunion. It came as a shock in some ways. After years of rejection, he could have refused to respond. He could have held a grudge. However, he quickly set aside the years of pain and isolation, the years of denied relationship.

Much time had passed; the once fearful uncles and aunts now understood now that there was no threat of contamination. They understood now where the real dangers lay.

I’ll never forget my dad’s joy at the reunion. The Ellis family welcomed him with open arms, and there were many conversations about shared relatives, shared memories, shared heritage. ‘You have Uncle John’s eyes!’ ‘Do you remember the house on State Street?’

At last, he was reunited with those who shared his heritage. The relationships that had been withheld were lovingly extended. My father beamed as he was surrounded by new-found kinfolk.

My experience in Louisville was in some ways similar.

I found myself surrounded by brothers and sisters that I had not known before. I learned of our shared heritage. I enjoyed discovering the many things we have in common.

I know now that there was no danger of contamination or being lost as a result of fellowshipping one another. I know now where the real dangers lie – not from my Christian friends in a different stream, but from the Father of all Lies who sows division and suspicion.

What a thrill to discover the brothers and sisters I’ve never known! What a joy to share fellowship with a much larger family.

Karen Strong, Western Hills CofC 7/4/06