Member Testimonial: Julia Hencel

For those of you that I don’t know, my name is Julia Hencel. I’m an atypical Unitarian in that I’m a 7th generation. My experience growing up in the church was also a little unique as I am a preacher’s kid. My father was called at the age of 29 to the First Unitarian Church of St. Louis where he was married and had one child, my sister. Two years later, I was born into the church. The church was a huge part of my upbringing and there is something special about being a church baby… You instantly have a lot of “aunts/uncles, grandparents” that have looked after me for my entire life.

I left St. Louis when I graduated high school and started down my life path. I headed off to college in Pennsylvania, first job in Washington DC, graduate school in Nashville, and a few other work locations after that. Through all of these moves, I would periodically attend church. I would go when it didn’t interfere with my personal life and probably more realistic when I was looking for something more spiritual. I didn’t go with any regularity, but my initial experiences were never that moving either to entice me to come back.

In 2004, I moved to Memphis after a job transition with International Paper. My dad encouraged me to attend Church of the River and he said simply I think you may like it.

I remember walking in and being very hopeful…. The choir and minister were in a robe (check). People didn’t bring in coffee into the sanctuary (check), people dressed nicely (check). The order of service was in a format that I was used to and it ended with the benediction that my Dad would say every Sunday (check and check). It felt familiar and comfortable. I signed up to receive the newsletter.

A few weeks later, I joined the "lunch bunch" after church. I don’t even remember who was at this lunch, but I called my sister immediately after and said I went out to eat with a bunch of people that I don’t know from church and it is what I have been missing in my life. We discussed about how where I was in my life I spent a lot of time with people very similar to me—graduate school, first job, at the bars, etc. Church is the place where you come together in common respect for your beliefs, but people have all different backgrounds and experiences. I remember thoroughly enjoying the people that I met at the lunch. Some were 40 years older than I and others had a very different upbringing, but I enjoyed our conversation.

I joined the church in 2005 but was soon after transferred to Boston. This time was special for me as my dad was living there at the time so I had an opportunity again to hear him preach each Sunday.

In 2013, my late husband and I were discussing about another job transfer that would take us back to Memphis. As I weighed the pros and cons, I remembered my short time at Church of the River and found that it was one of the things in the "plus" column for me.

When I came back to church, I recognized only a few faces, but my feelings were the same about this place when I came the first time almost 10 years prior. This was a place that felt comfortable. I decided that I wanted to become more involved. I signed up to participate in Supper Club. Besides being a little anxious about the first dinner, it was a great decision as it helped me get to know a few people. So when I came into church on Sunday, I had someone to say hello to. This positive experience is why I have taken over the coordination of this “little m” ministry of our church.

As we are in this time of transition between ministers, the one thing I’m confident about is that the people of this church will stay together. This is a healthy and happy community and one that I’m glad to be a part of. I have made connections and friendships within this church. And while I am not the "Church Baby", I have met people in this church that care for me which is a wonderful feeling.

I hope that you will join me in making your pledge to Church of the River. This pledge helps continue the works of this church and my hope is that this community will help provide you the support in whatever stage you are in life.

In closing, I would like to read the benediction that drew me to this church. These words, have always provided me hope about and what opportunities lie ahead in life.

And now may the peace, which passes all understanding,

And the truth that makes us free;

May the love that casts out fear

And the hope that never dies

Lead us forward, until the day spring breaks

And the shadows flee away.

AMEN