Love God! Love Neighbor! By Sara Hill

 

The Song of My Youth

I am a "baby boomer" from New York, and in the world I grew up in, the church was the absolute center of gravity. It wasn't just a place we went on Sundays; it was our social life and our family. I essentially sang my way through the sanctuary, starting in the Cherub Choir and eventually finding my place in the High School choir.

Back then, the lines were very clearly drawn. We were the "Methodist Youth Fellowship" (MYF) kids. I remember being so deeply involved in our church activities that I barely knew the girl who lived just down the street because she went to the Catholic church. Even the Girl Scout troops were separated by denomination. While I’m glad those walls have come down today, that early immersion in the Methodist tradition planted seeds in me that I didn't even recognize at the time.

Leadership seemed to find me early, whether I was looking for it or not. I ended up as the president of the sub-district for the MYF, helping lead youth across our entire county. I think back to that young version of myself, and I realize now that God was already training me for a life of "cooperative ministry"—teaching me how to bring people together for a common purpose before I even had a driver’s license.

 

The Rock and the Question

However, growing up in the pews doesn't mean you walk through life without questions. I remember being on a church retreat as a young woman. I went out and sat on a big rock by the beach, watching the waves and feeling very small. I sat there for a long time, contemplating: “How do I really know there is a God?”

I didn't come up with a lightning-bolt answer that day, but I realized that the act of questioning is part of faith itself. We should all question what we believe from time to time, because that is how a "borrowed" faith becomes our own. It makes the roots go deeper. It turns a tradition into a conviction.

 

Finding Home in the County

When Rick and I first moved here, our lives were busy with the lodge, and we couldn't be in church every single Sunday. But slowly, almost like a melody building in volume, this congregation became our family. I’ve seen this change in myself over the years: you start by attending, then you start by joining, and eventually, you find that you simply cannot imagine your life without this connection.

For a long time, I stayed on the sidelines of organized leadership. I was working and raising a family. I didn't join the women’s group until I retired because I simply didn't have the time. Now that I look back, I realize what a "hook" that connection is. It tethers you to the lives of others. When I see people today who don't have a church home, my heart aches because they are missing the safety net of a community that truly knows them.

 

A Heart for Leadership

Today, I find myself in roles that my younger self on that rock in New York might never have imagined. Serving as the President of the United Women in Faith (UWF) and the Chair of the Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) has been a deeply rewarding chapter.

After years of being "too busy," I finally gave God my "yes" to step into leadership. In the UWF, I see the "gold" that Rick always talks about—not just in money, but in the wealth of talent and compassion our women possess. It has been a blessing to lead such a dedicated group of women who turn their faith into action every single day.

As the SPRC Chair, I’ve learned that God uses our administrative gifts just as much as our musical ones. Leading a committee is just another way of singing a song of praise; it’s about harmony, listening, and making sure everyone in our church family is cared for. I am so grateful for the way God has used these positions to deepen my own commitment to our church’s future.

 

The Two Rules

I remember a Bible study I did years ago where we realized the law really boils down to two simple rules: Love God and love your neighbor as yourself.

I remember saying at the time, "Well, that’s pretty simple." And it is. But as I’ve grown older, I’ve learned that "simple" is not the same as "easy." Loving your neighbor means showing up for the food pantry when the delivery is double-sized, and the basement is packed with people. It means organizing the "Bone Builders" class because people needed a place to feel seen and healthy. It means serving on committees even when the tasks are heavy, because you love the people you serve.

The Eternal Melody

Music remains the most direct line to my soul. My mother was a singer, and even now, I can hear her voice when we sing The Old Rugged Cross. One of my most cherished memories is of an Easter Sunday when our daughter, Julie, came into the house singing "He arose from the grave!" before I was even fully awake. That is the first thing I heard that morning, and it set the tone for the entire day.

One of the most outstanding moments of my life was a combined choir concert we held in May. We had all the choirs together—from the four-year-olds to the seniors. One of our singers was a young man with a massive, deep voice. He sang the stanzas of How Great Thou Art, and when he hit those deep notes, you could feel it in the floorboards. Then, the rest of the choirs, a hundred voices strong, joined in on the chorus.

In that moment, there were no divisions. There was just one song.

My favorite hymn these days is I’ll Fly Away. It captures the joy of the transition we all eventually face. But until that day comes, I am sticking to my story: God is in the connection. He is in the music. He is in the hard work of our women’s groups and the quiet deliberations of our committees.

I’ve learned that when you give your "yes" to God, He uses every bit of your history—the choir robes, the questions on the beach, and the years of being "too busy"—to build something beautiful. I am so grateful that our church opens its doors to everyone, from the food pantry to the board game nights. We share our lives and our presence, and in doing so, we proclaim the gospel without having to say a single word.

God has only given us two rules. I’ll keep trying to love my neighbor, keep leading with a servant’s heart, and keep singing until the Lord calls me home.

Amen.