Linda was born and raised in rural East Texas in the First Baptist Church tradition. She was baptized in that local church, and it pretty much defined her social world which was common in rural areas. She was introduced to the Episcopal church in college where she became associated with a group of young Christians that ran a coffee house on Friday nights. They were largely influenced by the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Houston and visited there often. This was the 70’s – we sat on the floor in a circle, sang songs, testified and shared our lives. We lived in communal households and strived to live out our Christian faith and commitment every day. She eventually married one of the members in 1977 and they moved to a community in Colorado that was a special ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Denver; again, living their faith in a very real day-to-day communal experience of sharing and worship. They eventually left the community to move back closer to family in Texas. After a period of being unchurched they returned to the church – this time to the Episcopal church. The liturgy always spoke to her soul and brought people together in worship and ministry in a way that she missed. St. James was that church. She has been a member since 2011. She is a retired schoolteacher. Much of her retirement is spent travelling (a lifelong desire). When she is not travelling, she’s usually at St. James doing her part to be the face of Jesus for our community.
