Mercedes Elizalde, Senior Speaker 2015
There are many things that I am grateful for when I think about the Church of the Redeemer. I started attending church here when I was five years old, and my family had just moved to Sarasota from New York City. Because I have been coming here since I was five, I have had the privilege of participating in many activities here, including: first communion class with Mrs. Boedecker, the production of “Horton Hears a Who” with Mrs. Moe, VBS (as a participant and an aide), LOGOS, Sunday School, getting scolded by Fr. Marsden for talking in Confirmation class, EYC, mission trips, Friday morning bible study with Mrs. Devitt’s signature monkey bread, and being an acolyte. All of these wonderful experiences I’ve had at the Church of the Redeemer have not only given me the chance to learn about being a Christian, but it has given me the chance to form some very deep bonds with some very special people. Two of the most meaningful people to me are my youth ministers, Chris Wood and Fr. David Bumsted.
Chris came to Redeemer just as I was entering middle school. For the energetic, curious, and goofy middle-schooler that I was, Chris was a saint in entertaining all of my thoughts. During confirmation classes, he was always willing to delve a little deeper into my questions and wonders about God, religion, and the church. He helped me learn that it isn’t bad to have questions or want clarifications about Christianity, and showed me that answers can be found through asking questions and that it’s okay not to just accept everything without some introspection.
Chris encouraged me to be involved in all aspects of church life, including being an acolyte, and in particular, a thurifer. It’s a good thing that we were only practicing when the thurible crashed down on my head and knocked me to the ground. If it had happened during a service, Chris’s laughter would have been too loud for me to regain my composure and continue the procession.
When Chris left Redeemer, I was heartbroken to see him go, but I knew he would learn amazing things at Nashotah House, and that he was meant to be a priest. Also, I had no idea how incredible our new youth minister would be. When Kate Wood first introduced me to Fr. David, I truthfully had no idea who he was, and my initial thought was that he was Kate’s hipster cousin. I soon learned that not only was he my new youth minister, but he was just as easy to talk with as Chris, and that he was another perfect person to discuss Christianity, my faith, and my questions. David has always met with me in and out of church to talk about various topics, from his time working at a homeless shelter (name of shelter you worked in) to the intricacies of confession. His knowledge and passion for theology and Christianity is truly inspiring, and he continues to encourage me to reflect, wonder, pray to God for advice, and realize that by continuing to learn, we grow in our faith.
When I leave for Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland this August, I will keep all the things I have learned at the Church of the Redeemer in my heart. This foundation in the church has been so important to my growth as a young adult. I am very grateful that the youth program here is so strong, and that I have been so fortunate to have been a part of it. I am proud and blessed to call the Redeemer my church home, and all the wonderful people here, my church family.
Mercedes Elizalde
The Church of the Redeemer
5th Sunday of Easter
3 May 2015