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This week?s lectionary contains three messages that have been a part of me all my life.

I was 5 when we moved to the neighborhood of St. Mark?s Methodist Church in Baltimore in 1920.

It was a church that took its responsibility for children seriously. Teachers went to leadership schools. They used the Closely Graded Lessons, which were just published. We also had a great youth class; and then as a senior, I began teaching under a great primary department superintendent. How blessed I was.

We learned that Miriam sang praises to God with timbrel and dance; and we helped our primary children do the same.

I don?t have a timbrel in my retirement, but I still sing praises to God every day, echoing Exodus 15:10-11, 15-20.

The second lesson for this week is in Matthew. I relate this to Paul?s description of love in 1 Corinthians 13. I began learning this lesson early too.

I had a brother two years older than I, whose great delight it was to tease me until I beat him helplessly with my fists and wept in frustration. We were 10 and 12 at the time and must have driven Mother crazy.

She interrupted one fracas, saying sternly, 'Stop that!' We stopped, in some surprise at her vehemence. 'Now you each go to your own room and take your Bible and read 1 Corinthians 13 and think about it.'

Well, I did, and have been thinking about that chapter ever since. When I read this lection, some of Paul?s phrases describe a forgiving person, which is what Jesus calls us to be.

I first memorized Paul?s chapter in the King James Version. Comparing other translations as they came along, and more recently, Eugene Peterson?s excellent paraphrase, 'The Message,' greatly enriches the meaning. Love is very patient, kind, eager to believe the best, always hopeful. ... Such people are always ready to forgive.

Then I consider Romans 14:1-6: 'Live to the Lord.' This too has been a gbwc_superusereline since I made the vocational commitment to Christ sometime in college. A helpful professor showed interest in me and told me about a new profession open to women in the church: Christian education.

Women were not ordained in The Methodist Church in 1936. My professor suggested I get information about Union Theological Seminary in New York City. I did, and that has been my life ever since. 'Whatever you do, do it to the Lord.'

After three years of leading education in a local church, in 1939 I was invited by the Rev. John C. Millian to join him as staff of the Board of Education of the (then) Baltimore Conference. Our goals were to serve the local churches by individual

visits and by providing leadership schools and other opportunities for helping pastors and laity function effectively.

I am grateful to see that effort continuing today, under the Rev. Vivian McCarthy?s direction, at the Leadership Days each winter. What a privilege it has been to be associated with so many of you for so many years. Thanks be to God!

Mary Alice Edwards is retired and is a member of Providence-Fort Washington UMC.