We feel God’s presence at Balmoral Presbyterian Church – in worship, in fellowship, in outreach, and most importantly, in the people of Balmoral. See what some of Balmoral’s members have to say about God’s impact on their lives through this church.
The Fry Family
“What has been particularly meaningful for us at Balmoral is the way our children, Jared and Lindsey, have grown up participating in service activities with us. One particular example was when our family prepared a meal to share with the residents of Dismas House. Dismas House was a support program for recently released prisoners that Balmoral participated in. Jared and Lindsey, who were seven and five years old at the time, helped make a huge fruit salad and brownies that were part of the meal. As our family sat around the dinner table talking with these former prisoners, we all were touched by the stories of these men and women. They talked candidly about making bad mistakes and knowing that God had forgiven them and had plans for their lives. It was heartwarming to hear our children’s voices as they shared their own prayers during the circle time. Andy and I watched Jared and Lindsey laugh and talk with the residents and pass out bear hugs as the evening drew to a close.
“We had to smile a couple of weeks later when the children saw a homeless person and asked our permission to approach him and see if he had been in prison - so they could tell him about a place that would provide him a warm home. We feel very blessed to be part of a church where our children can experience first hand what it means to be Christ’s hands in our world.”
Cecil and Jane Rousseau
“Almost fifteen years ago, we were looking for a church that had good preaching, outreach to the community, friendly people and good adult education. We found all of this at Balmoral Presbyterian Church, but we had one last question to answer. How was the church reaching out to the African-American community? Then we attended the joint Parkway Gardens and Balmoral Maundy Thursday service. Parkway Gardens United is an urban African-American PC(USA) church. We decided that Balmoral was the church for us.
“The pairing of these churches actually began in 1983 and it has produced many close friendships over the years. We are grateful for the blessing it has been in our lives. The first service I attended after my heart surgery was the joint Thanksgiving Day service at Parkway Gardens. We were very touched by the concern that many Parkway Gardens members expressed to me. This is the kind of friendship that we look for in this partnership - toward the ‘Beloved Community’.
“We have served on Balmoral’s Service Committee and the Pairing Committee for ten years, and our service experiences and our contacts with the members of Parkway Gardens have enriched our lives.”
Rachel Randall
“As far back as I can remember, music has always been a part of my life at Balmoral. From singing in the children’s choir when I was six years old, to playing flute at the Christmas Eve service in the sixth grade, to playing Orff instruments in the Youth Choir, to being a part of the sacred Lessons and Carols services, so many musical experiences at Balmoral shaped my life growing up. And now I am sharing new musical experiences with my family.
“Balmoral’s musical community is truly inter-generational. We love to play in ensembles at church with a high school violinist on the same day that we sing with friends who have been in the adult choir for years. Worship at Balmoral is a genuine, artful experience each and every week. We are thrilled that to be a part of this talented and supportive congregation shares our love of music. Also we are grateful that our son, Robert, will grow up in a church that will provide him with opportunities to discover and nurture his talents.”
The Dawson Family
“Our family joined Balmoral in 1990, primarily because of its dedication to youth and service. We have been involved in many youth activities over the years. During the summer of 2006, we were a part of a group of twenty-one Senior High youth and advisors who spent a week in New Orleans doing Katrina relief work. That filthy, sweaty work with those courageous Katrina survivors will always be one of our family’s most memorable experiences.
“The hard work, compassion, and self-sacrifice of our youth, including our two sons, David and Andrew, inspired us. It was quite a contrast to the self-gratification and entitlement that is such a constant in our culture today. Our family agrees that this was a life changing experience for all of us.
“Upon returning from New Orleans, Andrew, age sixteen, made the comment that this was the way he wanted to live his faith, and that he hoped he would always be able to “pray with his feet”. David, who is eighteen, said that Balmoral had taught him through the years that sitting back and ignoring the problems of the world was unacceptable. David understands that if we do not get involved, then we fail to follow Jesus’ example.
Balmoral has nurtured and guided our family and provided a model for Christian service. We are so thankful for this wonderful gift.”
