Mt. Tabor Storytellers Present ......

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Animals Speak

As the youngest of three daughters, one Christmas little Rebekah found herself underfoot. Hoping to provide her youngest child a distraction befitting the Christmas season, Mama explained to Rebekah that one of the gifts of Christmas Eve is that we can hear the animals speak if only we listen closely and patiently. Eager to receive this special gift, little Rebekah ran to find her Grandmother Bouye’s milking stool, seated herself on it, faced her dog Penny, stared deep into her pet’s eyes, and watched Penny blink in tandem with her, hoping to hear her dog talk. 

Rebekah says she has always imagined what Christmas must have been like with the animals in the barn surrounding the manger. “Christ was born around animals. I love that He was born in a simple place to simple people.” This vision and her childhood wish to hear animals speaking on Christmas Eve sparked in Rebekah a desire to capture the sweet humble nature of Christ’s birth. In the same way the Holy Spirit gently woos us, Rebekah says the writing of the annual Christmas play is a labor of love that cannot be forced. Instead, next year’s story begins formulating in her mind on the drive home immediately following each year’s performance and unfolds throughout the next year while Rebekah weeps, prays, and often writes late into the night or early morning as the Holy Spirit reveals the story to her.  

“I have been writing these stories for over 30 years, and I love every minute of it. Each story is unique and special in its own way. My favorite is the one Peter Crawford narrated as the voice of God from backstage and the imperfect angel is chosen for the Christmas night job of leading us to the barn because the angel fulfills that most special task despite her imperfection. That story captures the truth that Jesus came into an imperfect place to save all of us imperfect people.”

Thank you to all of the parents who bring your children to play practice, all of the kids (many of whom are now adults) who dutifully memorize their lines, and all of the many people who work behind the scenes to make the annual Christmas play a success, allowing the animals to speak.

Written and submitted by Christie Cook

©Mt Tabor Lutheran Church, West Columbia, 2023

Clodhopper

The proud owner of off-white mules with chunky heels, 15-year-old Summer Gambrell couldn’t wait to wear her new shoes to church, despite her father’s advice that they were not the best choice for an acolyte. The next Sunday, she reverently bowed and stepped up to the altar when her right “clodhopper,” as her father had labeled the new shoes, fell off her foot. The noise reverberated throughout the quiet sanctuary. Summer regained her balance, but when she turned around to collect her shoe, she caught sight of Fred Vallejo laughing hysterically and her father giving his all-knowing “I told you so” look from the pew. Needless to say, she never wore those clodhoppers to church again.

Summer’s church family has sustained her during the highest of highs and lowest of lows. Despite her faux pas on the altar, Summer’s embarrassment was short-lived due to the sense of love her church family members have always provided, walking alongside her in her journey of faith. At 16, Summer had a heart procedure at MUSC. She can clearly remember Fred Carter calling to check on her and Bob Addy writing a letter of encouragement, as he too shared the same condition. She fondly remembers the valuable lessons she learned from the Willyerds in Sunday School, which were sweetened with an endless supply of Bubblicious Bubble Gum. She will never forget Ann Spainhour beaming with pride as Summer and her dad stood at the back of the church before she walked down the aisle at her wedding. She healthfully weathered her dad’s cancer diagnosis and subsequent passing steeped in an outpouring of love and support from the entire church family. Summer lovingly remembers when both of her children were baptized at Mt. Tabor and was overjoyed when she dropped her daughter, Everly, at Lutheridge, reminiscing about her own childhood spent there with church friends. 

Summer has lived in Charleston for 25 years, but still calls Mt. Tabor home because it set the foundation for her faith. “Returning to Mt. Tabor is like going to my grandparents’ house - that warm, familiar, and inviting place where everyone is always happy to see me and wants to hear all about what I’ve been up to.” Growing up surrounded by her Mt. Tabor family shaped the person she is and what she is passionate about today. 

The care, concern, and loving-kindness provided for children and youth at Mt. Tabor helps them form strong foundations of faith that sustain them throughout their lives. By accepting responsibility for accompanying them on their faith journeys, promising to keep them in your prayers, teaching them the Lord’s Prayer and the Apostle’s Creed, and reminding them of their baptisms, you fulfill the promises you make at their baptisms to be a sign of God’s love for them.

Written by: Whitney Glass; edited by Christie Cook

Copyright @Mount Tabor Lutheran Church, West Columbia, 2024

A Lifetime of Serving

For many years, if you attended a service at Mount Tabor on a Sunday morning, you would have been greeted by a smile and friendly hello from Paul Jacobs.

Paul was fortunate that his mother, a member of a Pentecostal Holiness congregation, compromised with his father, who was a Lutheran.  Since the family made their new home in The Avenues of West Columbia, they became members of Mount Tabor. 

Paul always felt the need to serve his church and its members in many ways, eventually finding his niche as Worship Coordinator for the early service on Sundays.  You would find him arriving at 7:30 to open the doors and get everything ready, and often not leaving until after noon.  

Through his service, he created a second family built by mutual faith and what would become more than just friendships.  Through prayer and acts of kindness, this church family helped to carry Paul and his wife when they were at their lowest point.  Paul says, “The church members delivered many meals, took me to doctor’s appointments or the hospital, or simply called to chat and check-in.” 

“I have always believed in the power of prayer, but when you are on the receiving end of those prayers, you feel something truly amazing and a peace you have never experienced before,” Paul affirms.  

Paul found that the church he had spent a lifetime serving was now ready to serve him.  Paul’s experience at Mount Tabor is a reflection of the generosity, love, and servitude freely offered to all who make their home at Mount Tabor.  Martin Luther attested that “we should be guided in all our works by this one thought alone - that we may serve and benefit others in everything that is done, having nothing before our eyes except the need and advantage of the neighbor.” 

Author:  John Matthews

Editor:  Grace Fuson

Copyright @Mt.Tabor Lutheran Church, West Columbia, 2024

Whole

For as long as she can remember, music has been the single constant in Mary’s life, through highs and lows, through traumas, and through celebrations. After becoming a mother, that part of her life fell the way of most adult pastimes once children enter the scene, but Mary came to realize “the longer that music was not an intentionally active part of my life, the harder it was to feel like I was whole…it’s like I was missing out on who God created me to be.” Over time, Mary’s children became involved in the music-related activities at Mt. Tabor, and watching their joy reminded her of her own passion, so Mary expanded her involvement from the adult choir to also learning handbells.  And then one day, she heard members of the handbell choirs talking about a camp called Lutheridge that hosted an annual handbell retreat – “I had never even heard of it but decided it might be fun.”  

It was more than just fun for Mary. She found a connection, not only to others in Mt. Tabor’s choirs, but to everyone who appreciates that worship and praise via music is a holy and intimate connection to God.  Mary’s experience at Lutheridge has drawn her back to the hills of Arden multiple times since that inaugural trip a decade ago. “Those weekends at Lutheridge not only create a bond with fellow choir members,” Mary beamed, “but they serve as a reminder that scores of other ringers have found their spiritual missing links through music as well…Music has been one of God’s greatest gifts to Creation, so it’s only natural that we do all we can to use that very gift to worship and praise Him.” 

Finding a sense of belonging and purpose made Mt. Tabor feel like home for Mary, who says “it was worth every step in my journey.” Like Mary, we all have gifts to offer. We thank the musicians and all the others who work tirelessly to share their gifts with Mt. Tabor, gifts that raise us up in our faith and bring us closer to God.  

Written by Tex Davis; edited by Joyce Riley

Copyright @Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church, West Columbia, 2024 

  JUMP

Tony came to them at five months old and stole their hearts. Megan Lyons and her husband Cory took in the sweet baby boy through a fostering program, and ultimately adopted him.  Originally from Indiana, Megan wasn’t familiar with churches around Columbia, SC, but friends who are members of Mt. Tabor encouraged her to visit our church and bring Tony to Sunday school. While watching Tony thrive with other children, Megan discovered it was also a great pathway for her to meet new people.  Megan found herself engaging more, thanks to the children’s programs and attending the Sunday services, along with the other programs offered throughout the week. The connection that Megan felt through our worship services and the pastor’s sermons solidified her regular attendance. She could be found most Sundays front and center on the pulpit side of the sanctuary, with Tony beaming at everyone seated around them.  Megan shared that “Pastor Wade’s sermons can radiate into anyone’s heart to help them through so many difficult walks in life.  From first-time moms going through constant diaper changes, exhaustion, and days without time to even shower, to the parents fraught with fear, sending their now grown babies off to college, his sermons speak to everyone.”  When Megan welcomed her second child in 2018, a precious little girl named Emma, it became clear to her that joining this church was the right move for her growing family.

After bouncing back from Covid, adjusting to being a mom of two, and feeling the strong need for community, Megan jumped in with both feet.  Tony, Emma, and Megan were all baptized and officially became part of the Mount Tabor family.  Megan says she “is so grateful for the support system that is her church” and has expressed her belief in “giving everyone a chance, because that’s how deep-rooted relationships are made.”  Megan took on the VBS program in 2023, and she is now full speed ahead.  The program was a huge undertaking, and she is rightfully proud of its success. Megan believes “the achievements of VBS last year were because of YOU – our church family. Thank you for your faithfulness, dedication, and never-ending love.” 

Megan’s can-do attitude is all her own, but you also can find your niche in our Mt. Tabor community. Thank you to all the members of Mt. Tabor, who share a deep history of graciously welcoming new members and encouraging them to grow their unique gifts with love and acceptance, and yes, to jump in with both feet!

Written by Anna Scyphers

Edited by Joyce Riley

Copyright @ Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church, West Columbia, 2024

  Home

Patsy Gambrell grew up at Mount Tabor.  She was baptized, confirmed, and married in the beautiful sanctuary.  Patsy loves this church, the ministries, and the people, but her special passion is caring for this beautiful building, helping to keep it warm and inviting, a shelter for all of God’s children who call this home. 

She works on many committees and groups who strive to maintain our physical presence.  Once when the church was without a janitorial service, Patsy and her daughter Whitney cleaned the sanctuary and other common rooms every Thursday night in preparation for the weekend services and other activities.  An outgrowth of that weekly task came during the pandemic when the “Cleaning Crew,” was formed. This group came together to organize, clean, and take care of our church home, a task she describes as “much like I take care of my own home.”  And please be sure to ask her about the upside-down sheet of wallpaper in the women’s bathroom in the office!  

After Patsy lost her husband, she had to redefine her life, but her commitment to Mt. Tabor remains as strong as ever. When Patsy calls Mount Tabor home, she means it in the purest sense of the word – it’s where she belongs.  Like Patsy, all of us evolve throughout our time with Mt. Tabor, but the church remains constant, as Patsy says, “because of the gifts of this church - the love, peace, friendship, and family, this is home.” 

Author: Joyce Riley   

Edited by: Christy Cook, Grace Fuson 

Copyright @Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church, West Columbia, 2024 

 Propelled

When Sarah’s father, an Episcopal Priest, retired from full-time ministry, she found herself seeking a new church family. Finding a church home where she would be known, loved, and accepted as “just Sarah,” not Father Whitehead’s daughter, propelled her into a new phase of her faith journey.

Sarah fondly remembers her first visit to Mt. Tabor. Pastor Wade discovered her in the hallway, enthusiastically greeted her, and escorted her to a table where several members warmly welcomed her. Shortly after beginning regular church attendance and joining the choir, Sarah was unexpectedly hospitalized. Soon after she was admitted, word of her illness reached Mt. Tabor’s music director and choir members. Before she knew it, for the duration of her hospital stay, Sarah’s room was regularly packed with choir members. During one particularly large visit, Sarah’s nurse mentioned that Sarah may need to begin limiting her visitors to family only. This comment urged a choir member to immediately respond, “We are family!” Sarah says that this statement was a revelation to her, prompting her to realize that Mt. Tabor provides the sense of family that she had been seeking in a church. “One thing I appreciate about Mt. Tabor is that its members not only care for each other, but the membership tries its best to be there for the surrounding community. They do outreach activities such as Sharing Our Stuff (SOS), Halloween in the Park, and youth projects such as building floats for the local Christmas parade,” Sarah explained, “I love what Mt. Tabor does and what it stands for.” 

Your spirit of warm welcome and generosity makes welcoming and serving strangers possible. When you welcome and invite new people into our midst, you affirm your baptismal promises to  “...live among God’s faithful people; hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s Supper; proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed; serve all people following the example of Jesus; and strive for justice and peace in all the earth.”

Copyright @Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church, West Columbia, 2024 

Ambassador

  Whether you are a long-time member or a first-time visitor, Ann will seek you out to say hello, or to introduce herself and welcome you to Mt. Tabor. Examples of Ann’s faithfulness shine through and reflect her love for God and for our church.  She has a wealth of knowledge about Mt. Tabor’s history, and she strongly believes in living her faith as an example for others. 

As a young woman, Ann recalls her past Sunday school teachers and other women of the church encouraging her to work with the young children, telling her they “needed her to help teach and nurture the children to grow in their faith.”  This made Ann feel loved and needed, and she recognized the power of that encouragement from the women she admired.   Ann is now the one to reach out to new and long-time members who are looking for ways to become involved in the Mt. Tabor church family.  She is an ambassador for our faith and our church as she strives to make everyone feel welcomed and loved at Mt. Tabor.  Ann’s ability to get to know you, and to find a special place for you in our church community, is a rare and special talent. 

Ann’s gentle spirit touches everyone who meets her.  When you get to know Ann, you want to be like her, to capture the love that exudes from her, and to pass it on.  When you hear and heed Ann’s suggestions to become involved in certain groups or activities, you quickly become part of our faith and our family.  Thank you to Ann and to all of you who follow her 

guiding spirit and who strive to make

 Mt. Tabor such a special place. 

Author: BJ Roof  

Edit: Joyce Riley 

Copyright @Tabor Lutheran Church, 

West Columbia 2024  

  Hands

How many of us can say that we’ve met a direct descendant of Martin Luther? We were commissioned to handcraft for his descendants a Luther Rose gift banner? That our one-of-a-kind original banner has been displayed in the first Lutheran church in Germany? That we were invited to participate in Germany’s celebration of the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation? Or that we’ve walked in Martin Luther’s footsteps? Growing up as the youngest of three daughters in the small town of Gastonia, NC, Alice Pollock probably didn’t dream that she would one day experience such rare, special, and unique opportunities! However, even from a young age, like her parents, Ms. Alice had an affinity for sharing her faith through music and artistic expression, so it is fitting that she has received the blessing of these memorable honors and recognitions. 

While reflecting on her local, state, and global impact, she explains, “I love meeting new people, working with people, and helping them feel like they belong to a church where they can express their faith in many ways.” Equipped with a degree in home economics and the spouse of a U.S. Marine corpsman, like many women of her generation, Ms. Alice was, by today’s standards, uniquely prepared to use her hands as tools that channel God’s love. When on base and finding herself homesick for her church, she “consistently embraced the ecumenical spirit of military houses of worship, sensing a kinship with other Christians.” Using her hands in service to others and to her church, Ms. Alice discovered new ways to express her faith and served as a role model who actively demonstrated that using one’s hands gives rise to new expressions of faith. Whether she was teaching banner-making, how to decorate Chrismon trees, or stitching replicas of Mt. Tabor’s stained-glass windows on altar kneeling cushions, Ms. Alice has been the epitome of a good and faithful servant whose legacy demonstrates to the Church, believing that “when we use our hands in service to the Church and to our brothers and sisters in Christ, God’s spirit is unleashed through us.”

By accepting your call to walk alongside God’s people in their faith journeys, you fulfill the promises you make at their baptisms to be a sign of God’s love for them. Like Ms. Alice, may we all use our gifts for ministry and embrace our responsibility to give unique expression to our faith as we use our hands in Christian service to others.

Copyright @Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church, West Columbia, 2024 

Giving

Ms. Lib Manus left this world as she had lived in it...  counting her many blessings and loving God, Mt. Tabor, and her family.  She was born in 1921 and grew up in the Great Depression, then married and watched her husband and brother go off to fight in WW II.   Her brother did not come home... but Ms. Lib’s deep faith and family sustained her through this and throughout her life.  After her husband of many years passed, Ms. Lib joined the Scatter Cheer Sunday School class and embraced her belief in sharing the good that God gave her. She was the last living member of this class, a group of women who believed in hard work and giving back, so typical of the greatest generation she was a part of...  they made weekly visits to homebound church members and contributed to the care and upkeep of our church building, including the plants around the side open courtyard.  

Ms. Lib shared some of her thoughts on how to make our church and our world a better place: 

“We just need to love one another.”   

“Remember the past, but don’t dwell on it.” 

“Work together for the good of the Church.” 

Ms. Lib didn’t believe in getting caught up in the daily grind.  Her motto was “Where does God need me today?”  To her family, Ms. Lib was a true matriarch.  She was always there, giving love, support, and comfort, during the good times and the bad.   

Like Ms. Lib, we all have gifts from God to freely share, in our church, in our world, and in our family.  We all experience pain and suffering in our life, but we also have our faith to lean in on, to guide us, to help us help others, and to bring joy to our world.  Where does God need you today? 

Written and edited by Joyce Finney Riley and Ann Manus Spainhour 

Copyright @ Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church, West Columbia, 2024 

Many thanks to the Manus and Spainhour family for graciously allowing us to share Ms. Lib’s story posthumous.  

Worship

  Sandy Dennis’ husband reminded her one day that he had grown up Lutheran, then asked if they could visit a Lutheran church one Sunday.  When Sandy agreed, he requested to visit Mt. Tabor Lutheran.  Sandy “immediately loved Mt. Tabor.”  She has spent several years serving with the Faith Community Health Ministry, and continues to contribute her hand-crafted cards every month, and she participates in the quilting ministry on Monday mornings.  But Sandy shares that her “first love at Mt. Tabor is the strong priority on worship.” 

Having grown up Baptist she was intrigued by the liturgical worship, “enjoying the congregational participation, the beautiful music, the challenging sermons, and the weekly observation of communion.”  Sandy appreciates the services are well-planned, participatory, not rushed and that “the weekly emphasis on experiencing God’s grace in worship and fellowship with God’s people leads me to share that grace and love with others.”   

We can all participate in the many ministry opportunities offered at Mt. Tabor, but like Sandy, as Christians we come together every Sunday to share our faith and our love through our worship, our music, and our communion.   

Interviewed by: Ann Spainhour; Edited by Joyce Riley 

Copyright @ Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church, West Columbia, SC, 2024 

 Niche

Pam Harmon Hoskins’ earliest memories of Mt. Tabor include “Sunday School, stretching out in the pew to nap during the sermon, summer ‘Week at Church’ and the much beloved sexton, Sammy.”  More recently, Pam remembers her marriage to Murray, which was a small service with people close to their hearts, capped off with a group picture of everyone on the front steps.  But Pam also has some more solemn memories, including her parents’ funerals.  Pam recalls before her mother’s sudden passing, they spent most of the weekend together.  Pam was co-chair of the WELCA cookbook committee and Mary served on the committee.  The cookbooks arrived the Friday before Thanksgiving week.  Pam, Mary, and other committee members met at the church, excited to open the boxes and admire the cookbooks.  By Monday, Mary was gone.  The funeral was that Wednesday, and Pam was particularly touched when the handbell choir, of which she is a part, volunteered to play a special piece they were learning for Christmas, Creation Will be at Peace, after playing it for the first time that Monday.  Pam continues to actively “talk to her parents in heaven and takes to heart the signs of their guidance” believing that even though they are not physically with her, they speak to her through the Holy Spirit.  Growing up, her mom always stressed that Pam “could do whatever she wanted, but church comes first.  God is so good to us, and we need to be there to express our thanks and give back.”  

One Sunday, during the service, Pam had an idea to livestream Pastor Wade’s sermon. Deciding it is easier to ask forgiveness than permission, she just did it.  Over the next year, Pam and others started with streaming the Gospel and the Sermon, then added in the Readings, before going live with the full service.  Little did she know how critical her impulsive decision that one Sunday in 2019 would be to the future of Mt. Tabor.  Exactly one year later, the pandemic shut down the world.  That sudden idea became a lifeline for our congregation. The services were live every Sunday morning, and available for streaming later for those who couldn’t join.  At one point, Pam even led the effort to put members pictures on the pews, so Pastor Wade “wasn’t preaching to an empty sanctuary.” 

Today, the livestream service is a critical part of our ministries for our church family and serves as an outreach project for those looking for a church home.  Pam is extremely passionate about this ministry and “its blessing to our members with physical limitations, as well as those who work on Sundays.” 

Like Pam’s spur of the moment idea to stream Pastor Wade’s sermon, many of us can share our ideas, our gifts, our passions, and our talents to serve God, our Church, and our community.  As Pam says, “It’s all about finding your niche.” 

Interviewed by Joyce Riley, Edited by Grace Fuson 

@Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church, West Columbia, 2024