Dear Friends,
One or more members of Martha-Lindsey Cooke’s family has been attending church at Calvary since about 1953! While Martha-Lindsey herself left Ashland for a time to earn a college degree and to nurture a family of her own, she has been a faithful presence with us since her return in 2003.
Martha-Lindsey was only nine months old when her family moved to Ashland, so its members have walked alongside her during the major triumphs and trials of her life: her baptism and confirmation; the burial of her brother, Tommy, in 2012; and the celebration of her mother, Martha Ross’s, life in April, to name a few. During her time with us, she has been deeply involved with our common life, serving on the altar guild, as a member of the vestry, as a lector and bell ringer, and in many other capacities.
In my own time with her, Martha-Lindsey has been a revelation as an usher! Time after time I have heard the stories of guests’ first encounter with Calvary: she was on watch for new faces, greeting them at the door, getting their names, inviting them to coffee hour, seating them with a warm, smiling welcome and giving me a heads-up so that I might introduce myself. Those guests never forgot that first encounter with her – and with us. A fellowship event was just not complete without the faithful trio of Martha-Lindsey, Martha, and Miss Louise present!
Brother Doug lives now in Bowling Greene, Kentucky, and Martha-Lindsey’s children live in Mobile, Alabama. Her mother’s death just after Christmas signaled to Martha-Lindsey a new season in her life. The family home is sold, and she will this week leave us to join her children and grandchildren in Mobile. We will all feel the loss of her presence.
Be sure to attend Sunday worship, where we will bless her into her new life and celebrate her at coffee hour.
Wishing you every blessing,
Mtr. TJ