The Faith of Our Fathers
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When he had finished dusting the pews, Stan checked around the sanctuary to make sure it looked tidy. Then he remembered seeing a cobweb on the edge of one of the windows near his seat…As he was dusting the window sill, he noticed faded, barely legible writing at the bottom , printed in the glass; “In Memory of Thomas C. Mitchell.” He had seen that name on one of the headstones behind the church many times…Suddenly, the lights in the sanctuary seemed to dim. Stan reacted by looking up at the chandelier, wondering if there had been a partial power outage. The light coming from the chandelier was dimmer than usual, but for another reason. Instead of light bulbs, Stan could see that there were now twelve flickering gas lights in their place. The ornate brass was polished and shining, and every crystal looked sparking new—none were missing. Fear and confusion struck him as he looked around the sanctuary and saw that everything had changed…Before he could have another thought, he heard a rustling sound, and suddenly became aware of the presence of someone lurking behind him. Startled, he turned to see an older gentleman standing only a few feet away. The man was holding a black derby hat and leaning on a walking stick. He was oddly dressed in a long, black frock coat and striped trousers, and wore a coal-gray cravat around the collar of his starched white shirt. His long graying moustache and sideburns hid a gentle smile as he patiently waited for Stanley to calm himself. The stranger appeared to Stan as if he were a picture come to life from a history book about the post-Civil War era. “Who…who are you? Stan asked, struggling to find his voice. The stranger’s facial expression was serene but a look of concern was in his eyes as he met Stan’s frightened stare. “My name is Thomas C. Mitchell.”
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About the Book
The Craigsfield Community Church stands amid the scenic hills just outside of a small Vermont town. It has been a source of history, beauty, and nostalgia to area residents for over a century. To passersby, the church appears to have changed little over the years. But if one could look beyond the white clapboard exterior and through the ornate stained glass windows, he or she would see the real changes that have occurred over time—those that lay hidden in the hearts and lives of the church members.
Alone with his thoughts as he worked at the church one Sunday afternoon, lifelong member and caretaker, Stan Williams, has a startling encounter with an unusual stranger. The visitor reveals important information to him about the history of the church, along with a warning about the direction the church is now taking. Stan is shone evidence of the strong moral convictions once held by the founding members, along with their vision for the church, all of which have been forgotten over the years by its congregation. His remarkable experience becomes the catalyst for a chain of events that could greatly impact his future and the future of the church. He will soon find, however, that there are challenges and obstacles to be faced as he reveals what he had learned to the congregation. In time Stan will also come to discover other important information about his own ancestry.
About the Author
Jan Mueller’s experiences growing up in a small, traditional protestant church helped her to form the basis for this story. She serves as a Sunday school teacher and church soloist and enjoys writing poetry and stories, as well as having written and directed several plays at her church. Jan and her husband are the proud parents of four grown sons and reside in upstate New York.