I Thought I Had it All
-Mike Starr

I was raised as an only child with my father in the military, so we moved around a lot. I pretty much kept to myself and was quiet growing up. My family did not get out to church very often, so I did not know a whole lot about spiritual things. What little I knew came from my mother, and she basically said I just needed to believe in God.

My Pilgrimage from Ritual to Relationship
-Gerry Seltzer

My name is Gerry Seltzer, and this is my story. When I think about my religious or spiritual experience during the first 45 years of my life, it would be most accurately described by words such as rituals, rules and regulations.

I Was Just Playing Church
-Amy Rupert

Growing up in a loving family, I had a very happy childhood. I have many wonderful memories of spending time together with my parents and a younger sister and brother. My memories also included our weekly attendance and active involvement in our church, the United Church of Christ in Berwick, PA. After graduating from high school, I remained faithful in church, but allowed the sinful nature with which we are all born, (Romans 3:10,23) to control my life.

I Was a Good Girl,
Headed for a Bad Place
-Elizabeth Roy

When I was sixteen I was considered a “good girl.” I had attended the Presbyterian Church from the time I could walk; I was baptized as an infant, I was an active church member, I obeyed my parents and did well in school. And, just to make sure—I made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ. I viewed it as an insurance policy just in case “being good” wasn’t enough.

There Is Nothing I Could Do to Get Myself into Heaven
-Sheri Reiss

While growing up, I went to church every Sunday. My grandfather made sure of that, since I would stay with him because my mother worked. I went every weekend, until the summer I turned 16 years old and got a job. I would still go to church every Sunday that I didn’t have to work.

I Didn’t Know Where I Stood with God
-Ed Reiss

As far back in my life as I can remember, I always went to a United Church of Christ every Sunday. As a young child, I had some bizarre ideas about God and my relationship with Him. As I got older, the ideas didn’t change much. Although I attended both Sunday school and church, and was confirmed as a teenager, I never learned the teachings of the Bible, nor did I have the desire to learn them.