Before they said “I do” Katie Kilch and Kyle knew they wanted to find their own church. “It was how we wanted to start our marriage,” Katie says. When they visited Shallowford, they couldn’t just slip in and slip out at worship. Someone noticed them and engaged in conversation. They decided that Shallowford was their church.
On joining, they were invited to get involved right away. The senior pastor was very interested in starting a young adult ministry. He asked Katie and Kyle to take a leading role. The resulting group has met monthly since 2012!
In the ensuing twelve years, Katie’s life has changed. She and Kyle now have three young girls. “My life is more chaotic. It’s all about the kids. Just getting to church and schlepping all their stuff is an effort.”
The wonderful thing is that the young adult group has also changed. Now it is “The Nest,” mostly parents of young families. In The Nest, Katie has found the community at church that she knew she wanted when she joined Shallowford. The group gives members the grace to meet each other where they are. At this life stage raising a family and earning a living consumes a lot of energy. The Nest members acknowledge that, and gratefully enjoy their monthly fellowship in whatever form they can manage.
Deep theological study will wait for another time. For now, Katie feels nurtured in a space that has grown with her through time. She recognizes that being in community with friends of faith is a most valuable gift.
Katie says, “It is rare these days to choose to raise children in the church.” She wants others who have made that choice to experience the support and fellowship of “The Nest.”
