“It was the end of the Chapel Choir Tour, the Homecoming Concert at church, my last solo as a senior,” said Christianna Mariano. “I remember the lyrics like it was yesterday — can the hand of God, can the voice of love, find me even here? The lyrics at the time symbolized a real question for me. I was preparing to go to college far away from home to a place where I knew no one and had been only once before.” Christianna was excited about college and going somewhere new, but part of her wondered if the hand of God and the voice of love would find me even there.
For Christianna, Shallowford Presbyterian Church in Atlanta is a vital community, not only of friends but also of a wide array of people who opened their arms and hearts to her from the time her family joined when she was a child. Each experience lay down another brick in the foundation of her faith. She felt inspired and supported in Chapel Choir, Youth Group, Confirmation Class, Small Groups, Choir Tour, and even during her transition to college and beyond.
“After generations of my family being involved with church choirs, and after my own experience at SPC, I believe that music is medicine, sacred medicine for the soul. It soothes us in times of strife, and enlivens us in expressions of joy, praise and gratitude. To this day, there are songs my family learned at Shallowford that we cherish singing together.”
Although Christianna now lives in Brooklyn, New York, she still feels incredibly connected to Shallowford. People keep up with her through her parents, Massimo and Rachel, and welcome her home when she visits. It’s a testament to the enduring power of the community at Shallowford.
“Through the culmination of faith-building experiences, life-affirming connections, a robust supply of songs in my heart, and the constant support of my SPC family, I can confidently say, ‘Yes, indeed! The hand of God and the voice of love finds me here and absolutely anywhere I may go.’”
Shallowford Presbyterian Church, Atlanta
Let us join in prayer for:
Michael Marrone, Vice President, Strategic Initiatives, Strategic Planning, The Board of Pensions
Rhonda Martin, Financial Manager, Presbyterian Women
Let us pray:
In life and in death, and in all the circumstances of life, we belong to God and we belong to each other. Thanks be to God for these blessed connections Amen.
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