A SAFE SPACE OF WELCOMING GRACE

Kate Baskwell is a mom of two boys who grew up in Beaufort. For several years, she was a Physical Therapy Assistant, working with patients from age one to one hundred. Now she works with teens at Battery Creek High School, as a teacher in the Health Science Technology department.

Kate came to St. John’s looking for a safe space. As a single, divorced mother she hoped to find a congregation where she could raise her sons in an atmosphere free of the judgment she had experienced in other faith communities. As an LGBTQ ally, with loved ones in that community, she wanted a congregation that was open and welcoming. Seeing the impact of racism in our community, she wanted a congregation with a diverse membership. She was searching for a church focused not on reprimanding people for breaking rules, but on helping people grow through God’s love.

At St. John’s, Kate heard sermons from Pastor Craig and Pastor Shannon that wrestled with difficult subjects, but were rooted in grace. She heard that for God, faith is not so much about rules, as about relationships. And from day one, her family felt accepted. When her elementary aged boys were squirmy during Deacon Katie’s children’s message, member Perry Dukes reassured her, “It’s fine, everyone’s kids wiggle. We are glad to have your children here.”

Finding a church that welcomed her and her boys – “even if we are a hot mess” – convinced Kate that St. John’s was the place for her family. “As a teacher, the weekend is a time for a needed reset. St. John’s reminds me that as I go back for the next week, I can be a teacher guided by grace, by Jesus’ call to love.” She loves that her congregation has opened conversation with her boys about faith and love.