First Church

a place to belong

Fern Twitchell was born on a farm three miles southeast of Bates City, Missouri.  She describes her parents, Frank and Bessie Brown as wonderful but very strict parents.  She learned early on the meaning of obedience.  She grew up with an older brother and two cousins who were like sisters to her.  Her sister Jola, who lived in Indiana recently passed away.  Fern lives at John Knox Village in Lee's Summit, Missouri.

Fern's lifelong dream before she even started school was to be an elementary school teacher.  Her dream was fully realized with a total of 31 teaching years.  She started her study at Central College in 1931 and finished it in 1944.  She got married in October of 1943 and her only daughter Betty was born in January of 1945.

I asked Fern this timely and valued question.  Why do we need the church or the idea of a church?  She responded by saying just imagine not having one.  She further explained, "In every aspect of life starting with the family, community, government, etc. there needs to be a "head" to keep things organized and focussed in order to reach a goal and a distination.  Without that, life falls into an aimless direction.  This is true with the most important component of our lives - the church and our spirituality.  The church provides that home where everyone can come together as a family and feel the presence of our Heavenly Father and know He is there in our midst guiding our lives."

Fern's message to us in one word is commitment.  She used Webster's definition of the term as a pledge to do something.  The meaning of the term was taught to her at a very impressionable age.  She recalled that her parents were very involved with the church both financially and spiritually.  Unfortuante financial circumstances occurred and the family budget had to be reorganized.  The first item to be deleted was their commitment to the church.  Soon their father became ill and from then on never enjoyed a well day the rest of his life.  Her mother believed and told Fern many times that if their commitment to the church had been kept all else would eventually have turned out as it should have.  In her very own words she said, commitment plays an important aspect of one's life.  Make a promise to God - keep it.

 

Fern Twitchell - Testimony