Eunice and I - Laura Williams

My mother, Eunice, and I moved from California in the fall of 1997, taking three weeks and covering 6000 miles to drive across country. That was our big adventure to start a new life after my divorce.

As we made the decision to move, there were several factors to determine the location, and Wilmington fit the bill, having a university, medical facilities, proximity to the coast, and several Episcopal churches to choose from. I wrote to all of them, but in the three years it took to sell my house, things changed. After we arrived and got our bearings, we began our search. We visited St. James, Holy Trinity, St Johns, and St Andrews on the Sound.

Then I read an article about a church near the university. It sounded appealing and I said to Mom, “Let’s try it.” So, on a Sunday in December 1997, we went to see what Church of the Servant was all about.

When we walked in, we were warmly greeted by short, shy Mary Davis and tall, gregarious Ed Blake. Mary handed us the bulletin with her sweet smile, and Ed held out his hand to shake, saying, “Hi, I’m Ed Blake. I’m getting married today.”

Little did we know that he meant in the Sunday service! Joe Cooper led the service which incorporated Ed’s and Rebecca’s wedding, and then he invited other couples to join in to renew their own marriage vows. It was unique and warm, and we were hooked.

After the service, several people spoke to us and I remember Janet Autry telling us about the fairly new sanctuary and some of the art work, including the LeCompte mosaic.

After a few more Sundays, we felt like we’d found a church home, and the Epiphany dinner the following January sealed the deal. Where else would you find dinner, dancing and singing wise men in the worship space?