Rush and Sarah Cowherd were high school sweethearts at Orange County High school. Rush was born in Gordonsville  and Sarah was born in the big city of Orange. They were married in 1954 and had three girls, Anna, Jane and Sara. Rush worked for the IRS and Sarah ran the household with three little ones occupying her days. After their marriage in 1954, ther young family with three girls moved from Charlottesville to Richmond. 

One Sunday they discovered a group of people meeting at Ridge elementary school. This young family felt welcomed and quickly joined the congregation -Three Chopt Presbyterian. Rush served as an Elder, Trustee, Clerk of the Session, unofficial painter, etc. to name a few roles. Rush knew every face coming through the doors. He was the “Google” of this time as he could tell you anything you needed to know about members, finances, etc.  Sarah taught Sunday School, attended Bible Studies, provided a taxi service for the girls to youth activities, etc. TCPC has always been a center point of the Cowherd family. This was/is their extended family. Rush and Sarah’s commitment and love for its people and ministry continues to this day. Through the challenges and joys of both the church’s and their lives the TCPC family has been an anchor.

This week we listen together to the story of long serving member John Ballsrud. John and his wife Bonnie came to the church and experienced a special kind of family connection as they started their own family journey together. It's a joy to listen together to their journey here, and the way that God has inspired John to leadership in the church.

Karen and her family have been at the church since the late 90s, and today we listen as Karen shares her story of finding her "port" along the river with the Three Chopt Family. Also, we hear how she came to be the lead volunteer of the food pantry, and how the stories of clients and members alike are all searching for that place called "home."

Stacy came to the church through Promises Preschool, and in a season of life which met them with the unimaginable hurt of losing a child. We are priveledged to listen and to be changed by her story of church, and the new family that was found there.

To begin our new series which recounts stories from our church family we are talking together with Helen Salita. She is currently serving as a Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) with the PCUSA Mission Agency and is living and working in Scotland. A graduate of Mary Washington, she has served for two years in the advocacy department of Sojourners Magazine in DC. We are so glad to bear witness to Helen's great passion and calling!

For our last podcast in the series we are taking some of the elements of Easter with us throughout the rest of the year. No matter what the year will bring we know that we are standing on the solid foundation and power of Jesus Christ.