Abundance: Kelsey & Calvin's Abiding Story
Kelsey and Calvin Hunt, along with their two daughters, are regular worshippers at Abiding Presence and have made weekly church activities a part of their family life. Some people may not know that Kelsey was baptized here as a baby and grew up attending church with her family. “As part of the puppet ministry and choir with Ms. Lori I did everything Abiding Presence had to offer,” Kelsey shared. She recalled, “Through youth service trips, synod events, and nationwide youth gatherings we created lasting relationships with fellow youth.”
Calvin’s faith had been a big part of his family traditions as well. “Once Kelsey and I were seriously looking toward marriage and a family we knew faith would play an important role in our lives,” he shared. They met with Pastor Meredith for pre-marital counseling and Calvin fondly recalled, “Pastor Meredith is so great she married us twice!” The Hunt’s held a safely-distanced wedding during Covid in Kelsey’s parent’s backyard on their original date and again a year later with a big in-person party. Pastor Meredith has baptized their two daughters and Ms. Lori is their toddler’s Sunday School teacher. Calvin said, “She loves seeing her friends, the music, coloring, and reading books every Sunday.”
Kelsey described Abiding Presence today as a place of abundance. She shared, “Everywhere you turn there is an abundance of opportunity, children, and space to dream up big ideas.” Recalling the recent support of Federal Workers affected by the government shutdown she said, “People have come out in droves to fulfill the ideas we’re doing to support the community with an abundance of giving.” As a parent of two young children she said, “There hasn't been a lot of hope in the world lately and I look at the things we do across the congregation and it feels hopeful.” She said, “My kids are growing up in a community that loves them and accepts them for who they are and they can be God’s hands and feet out in the world.” Kelsey then asked her toddler what she had shared at daycare that day to which she exclaimed, “Jesus is everywhere with us!” Kelsey said, “Even though she’s 3 it gives me hope that she has that strong foundation, the same foundation that carried Calvin and I into adulthood.”
Kelsey has experienced more intentional conversations with fellow adults at The Abiding Table on Sunday mornings and shared, "It feels so diverse because we attract people from different walks of life.” She said, “This is a place where you can truly show up as whoever you are and you’re accepted and loved for whatever that looks like.” She especially knows how intimidating it can be as a family with young children but she encourages others saying, “Show up as you are and you will always be accepted here.” When looking to the future, Calvin said, “I see that Abiding Presence has strong faith formation for kids and adults and we do such a great job showing that in practice in the world.” He shared, “We get to experience the true reflection of our faith in practice as a vibrant and lively church in how we welcome people into worship, how we welcome people into other parts of the ministry we do, and how we go out into the world to serve others.” Kelsey added, “We are doing God’s work in the world in a very active way.”