This homily given by 2010 Ludtke Scholar, Ms. Taushia Mugge. To listen to the homily as it was recorded on June 6, 2010 click here.

St. Charles Episcopal Church - St. Charles, IL
Formation Sunday, June 6, 2010
Guest Speaker: Ms. Taushia Mugge, 2010 Ludtke Scholar

When I first heard that we were moving from Iowa to Chicago four years ago it was like my heart dropped. I couldn’t bear to leave my friends, school and especially my church. When we came to Chicago and heard about St. Charles Episcopal Church I was really nervous. The first time we went to the church it was the 10:45 service it felt just like our old service back home, , then we heard about the 9 o’clock service, and boy, was that different I don’t think that I have ever seen a congregation and the deacon and priest interact with the music as much as we do here at St. Charles Episcopal Church. Looking around and seeing people dance to the music and bringing out instrument for the little kids was a really big change to me. I didn’t know how to respond to it. And now to this day that is the service that my family and I attend on Sundays. I love how the congregation is involved with the service.

When we first moved here and heard that there was a youth group and that they go on all these different trips. My heart started pounding really fast. I was excited, but then also afraid. I was excited because my old church never did any of those things, but then I was afraid because I didn’t know what the youth group was going to be like. If the teachers were nice, or if there would cliques. Now four years later this is the best youth group I have ever been a part of. I have grown to know each individual whether that be because of mission trips or just hanging out, or seeing them in church. I have made a relationship with my teachers. They each have helped me become closer to God in ways that I didn’t even think were possible! For example the labyrinth walk or the meditating. I would never be this close with God if it weren’t for them.

St. Charles Episcopal Church has changed my life. It has opened my eyes to new things. Participating in the mission trip and pilgrimage was a big life changer for me. Going down to another state to help someone who was in need was the best feeling. I loved going down and seeing our projects that had to be done and starting them right away. Don’t get me wrong I loved helping build houses or paint or clean up things outside, but my all time favorite part of the mission trip was getting to know the individual that we were helping out. Just to hear their stories and showing them the Christ that was in each and every one of us. The best part was seeing their smile when we had finished our tasks for the day.

The pilgrimages also changed my life. These were different then the mission trips it wasn’t about helping others see Christ but helping you find Christ and making your faith stronger. When I went to Tennessee I became a lot closer to God than I have ever felt before. There were a lot of things that we did but the most amazing part was seeing Christ. I know this sounds weird right now but I saw Christ in Holly Parks on the pilgrimage. I was having a bad day and she came up to me and talked to me in a way that felt like Christ was right there next to me. It was the best feeling in the world and it also made my faith and relationship with Christ much stronger.

St. Charles Episcopal Church is like my family, you are so loving and inviting to anyone and everyone who walks through the door. I have never been a part of a more loving church. I would like to say thanks to Father Bill for always being there when I needed him as a priest and as a friend, to Deacon Liz for helping me become more involved with the church from reading sermons to acolyting. Thanks to Liz Ryan for everything that you have done for me from helping me out with my school problems to helping me out in church. You are such a wonderful women and I am blessed to call you my youth leader. To my youth leaders and youth group member you are all a major part of my life I have had the most amazing times down in the youth group and memories that will last forever, and lastly to the congregation. You guys play a major role in all of our lives without you guys we wouldn’t be able to go on mission trips or do half of the things that we do today. So thank you for being so generous. Thank you all for everything that you have done you guys have changed me in ways that words cannot describe.