“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another”
(John 13:35).

Today’s blog post is more personal. The focus of this space may be to celebrate Howard Memorial’s 150 years of faithful witness in Tarboro, but my view is very much that of a newcomer and the unique role of pastor’s spouse.

When Rebekah and I started this adventure (her first call was in 1982) there was no such thing as a “Preacher’s Husband.” There were many expectations in place for preachers’ wives - both reasonable and not so much - but nobody knew what to do with me!

Rebekah’s mother, who had a lifetime of experience, gave me great advice: “Take care of the following and you will be fine,” she said. “Love the Lord. Love the preacher. Love the church.”

Love is, first and foremost, a choice. One gift Rebekah and I have always given the place where we live is to love it. We don’t wait to see if we love it, we show up choosing to love. Pensacola; Brandon; Wake Forest; Tarboro.

This is also the best advice we give younger ministers. “If you love a church from the first day, they will love you back. If you love a community from the moment you show up, that community - those good people - will love you back.”

Howard Memorial Presbyterian Church must be on the same page! This congregation did not hold back to see if we were going to be lovable! You have opened your hearts and loved us, generously, from the get-go.

It is obvious that this church loves the community too. There is a deep affection that runs both ways, and Tarboro is not just a town with a Presbyterian Church, it is a community with a Presbyterian Heart!

So here we are, 2024: not just 150 years of church but 150 years of intentional love. “This is how Tarboro is going to know that you are my disciples!” Jesus says. “When they see how much you love one another.”

In love, and because of love - Derek Maul