When did you first come to Mt. Tabor and what brought you here? “First, a little about ourselves: Alisa comes from a long line of Presbyterians with grandparents who were medical missionaries to both China and Kenya, and parents who were elders, clerks of session and even instrumental leaders in a new church development in Indiana. Jeff on the other hand was raised with very little time going to church but came to it while ‘courting’ Alisa. After nearly 25 years of marriage, job changes, life challenges and two fantastic children, we find ourselves in Oregon at a wonderful church called Mt. Tabor Presbyterian. We’ve now been attending regularly for about 2 years, and will soon be attending inquiry class in the interest of becoming members of Mt. Tabor.”

What is it about the church that makes you want to continue to attend and be involved? “The Coffee House service was what drew us into Mt. Tabor. It truly has grown to be a ‘family’ atmosphere for us where everyone recognizes everyone else, and newcomers are greeted with open arms – literally with a ‘required’ hug from Christine, which we’ve grown to cherish every Sunday.”

What does sharing gifts of time, talent, and treasure mean to you?
“It’s always meant giving what you can, when you can. It has always meant ‘time and talents’ not just ‘treasure’. If budgets are tight, we give time. If budgets are better, we tithe better. There is always some thing or some way we can give as a ‘family’ of worshipers.”

Is there anything else you would like to share? “Kudos to Carley and what she’s been able to craft as leader of the coffee house service. She has a true knack for blending both scripture and ‘spiritual’ contemporary teaching seamlessly. This generates insightful and applicable conversation and debate we as a congregation can apply to our weekly lives. There is no ‘judgment’, no politics [to speak of] and no pressure when our personal lives intervene and we end up missing service for weeks at a time. Our returns have always been met with “glad you are back”…nothing more, nothing less. We pick up where we left off. Mt. Tabor Presbyterian is a place that always greets us like a dear old friend.”

Jeff, Alisa, Colin & Morgan Brummer