NEWS FEATURE: Unable to go to church, the church comes to her

c. 1999 Religion News Service HUNTSVILLE, Ala. _ When Becky Farmer could no longer attend First Methodist Church of Huntsville, the church came to her.”What is significant to Becky,”said Mary Blundell, Becky’s mother,”is that she is a part of the group, she is a part of the church.” And they, Blundell said, wanted Becky to […]

c. 1999 Religion News Service

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. _ When Becky Farmer could no longer attend First Methodist Church of Huntsville, the church came to her.”What is significant to Becky,”said Mary Blundell, Becky’s mother,”is that she is a part of the group, she is a part of the church.” And they, Blundell said, wanted Becky to know she is surrounded by the ones who know her and love her.

Members of the church hold two meetings, one on Tuesday and one on Thursday, in Becky’s room _ adorned with the awards of her son, Randall, and graduation pictures of her daughter, Rebecca Lynn and a banner wishing her well fastened above her head.


Lying in bed, a ventilator providing her with oxygen, Becky listens to the prayers and conversation of her fellow church members.

Becky Farmer was diagnosed in 1986 with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. ALS is a neuromuscular disease marked by the degeneration of motor cells in the brain and spinal cord leading to severe impairment in mobility, speech and breathing. The mind remains largely unaffected by the disease.

By 1990, Becky was bedridden and could communicate only through special computer equipment. In the last two years she has lost even that ability and is now only able to answer questions by moving her eyes: If she looks at you, it means yes, away means no.

The Tuesday meeting is called a reunion group because the members at one time or another all participated in a “Walk to Emmaus” spiritual retreat, named after the road where Jesus, after his resurrection, met two disciples and was not recognized. Attendees are encouraged to continue to meet regularly in special Christian communities or reunion groups.

Although her disability prevented Becky from participating, Anne Bellis, a group member who graduated from Huntsville High School with Becky in 1966 said,”We decided that Becky would be an honorary member of our group.”

“(Becky) could answer the questions ahead of time and be included in the group,” said Kathie Barnett, another member.”Barnett is a hub,”said Blundell. “When she has gone on Emmaus walks, she has designated Becky to be a prayer angel and kept us busy at home with the schedule and prayers for the `pilgrims.'” The Rev. Coy Hallmark, associate pastor at First Methodist, gives the group communion on the third Tuesday of every month.”It is amazing to see a group stay so committed to one person,” Hallmark said.

When the disease took away Becky’s ability to communicate, the focus of the group changed. “Now we talk with Becky about make-up or fashion and keep her abreast of what is going on in the world,” Bellis said. “It is awesome to us how Becky has continued to be a part of our and other people’s lives,” Barnett added.


The group that meets on Thursday is a small prayer group of church members. Before Becky became bedridden, she attended a disciple or fellowship group at church. Now some members of the same group meet in her room.

“We enjoy each other for awhile and then we pray,” said Mary Reece, a regular at the prayer group, and Becky’s 10th grade Sunday school teacher. Alice Fay Linton, another regular, said any support received is a “joint effort” between Becky and the group.”I get a certain amount of energy and strength from Becky as I do from everyone else here,” said Linton.

The group meetings serve as an affirmation of Becky’s active status in the church.”She was a member and stays a member,”said Reece.

Group members don’t limit their visits to just the night of the meetings, and others also bring the church to Becky. Betty Peeler often visits and brings a copy of the church bulletin and William Hornbuckle has brought by cassettes of the church services. Dr. Bill Bostick, senior pastor at First Methodist, and his wife Penny, have been frequent visitors.

Blundell thinks the meetings and visits mean much more than just an expression of church activities.”These are the kinds of visits that don’t come to say just `We wish you could be well,'”she said. “These visits say, `You are as much with us as you always have been.'”

DEA END DAVIS

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