Michele Guasto (Marie)

Karen and I were in the same communion class at Broadway Covenant Church. We were both rather shy at that age & outsiders at church. After 2 years of Saturday confirmation classes we were moved to join the adult congregation service. We were both church orphans since our fathers were Catholic (excommunicated) and our mothers chose for us to attend this church yet they never attended with us. We were quite alone when our adult member relatives didn't take us under their wing as we had hoped. We sat together as sisters to get through. Karen was easy going, with a quick smile & compassionate. I was less so & felt hurt by the years of neglect of family at church. Karen & I were to partake of our first communion as adults that day. I whispered to her that I could not in good conscience confesss my sins which amounted to dancing as often as possible, enjoying 1/2 a glass of wine on Sundays with my parents, and swearing which I quite enjoyed on occasion. I could not understand the "sin" in them if not meant to harm another. Karen stood with me as other parishioners crawled  by us to take their place in line. I never went back for the church was not accvepting of my values & circumstances. My search for a spiritual home continued.

After contacting Karen many years later to thank her for her act of courage & friendship on my behalf on a life changing day for me, I learned she had an aggressive form of cancer. We kept in touch & last Christmas she was quite hopeful. She was surrounded by her sons & grandchildren and was very content with her life. Bless you Karen. You were my ideal -- a true Christian friend my age who understood my need to move on.

Michele Guasto (Marie)

Karen and I were in the same communion class at Broadway Covenant Church. We were both shy & outsiders.  I am an only child & thought she was since I found her alone in church often. After 2 years of Saturday confirmation classes we joined the adult service. We were church orphans since our fathers were Catholic (excommunicated) and our mothers chose for us to go to this "family" church yet our moms never attended with us. We became more alone after confirmation when our adult relatives in the congregation didn't take us under their wings as we had hoped. We sat together as sisters to get through. Karen was easy going, quiet & deeply compassionate. I was more serious and hurt by the years of neglect of family at church.

Karen & I were to partake of our first communion the Sunday after we were confirmed.  I whispered to her that I could not confesss as sins things I did and intended to continue which the church held as wrong: dancing as often as possible, playing cards, including poker for pennies; sneaking a few puffs off an older friends cigarette on rare occasions; using a swear word in private. I could not understand the "sin" in them if not harming self or another. Karen stood with me as other parishioners crawled by us to take their place in the middle aisle line. They filed back past us on their way back to their seats. We sang a few hymns.

I never went back.  This church was not accvepting of my values & showed no empathy regarding my inter-religious circumstances. My search for a spiritual home continued. 

After contacting Karen many years later to thank her for her act of courage & friendship on my behalf on a life changing day for me, I learned she had an aggressive form of cancer. We kept in touch & last Christmas she was quite hopeful. She was surrounded by her sons & grandchildren and was very content with her life.

Bless you Karen. You were my ideal -- a true Christian friend my age who understood my need to move on. One who stood by me when it was difficult and when all eyes were on us for not doing what was expected of us. Courage and dignity were yours even from a very young age.