Jim and Merry Beth Valiquett: Christ-Centered Lives

Jim and Merry Beth Valiquett's faith journeys were quite similar, yet different in several ways. Both grew up in Christ-centered homes, one a United Methodist and one a Roman Catholic.

Merry Beth's first recollection of her faith journey was as a child at church family picnics in Mt. Clemens, where her family and the Wright family picnicked on Sunday afternoons. She remembers many summers at Judson Collins Methodist Camp where her Methodist roots continued to be cultivated and nurtured. After college, when Merry Beth settled in the area, shopping for a church home was not necessary, as Dr. Wright was the Sr. Minister here at Birmingham First and it was wonderful to reconnect and reminisce. She raised her kids here and they were active participants in MYF, the choir, and her son Jon loved his experience as a Baldwin intern one summer. Yes, the opportunities were boundless and taking advantage of them was easy.

Merry Beth also has documentation that her great-great-grandfather's brother was a traveling preacher in the state of New York, after sailing to America in 1829, bringing with him his quarterly tickets and a desire to transfer from the Church of England and the Wesleyan Methodists to the Methodist Episcopal Church here in America. What a legacy her family has, knowing that one of its descendants was one of the first Methodists to serve in this country.

While Merry Beth was growing up on the east side, Jim was doing the same on the west side of Detroit. He grew up in a devout Catholic family and attended parochial schools through middle school. He had an aunt who was a Sister of St. Joseph and has a cousin who is a Jesuit Priest. Merry Beth remembers meeting and visiting his delightful aunt who seemed to really like her, but she told Jim that she was praying Merry Beth would someday convert.

Their faith journeys merged about twenty-four years ago when Merry Beth invited Jim to attend church with her, and he graciously accepted. He found the services to be uplifting, enjoyable, and meaningful. He continued to attend, and their relationship culminated in a beautiful wedding here with Dr. Ritter officiating. As their blended family (along with divided loyalties, as Merry Beth is a Wolverine and Jim is a Spartan) flourished, they continued to support the church with their time, talents, prayers, gifts, and service. Merry Beth enjoyed working in the Membership Office for ten years, with Ann Windley and then Mary Feldmeier. Jim and Merry Beth enjoyed hiking with Carl and Pat Price and learned that a sanctuary could also be in the magnificence of a natural setting at Acadia National Park in Maine or Glacier National Park in Montana.

Supporting and participating in the Missions Ministry has become something they both enjoy. Merry Beth remembers her first mission trip many years ago to Red Bird Mission in Kentucky led by Doug Vernon. More recently, they are co-chairs of the StreeThreads ministry which supports The NOAH Project in Detroit, and they also enjoy delivering boxes of food in the Pontiac area for Focus Hope. They both actively support the Rummage Sale, as it continues to support missions in so many diverse and wonderful ways. They have been privileged to attend three Annual Conferences and have learned so much about how the United Methodist Church works and strives to "do God's will." They have served on the Administrative Council, they enjoy serving as Ushers, and Jim is currently a member of the Endowment Board.

Like Merry Beth said a moment ago, the opportunities here are endless. There are so many ways to participate in the life of this church, here and now, but only because there were those who came before us and left us such a strong and powerful legacy of faith. What can we do to carry this legacy forward? One way is to prayerfully consider including the church in one's retirement plan and there are several ways to make this happen. Jim and Merry Beth made a specific bequest a few years ago but are planning on revisiting and revising their estate plan to make some changes in their overall bequest. What better way to say "Thank you" to all those who came before us, who provided us with such a special place to worship and serve, today and in the days, years, and generations to follow.