In August 2007, we celebrated the fifty years that God has given us. As many as 500 of us - old friends, longtime members and newcomers - crowded into the Meetinghouse to celebrate, remember, and retell the story.

Below, Jubilee attendees reflect on what the celebration meant to them.

See the photos page to find out where you can see photos of this event.

Reflections on the 50th

Michele Lazar, 1976-98

I am really grateful for the weekend. I was so deeply struck by the tenacious perseverance and continuity of LIFE. Like a flower pushing up through a crack in the sidewalk, or like the "grass that grows through the crack" referred to in the song by Malvina Reynolds and sung by Pete Seeger (yes, I am an old hippie at heart!) I feel it has been such a privilege to be part of this piece of the unfolding of LIFE!

Marcia Lind, 1971-80 & 1982-87:

It truly was a wonderful weekend. Saturday night was a highlight and remarkable in recreating a favorite multi-media experience. I loved participating in The Creation... again. Rich and deep. Jim and Robert made it happen. Thank you. Loved Nancy's "Come Let Us Sing" at the end! That song was small tribute to the remarkable creation of new songs by numerous members during those lush years at RPF... some of whom were there -- Nancy, Anne G., Judy, Lucy, Lois, Sarah, Penny... And in that large gathered group lives on the collective ability to sing 4-part a capella music. In all the singing we did on the weekend, we barely tasted from the repertoire of RPF's rich singing history.

It was a wonderful weekend for me to return as the person I am now. I experienced absolutely none of the pain and anguish from my experience at RPF, particularly with a certain elder whom I felt irreparably damaged my marriage. What I believed to be irreparable damage to that and to my own life has been investigated internally and resolved within myself so that I nary had a twinge of reaction during the weekend, not even while talking with the person himself. It is my gift to myself to experience the freedom and love I feel for myself and others in a space of old. Wondrous to be that and to share it in that space.

I came to be with people, connect, have fun, and celebrate with music and dance. That is exactly what happened. The gladness still sings in me.

Brigitte Krummel:

It was just great and wonderful! All of it!

Over the last years I often was sad and troubled when I thought of Reba Place Fellowship and Church. I didn't know if the Community would be able to survive even with all the effort that was put forth. I felt you tried to nurture a sick child. This weekend I saw that this - in my mind - sick child has grown strong and healthy and shows a lot of energy. That made me so happy. This reminded me of my own experience with my family. Long ago I was a mother raising my two girls. They, as children, adjusted to the moves I made and trusted me. When they grew up and started their own family, it became clear to us that we three were in transition to something new and unknown, and it was anxiety producing for all of us. We knew that what we once had was over and we were afraid that the new would not be as good. Now in looking back I see that in fact our life with each other had changed, but it was still so very good and what I had to learn was that I needed to adjust. I, the mother, had to adjust to my daughters chosen lives. I had to adjust to the new constellations. It became clear that they still wanted, needed me in some ways and that they had built their new life on the foundation and strengths of what had been established in their growing-up years between us. I think I am a resource for certain things, a secure, warm haven, to some extent a protective shield. For me they have become a window to this unknown fast changing world. They give me love and the security that I will not be left behind in this technological expansion.

That's what I see has happened to Reba. The "old" folks could give up control, adjust, and were open to the new. I truly congratulate you for being able to do that. It must have been very hard. But with doing so you opened the door for Reba to continue. You are a precious gift for the "new" folks. They have the benefit to have you oldies around as a resource and to nurture them. I am so, so happy not only for you, but also for me. You are still strong followers of God's leadership.

Mark Nielsen, 1987 - present:

I've spent several weeks processing the celebration, talking with current church members, and some who have left. So far I have posted three straight weblog entries on the subject, with another on the way.

For those who wish to review those thoughts, see the link below. I myself came in 1987... so it's a minor anniversary for me this year as well. Hope you enjoy these reflections. Mark's blog

John C. Thomson, 1978-present
I first heard of Reba Place Fellowship in 1975. That was the year that Mary moved to Evanston from her home in Springfield, Mo. to be a part of Reba Place. For the next two and a half years while I was still in prison, Mary would tell me of what was happening through letters and my occasional reverse-the-charges phone calls. I never considered that I would move there when I was eventually released. I also factored in the likely probability that Mary would meet some fine Christian gentleman and I'd hear of an impending wedding. That never came.

When in fact I did arrive at Reba on a Friday the 13th night in January of 1978 there was no certainty that I would even make it, let alone do so here at Reba. My history suggested that I had trouble lasting 30 days before being reincarcerated. Maurine Chesley and Judy Kalina (nee Hullings) made it a point to tell me "even if you don't make it, the door is always open. Even if you should end up back in prison we will still love you." That went a long way in easing the tensions I felt in assimilating back into society - a society I never had very good luck fitting into anyway.

Fortunately for me, I have had reunions along the way. At the 15 year mark I had a celebration that brought back the entire household and many other friends as well. Again, at the 25 year anniversary we had another celebration. So for the 50th, while many in my small group were unable to attend, I was freed up to participate in working incredibly hard at seeing everyone got back and forth to the airport. The worship times of Friday and Saturday night were very moving in a spiritual sense.

I came wondering if I'd last 30 days; it has turned into 30 years. I found my wife here, my kids were born here, and many of my marketable skills came as a result of such men as Bill Berry, Nevin Belser and Jeremy Males giving me opportunities for employment. It's been a good run and now time to close this chapter in my life and move on. As I mentioned in a previous e-mail to someone "I am unequivocally the most blessed person to ever have entered Reba's doors and I will be forever blessed."