Edra's Loving Prayer Service by Elizabeth Gilbert

Every Sunday, while we attend services in the sumptuous and soothing interior of the sanctuary, there is also worship happening upstairs, on the linoleum, toy-strewn floors of the Blue Room. Edra Mercer and Claire Flury lead the babies, the parent helpers, and a few dozen plastic circus animals in a moving, living exercise of prayer.

How many times have I seen Edra rock a crying child to and fro in her arms, standing, swaying with her whole self and murmuring "hush, hush, hush" in a voice as comforting as a well-worn blanket. How many Cheerios has Edra swept off the floor, how many fireman's hats has she worn, how many books has she gently read to a nervous, shy toddler, inviting him onto her lap as she sits on the floor?

Every act of Edra's exudes love.

One Sunday when I was a parent helper up there, a little baby could not be consoled. I tried, another parent tried, but it was obvious after about ten minutes that this was a case for Edra. She stuck him to her shoulder and went around the room attending to all the children in a quiet way, with her one free hand. The baby kept crying, and we all exchanged uncomfortable, empathetic smiles. Edra kept walking, the baby fell asleep and stayed on her shoulder until his parents came through the door. "He was a little unhappy," she said to them.

Edra has provided me with some wonderful biographical information; here are some excerpts from that account:

Edra was born and grew up on a farm in Newtonville—in Nova Scotia—The farm is one of the most beautiful spots on earth, with wooded areas, vernal ponds, orchards of every fruit, berry and flower, along with a distant view of Cape Blomidon, the Bay of Fundy and Minas Basin.

Each season had its own tasks—Though working from morn to night, Edra's parents were avid readers and none of the eight children ever escaped doing the last bit of homework as they all gathered with books and papers around the dining table after supper.

Though Dad was a professed atheist and mother raised no objection, they did have a weekly or biweekly Sabbath day when Dad cooked a dinner breakfast then could not be roused from reading for the rest of the day and Mother usually was busy, perhaps making the children's clothes from flour bags—rug hooking—quilt making, knitting, playing her organ, or reading. The children would explore the brooks, ponds, trails through the woods, look for animals—or in winter go coasting on the hills. Edra loved to see bird's nests and draw pictures of the many varieties of birds. Several children carefully shared one box of crayons, but clear paper was a luxury, so Edra drew over newspapers or other print and made paper dolls from brown bags.

Edra met her husband, James Mercer, on a blind date while studying art in Montreal—when her roommate from Brookline, Mass., had a visit from a friend from home who came with his friend. Edra was very annoyed that her roommate had volunteered her to complete the "double date" for the evening. Edra and James were married two years later in Kentville, Nova Scotia.

One of Edra's favorite hobbies has been traveling and though she has ventured with her five children worldwide, she is happy that her children all live nearby with the farthest away in Timonium, Maryland.

That's Edra on Edra. In addition, you would be interested to know that Edra has long had an interest in educational philosophy and child development especially with an open structure/constructivist perspective. At the school where she has worked enthusiastically for twenty years, the students have been exposed to gardening, chicken and duck hatching, cocoons, horseback riding, maple tree tapping and sugar making, soap making—mountain climbing, free expressive art and a myriad of other fascinating adventures. Her current interest is in pursuing advanced education in interpersonal and international understanding with peaceful conflict resolution.

We are so lucky she found her way from the one of the most beautiful spots on earth to Old South Church. If you have not met her, come to the Blue Room and say hello. While you're at it, volunteer to help with the infants and toddlers, and you will see Christ's love in action, manifested by this beautiful and remarkable person. You will not be missing worship that day. +