BETWEEN THE LINES: BACK-TO-BASICS CHURCH IN RURAL ARKANSAS ALIVE AND WELL

Although it sits at the intersection of two dusty gravel roads surrounded by farm fields, the church I attended Sunday isn't one that has only been preserved for history's sake.

It was just as alive and well as when it was founded nearly 85 or more years ago. And people from all around packed the pews Sunday for a homecoming service.

As a religion reporter for the newspaper, I enjoy going to different churches and meeting new people.

It gives me a better feel for what's going on in the community and the religious world as well. Over the past several months, I've been trying to visit churches and meet pastors from different denominations.

Although everyone worships the same God, they tend to do so differently. And our differences make us unique and more interesting. But the greatest compliment to the religious community is seeing churches of all denominations work together.

But the church I attended Sunday wasn't affiliated with any one denomination and it wasn't in Southeast Missouri. It was in northeast Arkansas, where my great-aunt Dinah lives.

Relatives I had never met or didn't even know about had gathered for the homecoming celebration at this little country church.

It was once a vital part of the Richwoods community, as most country churches were and many still are.

There are plenty of rural churches around this area and many still have congregations that meet for worship.

But the Richwoods church isn't part of a community any longer. All the family farms are gone and only plowed fields remain.

Despite all this, there was nothing that prevented this church from continuing to meet. The building may look worn and tired, but the congregation isn't.

I learned that members of my family have been attending this church for years.

My earliest memories of the church are attending service with my mother and her Aunt Dinah.

Ever since I was a child, I have loved visiting my Aunt Dinah, especially when it meant we got to go to church with her on Sunday. It was always so much different than attending church at home.

And Dinah always played the piano without looking at a book, which I thought was amazing. (I still think she's one of the best piano players around.) There were plenty of talented musicians and singers around Sunday.

I've been attending church since I was about two weeks old, but few times have been as much fun as this Sunday.

Although it was a special service and celebration for the Richwoods church, this was just a plain old service.

There were no frills. No big instruments and bands, no overhead projectors, ceiling microphones or even bulletins.

It was a worship service, plain and simple. With plenty of singing and preaching.

It was the basics of religion and worship. The preacher opened his Bible and offered instruction.

No one squabbled over denominational differences or which biblical translation was best. While working for a denominational newspaper in Florida, I learned a lot about the business and political side of denominations. It's somewhat disheartening to learn about, but it was encouraging to "get back to the basics" on Sunday.

These people just gathered to have a good time and worship together. It's a shame every Sunday can't be that way.

~Laura Johnston is a copy editor for the Southeast Missourian.