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by Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane, Editor
June/July 2005
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| Heather Mulvey of Once Upon A Prayer Christian Gift Shop conducts weekly story hours using Bible-based books. |
Heather and Bob Mulvey took a leap of faith when they opened a small Christian-based bookstore and gift shop in Tewksbury’s town center. Bob, an electrician by trade, and Heather, a stay-at-home mom with an early childhood background, had no retail experience when they opened “Once Upon A Prayer” last October. In addition to being active in their church, these parents of three young children had spent most of their days working, helping with homework, and shuttling the children to sports and after-school activities.
Bob, a deacon at the Tewksbury Congregational Church UCC, wanted to go into the ministry but didn’t have the resources, nor could he spare the time away from his family. Heather, formerly a nursery volunteer for Tewksbury Congregational, was also quite active in their church. Moreover, Bob wished he could work in a more Christian environment and reach out to the community in a spiritual way outside his church activities.
In an effort to learn more about his faith, he drove quite a distance to buy various Christian-based books. He and Heather often discussed the fact that there was no local retailer that provided the various Baptism gifts, or Christian items for the home, or specific faith-based books.
Last year, like many in the construction business, Bob got laid off from his job. Then, somehow, everything fell into place. While he was researching the sale of Christian books online, he saw there was also a need for Christian gifts. Coincidentally a retail space in the center of town, where various churches are located, became available.
“It was an act of faith and a lot of help from God and friends to help us build it,” says Heather. “We heard in our hearts there was a need in the community. We followed His direction and He has brought the people to us.”
Those people are followers of different faiths and have been down different roads. The store has become a Mecca for people to come together and discuss their beliefs and stories. Recently a Muslim-turned-Christian from the Needham area traveled to the store to see the books that were available. While there, he shared stories about people from his home town of Morocco who must share their Christian faith underground, meeting secretly in each other’s houses because they would be persecuted if found out.
Clergy from different faiths have ordered candles and bibles and book study aides. A Sunday School teacher from Connecticut sends her daughter monthly to purchase boxed religious cards. A South African pastor visits often to buy faith-based books. Educators have come in and ordered school program materials and specific gifts for the Confirmation students. Deacons doing prison ministry and members of Alcoholics Anonymous look over the daily prayer books. Even local firefighters stop by looking for angel statues to help watch over them. “The most enlightening thing is teenagers coming in and buying Christian
contemporary rock CDs,” says Heather.
“I am still surprised at how many true believers there are in this community.”
Every day there are people of different denominations stopping by to look over the gifts and books and experience the warm, welcoming environment. Every day there is an opportunity for Bob and Heather to share their faith with others. “We get a lot of people who don’t have a
specific faith but are here buying something. Maybe they will hear something from another customer that lifts them up.”
In an effort to share their faith more openly, Bob and Heather conduct free weekly Bible study groups and children’s story hours. “Many kids in that age group don’t get a formal Christian education until school age,” says Heather. “This way they leave with something – a story in their head, or a balloon or craft – that reminds them of Christ’s love.”
“It’s a way to tear down the walls that separate us,” says Bob. “We get to hear the different experiences of faith; it’s the one Christ and one God,” agrees Heather. “We have met so many people we wouldn’t have met who brought to us a deeper faith by sharing their stories.”
“So many people buy something and tell us to keep the change because they want us to stay here,” explains Heather. “We are not going to get rich monetarily off this store, but we will get an enriched faith, which is much more valuable.”
For more information about Once Upon A Prayer: call (978) 640-6252