The late Carla Anderson became a member of the Water Bearers Society with her recent bequest to the church. This month the society This month asked Rosie Anderson-Harper why her family decided to contribute a legacy gift in honor of her mother, for which our church family is deeply grateful.

Carla was a long-time church member whose faith and dedication was a blessing to our congregation for decades. Carla and her husban, Wayne Anderson first became part of the organization when it was still operating as a fellowship and located on the campus of the University of Missouri during its early years.

Both Carla and Wayne were professional psychologists, and they brought their deep understanding of people, relationships and learning into every part of their involvement in the church. From the beginning, they were active participants in church life, contributing their time, energy and wisdom to help the fellowship grow and flourish. Their work in the Forum Group – where they prepared and led countless topical sessions – left a lasting impression on all who attended.

The Andersons had a gift for blending insight with humor and storytelling, often weaving laughter into lessons that challenged and uplifted at the same time. Many remember how their sessions echoed the spirit of Garrison Keillor’s Lake Wobegon when they worked in the show’s catch phrase – “Where all the women are strong, all the men are good-looking, and all the children are above average” – into their presentations.

Together, Carla and Wayne raised four daughters, who grew up surrounded by the warmth and fellowship of this church community. The donation given in Carla’s name was made because the church was such a central and cherished part of their family’s life, shaping their faith, friendships and sense of purpose across generations. The church we attend today stands as a heartfelt tribute to Carla’s legacy and love for her church family.

In order to explore how your legacy gift can become a reality, please speak with someone in the Water Bearers Society or see the information about planned-giving that is available here.