The Little Brown Church in the Vale

The Little Brown Church in the Vale

From Grace for All by Jim Stovall, Greta Smith, First United Methodist Church, Maryville, TN

June 8, 2026 · 7 min · Season 24 · Episode 934

About this episode

The episode reflects on finding joy and faith amidst grief, inspired by a visit to a historic church in Iowa.

Psalm 100 (KJV) Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. How can you make a joyful noise when your heart is breaking? In the fall of 2001, my mother came to visit us in Iowa. On April 4 of that year, my dad had tragically collapsed and died in her arms. She was inconsolable. This visit was the first time she had left home since his death. I cast around for something she would enjoy doing. She was a devout Christian and I remembered she had once asked if I knew where ‘The Little Brown Church in the Vale” was located in Iowa. It was the beloved song that prompted her: “Oh, come to the church in the wildwood Oh, come to the church in the vale No spot is so near to my childhood As the little brown church in the vale.” The Little Brown Church in the Vale is located in Nashua…

People in this episode

Hosts: Jim Stovall, Greta Smith

Topics covered

  • grief
  • faith
  • music
  • memory
  • Christianity
  • history

Keywords

  • grief
  • joyful noise
  • Christian faith
  • Little Brown Church
  • Psalm 100
  • Iowa history
  • music

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: First United Methodist Church

Books & works: The Little Brown Church in the Vale, Psalm 100

Places: Iowa, Nashua, IA

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