Grandfather’s faith reaches two generations: Cathy and Josh Daniels

Cathy Daniels was born Cathrine Hayes in Sacramento, CA while her father was serving there with the United States Air Force. She has two older brothers and a younger sister. The family moved to many cities in the United States during her father’s career, but ended up in California, where Cathy graduated from Homestead High School in Cupertino. She later graduated from college at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, with a degree in child development.

Cathy did not grow up in the church, but attended Young Life while in high school. She was also influenced in her faith by her maternal grandfather who was a military chaplain in the Air Force. He had been a POW for around four years during World War 2, and he felt blessed to have survived. He had such a respectful way of treating all people, and prayed inspirational prayers at family gatherings. She discussed different church denominations with her grandfather; he suggested that Presbyterian would be a good fit for her.

Cathy came to Ann Arbor in 1987 when her husband received a job transfer to this area. Their son Josh was born in 1990. Following her divorce, Cathy searched for a church and came to Westminster. She found the church to be welcoming, especially when she met Rosemary Collins on that first visit, a co-worker at the time.

Cathy is a teacher for the University of Michigan Health System where she works with young children of employees of the health system. A great deal of learning occurs early in life; Cathy’s passion for this fact has led her to begin work on a master’s degree in early childhood education at Eastern Michigan University.

At Westminster, Cathy has been a teacher in all grades in the Worship Centers. She has greatly enjoyed Women’s Ministries activities, and also was the inspiration for and co-author of the Westminster Advent devotions booklet for 2006.

Cathy’s hobbies are gardening, walking, reading, writing children’s stories and watching her son Josh throw the discus and shot put. She also enjoys her pet cat, who she says is a “lap cat.”

A Bible verse with special meaning for Cathy is Luke 2:19: “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” This verse has impacted Cathy at different points in her life as she thinks about a life of faith. She also has been inspired by Proverbs 3:5: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Josh Daniels was born in Ann Arbor in February of 1990. He is a junior at Huron High School and is interested in science, especially chemistry and physics. His career considerations include science and education. At Huron, Josh participates in track and field, throwing the discus and shot put.

Josh came to Westminster with his mom when he was three or four years old. Presently he participates in many youth activities and enjoys the bonding and cooperative learning that occurs while growing in faith with Christian friends. He has especially enjoyed youth retreats such as at the one at Alma College.

Josh recently began working at Ace Hardware on Washtenaw, where he does cashier work or fills in where needed; this has proved to be a good learning experience. He visits with his dad in Ypsilanti several times a week and in his spare time he enjoys watching football, basketball or baseball on television or in person. He likes playing sports in the backyard as well.

Growing in the faith has been a gradual process for Josh. His favorite Bible verse is from 1 Corinthians 13: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

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