Sitter in Greensboro, North Carolina

It is with great enthusiasm that I offer my recommendation for Melinda Taylor as a childcare provider. For the last three years, I have been blessed to get to know Melinda in my role as the Pastor of the Agape Spiritual Community in Waltham. Melinda has been an integral part of the Agape community since our founding several years ago. For the last five years I have also served as the Protestant Chaplain at Brandeis University in Waltham. During Agape services and in the life of the Agape community, Melinda is always a thoughtful presence who is willing to lend a hand and use her gifts in the service of the community. Melinda cares deeply about others, and is a welcoming, warm face to visitors. Melinda is always willing to assist with small administrative tasks, such as setting up or cleaning up after dinner church. While others might think of these tasks as menial yet cumbersome, Melinda sees every such task as an opportunity to be helpful and a blessing to others and to the community. I know that Melinda brings the same helpfulness, kindness, and hospitality to the parents and children she works with. Though we are a new, start-up church, there are a small number of regular children who attend Agape services and events. It is a great joy to watch Melinda in the presence of our Agape children. As our young ones play or have fun (we welcome such expressions of joy from kids at Agape) Melinda’s face lights up to see the joy of children expressed. It is obvious how deeply Melinda cares for children. Through her strong faith, I know that Melinda sees all kids as children of the Divine. The same gentleness, care, and compassion that Melinda has for her son Gabe is also manifest for other children. Melinda views all children through a lens of gratitude. She is grateful for the sacred trust that she has been given to care for children- be it her son Gabe, children in her local community, or Agape children. Melinda is a beautiful example of faith that works in the service of love- both for adults, and for children. There have been many people touched by Melinda’s gifts. In addition to Melinda’s many gifts in caring for youth and kids, Melinda has an amazing gift for song that she offers at Agape often. I see Melinda’s diverse gifts similar to her gift of song- Melinda approaches both with humility, while simultaneously being a person of great strength. Melinda has overcome many obstacles in her life. Throughout it all, I have always seen Melinda maintain a positive outlook, knowing in the grand scheme of things that she has a greater purpose, and that that purpose is one of service to a larger community that includes children from all backgrounds and walks of life. Everyone in the Agape community was thrilled for Melinda when she graduated school this past May. Melinda is a very hard worker- be it in school, or in the jobs that she has held while attending school. Melinda would be a great asset to any family looking for a responsible childcare provider. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about Melinda. I am happy to share more about Melinda as a person of the utmost integrity and character. In gratitude, Rev. Matt Carriker Pastor, Agape Spiritual Community Waltham Protestant Chaplain, Brandeis University [email protected] cell: 774-270-2185