Meet the Readers: Mike M.
Written by Emma McCoy
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Welcome to our interview series!
Until Advent, I’m going to be doing something a little different—interviewing blog readers about how they experience the blog, what they like and dislike, and where they think it should be going. By getting feedback from folks who consistently read and engage with the blog, I hope to garner some great feedback and ideas for what I can be doing next year. Sit back, relax, and enjoy some fun conversations with fabulous people.
Spring Church Blog Interview #2: Mike McCoy
Sunlight streamed through the workshop windows, catching on sawdust still lingering in the air. The room smelled like cigar smoke and wood—a smell I’m sure I’ll always associate with my childhood. Sitting across from my grandfather, Mike McCoy, my eyes flicked over details I hadn’t noticed in years: shelves of fly fishing books, a huge CD player, photos and paintings of various fishing trips covering the walls.
Mike has been following the blog series since I first started writing regularly for Spring Church. Having such a dedicated reader isn’t something I take for granted. Every Friday, when the blog comes out, he texts me his favorite lines and how he can see my stories and reflections apply to his own life. Every writer I know would give anything to have Mike as a reader.
“I love writing back to you,” Mike said, “and texting you not only the highlights of what I read, but some of the thoughts that generated on my part as I'm reading. I really look forward to it every Friday. It's not just because you're my granddaughter. I love the blog.”
Although this writer thinks the familial connection might have something to do with it, I decided to take the compliment. Mike talked about how he’ll mention the blog to his friends, and folks he knows have some connection with Spring Church or other churches. Most often, he’ll tell his wife, “Hey Myra, you have to read this one!” in which case I’ll get a lovely text or call from her.
“I’m always impressed with your knowledge, your knowledge of theology and how you apply it,” Mike said. “I know that your dad has that giftedness. You have that giftedness.”
Mike loves the theological reflection posts, in particular how they can take complicated or dense theological concepts and break them down in accessible language, making them applicable to daily life. At the same time, he’s drawn to the fictional stories and how the same characters are developing over time.
“You've got lots of interesting groups of characters in your blog,” Mike said, “and you have Advent coming up. I wonder how certain ones have a new thought about Advent. This is what you're so gifted with—the characters have this ‘aha’ moment where it really sinks into their life, what Advent is about, or something unique with that. I would love to read that. but anything you come up with, I'm going to be ready to read every Friday and send you back my comments.”
After talking with Mike, I sat with his feedback. He enjoys both the theological reflections and the short stories—though I noticed he became much more animated when talking about the stories. Maybe I can keep doing reflections here and there when it makes sense, and expand my short stories series? So I wouldn’t only do them for Easter and Advent, but also for themed learning targets like the Fruits of the Spirit. Many things to consider...
Do you read the blog regularly? Are you interested in sharing your thoughts with me? If so, shoot me an email at emmamccoywrites@gmail.com. Have a great week, everyone! Stay tuned for next week, an interview with another dedicated reader, my grandmother Myra!
Follow us on Instagram @springchurchbellingham and here on the blog for new stories every week!
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About the author
Spring Church member, Emma McCoy (M.A.), has two poetry books: This Voice Has an Echo (2024) and In Case I Live Forever (2022). She’s been published in places like Across the Margin, Stirring Literary, and Thimble Mag. She reads for Chestnut Review and Whale Road Review. She’s probably working on her novel right now. Catch her on Substack: https://poetrybyemma.substack.com/