After finding faith through a welcoming church community and an education at Trevecca, Sara Chilton has spent decades creating spaces where others could find the same sense of belonging.
As a young adult, she was invited by a friend to a Nazarene church in Charleston, West Virginia. Despite her skepticism and a childhood without Christian influence, the invitation changed her life.
“Growing up without any religious background, my first thought was, ‘Oh, my goodness, these people really believed this stuff?’” Chilton said with a laugh. “But the experience stayed with me, and I went back a few more times. The people were so nice, and they made me part of their lives. Before I knew it, love had won me.”
That same community eventually encouraged Chilton to consider Trevecca. At first, she dismissed the idea. She had been out of school for several years living on her own and couldn’t imagine affording a college degree. Then she made a deal with herself: If she could save $1,000 before school began, she would go.
She saved the money and was dropped off on Trevecca’s campus by her pastor one foggy August morning in 1961.
She majored in English, made lifelong friendships and was deeply impacted by chapel, where her faith continued to grow. She also met her husband, now professor emeritus John Chilton. After graduating, they went on to Peabody College of Education at Vanderbilt University, earning their master’s degrees. The Chiltons’ returned to the Hill years later, where John would become a long-time professor of history and Sara would eventually serve as curriculum librarian.
In that role, she formed strong relationships with the students who worked with her and began informally mentoring them. She later joined a friend, Ava Laws, mentoring women at Nashville First Church of the Nazarene at a Saturday event in 2000. That one-time opportunity opened the door for what would become one of the most significant ministries of Chilton’s life.
Just like that, Second Saturday Sisters was born.
The “book fellowship” gathers around a dining room table each month for a time of hospitality, community and intentional spiritual formation. With meetings spanning more than two decades, they have read dozens of Christian classics, including works by C.S. Lewis, Tim Keller and Henri Nouwen.
The group is open to anyone who desires to join, but is intended for those wanting to invest deeply in their spiritual walk. It has also been continuously governed by one very important rule.
“We do not gossip,” Chilton said. “We talk about our personal problems if we want to, but we don’t hash out church problems or what we perceive as church problems. If we have had any success, that is one of the main reasons.”
That intentionality has helped create a space where women can find faith, healing and friendship.
Over the years, she has engaged in mentorship and ministry one step at a time, prioritizing faithfulness to God and faithfulness to those who seek out her wisdom and discipleship.
Chilton will receive Trevecca’s T-Award for a Layperson at Homecoming this November, recognizing her as an alumna who is devoted to serving and ministering to others in a non-ministerial role.