When Rachel Gitner took a part-time soloist job at a local Church of Christ, Scientist, religion was the last thing on her mind. A music major at the University of Oregon in Eugene, Rachel auditioned for the substitute soloist position two years ago because she knew she'd always be available on Sunday mornings.
Likewise, Rachel's mom, Gail Winter, had no plans on Sunday mornings, either. She had long ago left the Catholic Church of her childhood, but when Rachel sang, Gail came to hear her. Yet, as they tell it, neither had any interest in the service. Both more or less "zoned out" after the first five minutes. "Although," Rachel says, "the people were really nice. It was just very different from any church experience I'd ever had."
Gail decided after that first visit that she wasn't going back. But one day as she and a friend drove past the church, her friend asked, "Aren't these the folks who don't go to doctors." "That piqued my interest," Gail says.
