Author: Gretchen Martin

Belchertown Community Television’s Peg Louraine sat down with local author Gretchen Martin to talk about her new book, “The Autumn Swing,” and the personal journey behind it. Gretchen shares why she chose to tell her story and how it may help others feel less alone. Learn about upcoming local book signings and where you can find her work.    

The following testimonial was given by Gretchen Martin at Church of Christ Congregational UCC in Granby MA on July 1, 2022. Move forward to 29 min to hear her introduction.   ### Through the years I have been led by God in so many ways, to bring my very important message to the public.  Sparks of God’s love, light, and encouragement here and there throughout my life have brought me to this moment, to speak publicly of how my journey of faith, forgiveness, and healing transformed me.  I truly believe that this is my God given purpose. Today I will briefly share some things that happened, starting when I was very young, that changed my life’s direction.  But the good news is that not long after, my faith journey began. I will start at the beginning. My name is Gretchen.  I was born in January of 1948 and I am the oldest child in my family.   In the summer of 1949, we were at a family picnic. I was 1 ½ years old.  It was the first time that a pedophile uncle, who’d married into the family, began grooming me. I remember that day and another time not long after...