YOUR STORY MATTERS HERE: Emily Sedlak

By Jenny Monahan

Emily Sedlak has spent more than half her life around horses.

This eighth grader at Ryan Gloyer Middle School recalls saving up her money for pony rides when she was only five years old. She started riding lessons at the age of seven. Two years ago, Emily began barrel racing, a competitive and demanding equine sport that requires intense concentration, skill, and hours of practice.

Emily comes by her passion for horses honestly.

“My mom has always loved horses. I got that from her,” Emily explained.

Emily competes year-round and said the summer is her busiest season; she often has as many as three events per month. This schedule, along with school, friends, and playing flute in the school band keep her busy—and all that activity is on top of her involvement at Dutilh Church.

The Sedlak family

“My family attended Dutilh Church off and on until I was in fifth grade,” Emily said. “Then my mom realized that we needed to be involved.” The family began to attend weekend services regularly, and Emily joined FISH, the Children’s Ministry small group for fourth through sixth graders.

“I have to give a shout out to Miss Sarah and Tim [Hogue],” Emily said. “They helped me make friends at FISH, and without them I wouldn’t be so much a part of the church.” Emily is, indeed, an active part of the Dutilh family. She played flute in the 2019 Christmas Cantata, is a student leader at Vacation Bible School, captained the Childen’s Ministry barn scene during the Dutilh 175 celebration, went through Confirmation, is an active member of DSM, and volunteers with Kidz Kingdom on Sunday mornings. She also serves as a greeter, helps with Kitchen Ministry (including at the café), has attended the DSM retreat at Jumonville, and most recently offered her time and tech skills as a “Church Center ambassador” to assist people with downloading the Church Center app.

That sounds like an awfully full plate. But Emily said engaging at church is important.

“For me, going to services weekly and just listening was not enough to connect with God and help my own faith grow,” she explained. “Being involved made me feel more personally connected with God.”

Emily’s favorite thing about Dutilh Church is the close-knit community. “Dutilh is my third family (along with my regular family and my barn family). The people I’m friends with, Miss Sarah, and everyone here are all there for each other and all a family,” she said.

Her “regular family” includes her dad, AJ; her mom, Lori; and her older brother, Aaron, a junior at Seneca Valley. Calla and Zippy (their horses), a dog, a cat, and a rabbit round out the Sedlak household.

Her “barn family” is also a place for Emily to share her faith. Though she never wants to force her faith on anyone, Emily said that she lives out Dutilh’s mission to love God, love others, and love to serve outside the church walls by talking about her own faith when it feels appropriate.

“We’re a close community at the barn, and if someone is having a hard time, I try to share about my own faith in God and how it has helped me,” Emily said. “And when we go to barrel races, my mom always prays over me for my safety before I compete!”

Regardless of whether she’s managing tight turns at high speeds on horseback, leading preschoolers through an activity at VBS, practicing flute, or spending time with friends, it’s clear that Emily gives her considerable talent and energy to whatever she does.  And that all of her families (church, barn, and regular) are blessed to have her among them.

If you or someone you know in the Dutilh family has an interesting story or profession, send us your ideas! We would love to help tell the story. Email: communications@dutilhumc.org.