Finding a church where I felt comfortable was difficult for me.
I had been attending an Episcopal church for many years before our 1994 move to North Carolina. I visited a few area
churches, but mostly attended service on Christmas and Easter. I prayed about finding a church that felt right, but I had just
about given up on finding a welcoming church. In November of 2001 I was particularly in a seeking state of mind. 9/11 was two
months past. My father died unexpectedly. I was amazed when my stepmother's son's church brought food to my
home for everyone after the service. I had no idea that a church would
care that much. I pondered on finding a church that cared.
One day we received a postcard in the mail. I put it on
the bulletin board by my computer. I throw away lots of cards like that, but this one was from an Episcopal Church.
That Sunday my husband was going to be out of town so I asked my son if he would go with me to a new church meeting in a school.
To my surprise, he said "sure."
My son was a senior in high school. After soccer season
was over, he had decided to shave his head on both sides, grow it very long in the middle and put Elmer's glue in it to make it stand straight up on
his head in a sort of wave thing. It was decidedly different. (I'm one of those moms that is okay with things as long as they
aren't illegal, immoral or life threatening.) So we showed up at Charlotte Latin School one Sunday morning. I
was a little wary, remembering how the priest at the church we attended in Georgia had scowled at my daughter with her piercings and her Doc Maarten
boots. I felt my son would be a real test for any church!
During the service the priest called for children to come forward and they came out of the woodwork. Seemed
like hundreds! I had no idea there were so many children in church. Immediately I got a warm feeling about this
church because it opened its arms to children. (I remember being in other churches and getting reminded, "We do have a nursery"
every time I brought my children into church.) When church was over, my son was greeted and warmly welcomed.
Maybe everyone noticed his hair, but they all acted like his unusual hair was normal. Any church that welcomes my
child like that is all right with me. I've only missed a few Sundays since. Beloved - a good word for how it
feels to be part of this community.
Ann Calandro
Merciful God, who sent your messengers
the prophets
to preach repentance
and prepare the way for our salvation:
Give us grace to heed their warnings
and forsake our sins,
that we may greet with joy the coming
of Jesus Christ our Redeemer;
who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for
ever. Amen.
