I had no intention of joining this congregation when I started coming to Sunday service with my family a little over a year ago. At that time, we were among a handful of families struggling to keep the Hawthorne Woods Preschool going. Mary attended a church board meeting to discuss the preschool’s situation and came away with an invitation to come to church. So, as I like to tell it, we came out of politeness.

I hadn't gone to church in over twenty-five years and I hadn't felt any need for religion or "spirituality" of any sort since then. But when we starting coming, I got drawn in. The music at that first service was several pieces by Bartók played by our wonderful pianist, Jim Helton. It impressed me to hear that thoroughly secular composer adapted to sacred purposes. The second Sunday we attended was an Open Book day, and I experienced the good feelings of the community as it welcomed new members. A couple weeks after that was the Day of the Dead commemoration. I felt moved by the poetry and by the open acceptance and support in this community as members expressed their sorrow. In hindsight, I think I decided that week that I wanted to join. Still, to convince myself, I did some reading on my own and participated in the Spring section of the Build Your Own Theology course. Through that powerful experience, I learned as much as anything else how to think and talk about my life in a religious context with a straight face.

Attending Sunday service has become a habit for us. Robert and Jonathan both enjoy their religious education activities. In fact, Robert likes RE so much now that he's actually talked me into coming on at least a couple occasions when I really wanted to skip. Over time, I hope I'll have more time and money to help support the purposes of the church, but I've definitely come to recognize the importance for me of connecting with this community and identifying myself with what it stands for.

(January 2007)