I came because I moved from New Jersey to Richford, which is rather remote, and was thrilled to find an Episcopal church on the side of the road in Slaterville Springs. I walked in that first day and I was home.

Why did I stay? The answer lives in the narthex of the church. We have a beautiful sign that greets people when they come in. The final line is why I stay. It says, “Surely the Lord is in this place.” And surely the Lord is in this place in our profound friendships and prayer support, in the beauty of the sanctuary, in our history of music and openness to the community, and most especially in sharing the Eucharist at God’s table together, where there is no distinction between persons.

We’re all just there as grateful sinners. And I love this place because surely the Lord is in this place.