The path to my current faith was a very long and dark one.    Many years ago, I was a devout Christian who was unfortunate enough to have to go through a divorce.  I found myself in the position where the church treated me like an outcast (you can’t remarry; if you do, you can’t receive the Eucharist; you are basically excommunicated).

After having had sixteen years of religious education and playing by the rules, I felt abandoned and that God didn’t care about me anymore.  I felt like I was in a very dark hole spiritually. On every occasion of going into a church for a funeral, wedding, etc., I would find myself with “buckets” of tears flowing down my face.  Very painful and very embarrassing!

This went on for about thirty years with my husband, Ray, and family trying to convince me to try going back to church many times.  Finally, I agreed to go to St. Andrew’s.  My husband had become a very active participant in the congregation.  Again, the tears came.  Then my husband suggested I speak to Mother Ellen about my problem.  I agreed.

I met with Mother Ellen for about an hour and in that time she listened to what I had to say and convinced me that God did indeed love me, and that I was welcome to receive the Eucharist and come to St. Andrew’s anytime.  She suggested I go into the church and pray.  I did, only I prayed, and cried, and then prayed and cried some more, until there were no tears left.

After a short while, I realized that I had found my home at last.  I had a sense of peace and a sense that God did really care about me.  St. Andrew’s is a warm, loving, welcoming and caring community of people.  I couldn’t be happier!--Simone Rockwell

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