It’s Sunday and I park my car to go to weekly communion at St. A’s. I am dressed in casual clothes –nothing fancy. As I get out of my car a very polite Mexican man, Arturo, asks if he can wash my car or help me carry in the clothes I have brought for the donation box. The items from that donation box will be delivered to a consignment store the church operates. This money provided grants to many local charities through the church’s outreach efforts. As I enter, I hear laughter, see smiles, hugs and witness the genuine love and care that is given to the parishioners. I go inside to sit in my favorite place and realize how unique St. A’s is. On my right is a mural of “dancing saints” that include Mother Teresa, and Saint Andrew. And straight in front of me is a very old stained-glass window of a woman with the words “JOY” over her head. Actually, it says “YOJ” because it was a gift, and it got installed backwards! No one seems to care. It’s not about being correct and proper here. It’s about embracing our love, friendship and diversity --our “oddities” and not our similarities. During the sermon, Lucas and his girlfriend, Lucy, always saunter in. They never seem to care about being on time, but they rarely miss a sermon. But people don’t seem to mind their tardiness. They are two alley cats that decided a few years ago that the Anglicans were a loving group of folks, and the seats were soft and inviting. They don’t miss a Sunday! The sermon is short and sweet and uplifting. It speaks to me personally about my own Christian faith. The communion service continues and always grounds me and takes me back to my early Episcopalian roots. “This part of the service is my “holy place”, and the cadence and rhythm of the communion service is one of the things I love about the Episcopal church. As we end the service, we take time to recognize various church members. It’s Libby’s birthday and she is 90 years old. A couple of visitors are recognized. St. Andrew’s is a unique place. Parishioners are kind, caring and accepting and the services are uplifting and embracing.

- Weezie Burgess