Within These Walls, I Have Found My People

Within These Walls, I Have Found My People

Good Morning, my name is Gail Syring, and I have been a member of the Unitarian Society of Hartford since 2006. I remember my first visit to this church with profound clarity, as it has become a milestone in my spiritual journey. It had been 14 years since I had belonged to a congregation, and although I had longed for a spiritual community, it was a meditation on destiny that gave me the courage to walk through the front door.

I was immediately greeted by Diane Cadrain, wearing a jacket that I would come to know was one of her signature masterpieces. She directed me to the welcome table where Louise Willet was waiting. Louise told me I was brave to visit alone, and that one word carried me into the Sanctuary.

Fred Louis read Frog and Toad for the, “Time for All Ages,” and I was charmed by the notion of children’s literature as sacred text. Following the guest sermon about spiritual practice, I filed into the lobby where Louise found me again to ask how I enjoyed the service. Upon my affirmative response, she instructed me: “Well, then the next thing you should do is join Small Group Ministry. It is the best way to get to know the heart of our congregation.” With her words echoing in my mind, and the flyer clutched in my hand, I left the building to consider my experience. (In truth, the prospect of coffee hour scared me to death.)

It took several visits before I was willing to brave Fellowship Hall, but Louise told me I needed to join Small Group Ministry, and so I did. I read recently in an article about religious education for adults that visitors are more likely to become members of a congregation and stay with it if they make six friends in the first few months, and I would have to agree. At first, the members of my Small Group Ministry were the welcome, familiar faces to sit next to in services, but they quickly became friends who continue to touch my heart again and again.

I was so moved by my experiences in the groups I participated in that I jumped at the opportunity to become a facilitator shortly before my first Pathways class. At the first facilitator’s meeting, I sat surrounded by a distinguished group with nearly 100 years of membership between them, and introduced myself. “Hello, my name is Gail Syring and I have been a member for two weeks.”

In the past 18 months, I have been warmly and soundly welcomed into every facet of this congregation, from visitor to staff member, and I continue to discover deeper connections each day. I am secure in the knowledge that within these walls, I have found my people, and by each of you I am forever changed. This week marks the beginning of my first semester at Hartford Seminary, where I will pursue my degree and my ministerial aspirations. Destiny indeed. Louise thought me brave to visit that first day, but that was little compared to the courage that I gained when the members of the Unitarian Society of Hartford welcomed me home.

If you are a member or a long time friend, I encourage you to consider signing up for Small Group Ministry in Fellowship Hall this morning. I guarantee that you will discover depths within yourself and you fellow congregants that you had not imagined. If you are a visitor, I encourage you to experience the heart of this congregation for yourself, and to consider joining our Pathways class on October. If you have any trepidation, please come find me after the service. I would be happy to escort you to coffee hour.

Let us know of any comments, errors and corrections - thanks (revised 9/20/07)