I started attending St. John's in 2015. I'm a DC-area native and had moved to Bethesda from DC proper. I grew up in the Catholic Church, where being gay was not acceptable. But I had never stopped believing in God. By 2015, I was willing to give church another shot.
St. John’s welcomed me immediately. I had coffee with Sari less than a week after filling out the newcomer card in the church pews. He met me at Capitol Hill where I work—I didn't have to come to him. I was impressed.
I felt St. John’s’ warm welcome when Anne Derse asked me to participate in services as a lector (my dad did this, and it's my favorite thing to do as well), then as a lay eucharistic minister. Worship, for me, is the most important part of a Christian life and is central to the relationship I have with God. Reciting the prayers, listening to sermons, offering the Peace—during the past ten years, Sunday worship at St. John's has fostered my spiritual growth. It’s an additional joy to worship while reading the lessons from scripture to the congregation or serving the communion wine.
During services, in fellowship, and working together in ministry, St. John's staff, clergy, and parishioners show that they do actually love you for who you are, not just who they would like you to be. That was a first for me in a church community. I was invited and welcomed into roles participating in worship, then later asked to serve on the Vestry. This year, the parish elected me as an alternate lay delegate representing St. John’s at the Episcopal Diocese of Washington’s conventions.
This parish has put its trust in me, and I have shared my trust in return. As long as I live in Bethesda, I will be a part of this parish. And eventually, when I leave, I will keep St. John’s in my heart.
Please join me in pledging to support all the ways St. John’s welcomes us exactly as we are.
- Michael Stratmoen