Al Bonney | March 20, 2026 

After a 60-year sabbatical from organized church I decided it was time to join a church family. I am not sure exactly what “joining a church family” meant to me at the time but something inside told me it was important.

On a snowy Sunday in January of ’25 my first inkling, just sitting in our gorgeous sanctuary, was that this project was a good idea. Whoever designed and built our facility, I thought, gave us a wonderful gift. Just being in the space centered my mind in preparation for worship. As I attended weekly services, listening to the gospel readings and the sermons interpreting the teachings of the gospel, a love for God began to blossom in my heart like spring daffodils after a long winter. I liked that!

If I was going to join this church family, meeting other members of the congregation seemed an early priority and the coffee fellowship offered a comfortable place to begin. Ellen approached me shortly after my first visit and asked if I would like a nametag. That, too, seemed like an important step, too. The nametag appeared the next day. Maybe joining this family was going to be easier than I thought.

As the weeks passed, other church activities presented themselves. I attended my first STAG men’s group monthly dinner and signed up for Fr. Jim’s first “Church 101”. I joined the Liturgy team as a Lector and LEM. Through these interactions I met more fellow congregants. My new “church home” was becoming increasingly comfortable with each passing day.

These small group activities and duties, over time, began a new area of growth and awareness within me – I had not anticipated that what began as a social experience would evolve into spiritual growth.  As I learned about the church, our history and our structure, the blend of temporal and spiritual integral to life in a church family became clearer.  

Another “a-ha” surfaced: I liked the welcoming and friendly people I was getting to know.  My new family members loved God and each other, and each placed a high value on making our community and the world a better place.  Jubilee House, Just Showing Up, The Food Pantry, serving our Afghan immigrant community and other service-centered activities here at Grace are important contributions that Grace Church makes in our community. They are what all churches do, right?  I mean, in the end, while it is important to be personally comfortable in a church family, it’s also important to translate a love for God and others into a demonstrated love for mankind. Christ tells us this is our responsibility as Christians.  I liked that, too!

This church family thing has become a joyful journey for me. At the same time, learning that my journey to follow Jesus, do good in the world and become a good Christian has become an intentional purpose for me. I look forward to my life as a member of the Grace Church Family.  With regular attention and prayer my growth will continue and my contribution to the Grace Church mission and purpose will make a difference in our community. Doing this alongside my fellow congregants in my new church home will be fun! 

Thanks for making a place for me. It’s nice to be home!