Towards Wisdom

"I'm a seventeen year old girl. I'm welcome in most places. I call up a friend, go round to her house for doughnuts and a film, and I'm made to feel right at home. I go to a party, all my friends in a drunken stupor fall over themselves to say hello when I walk in. In the shops I'm welcome, in the clubs I'm welcome, in the parks, in the street, in the world I'm young and I'm welcome. Just like every other 17-year old girl I know. But in the church? With the ragged crosses, daunting black spires and cold hard faces? People like me, they don't suit that thing. Could I ever be welcome in a place like that?

You'd be surprised!

I wake up on a Sunday morning, grab some toast, jump in the car. I get out at the church. It's a tall building, towering in the sky, and I could feel a bit uneasy at this point. But I go. I walk in. It's bitterly cold and the wind slaps against the door but when I walk in it's warm. A lady, small with curly grey hair, smiles and tells me she's happy I'm here. Happy I'm here? I walk forwards and it is not long before a gentleman shakes my hand firmly and thrusts a bright yellow sheet in my hand. He smiles at me and it's not fake, not at all. As I take a seat a few people smile at me, and I'm warm and comfy, and I'm welcomed right in. You'd be surprised. That anyone feels welcome here, even me. Even me and probably you too!"

- Kate Christie
Member