I do not think I will ever leave the black church. It is where I found my love of God and myself honestly. Three years at Marsh and the first year at Marsh challenged me in ways I could not imagine. I was challenged by the stillness of the service and how much time there was for self reflection. However, after three years, I’m ready to go back. I’ve written before about what I miss about the black church, but it’s deeper than missing the black church. This summer, I churched hopped and tried to experience all of the different styles of worship. However, I kept coming back to same feeling I have when I go into a black church. I am at home there, but I’m always challenged. There’s a beauty found in the black church and particularly the energy that’s found in the room.
Marsh as a congregation, the people, the mentors and the coworkers I have are home, but Marsh itself will never be home. It’s not the type of environment where I can stay for too long. It doesn’t feed me.