Letter: Just one rule at Holy Trinity Episcopal: Love God above all else and neighbor as yourself (copy)

Just one rule at Holy Trinity Episcopal: Love God above all else and neighbors as yourself

If you are going to a church that you are comfortable with, you need not read any further. I am certainly not one to preach to the choir.

If, however, you have fallen away from your faith, or maybe have not been raised in any faith but sometimes feel that you are missing something in your heart, then give us at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Hertford an opportunity to help you to find some comfort and answers.

As our sign says out front “All are Welcome.” At our church and parish hall, we try to live by Jesus’ simple rules: “love God above all and love your neighbors as yourself.”

Every day we are bombarded with messages about how to live our lives, who to vote for, whose dog food is best. Our church is a sanctuary where politics is not part of our litany. Our church is a place where you can ponder God, talk to God, and celebrate a service with friends.

Yes, our church service involves sitting, standing, kneeling, and singing. It’s part of our respect for our centuries of history and is a familiar structure to many. When you come, maybe for the first time to our church, or any church, feel at home to ask about the service. Your finding comfort gives us joy.

Within our service will be a message. This may come from the very early passages of the bible or from later works inspired by Jesus. It may even come from a sermon from our minister. Regardless, the message is there to provide us with comfort in the face of the daily grind and your thoughts after seeing a beautiful sunrise or sunset, or a hungry child.

What’s it all about? So, if you are missing something in your heart, come and spend a few minutes with us on a Sunday morning. If that makes you curious about what other churches offer, go, and check them out too, even better, for us, for you.

During this season of Lent, we are doing a lot of introspection about whether the path that was chosen is the best path and start to focus on the light at the end of the tunnel that we celebrate as Easter.

Now the second part of Jesus’ message, “love your neighbor as yourself,” is often experienced in our parish hall. We all generally gather after our service for a coffee or tea and spend some time sharing our woes and triumphs, sometimes through our kids, brothers, sisters, and friends. We might even talk about dog food. You will be welcome, and you will feel closer to God’s love.

Give us a try. We are right there at 207 South Church Street in greater metropolitan downtown Hertford, the little church with the red door, and big heart. Our service starts at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday.

We look forward to seeing you there.

FRANK JAKLIC

Hertford

Editor’s note: The author is senior warden at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Hertford. He can be reached at 252-426-5246.