I belonged to a church for many years.

Can't say I was religious. I was there for community. pseudo-family, acceptance, guidance. They called it covenance. It felt safe there... as long as I wasn't 'out' too much. In the winter I would walk through the cold and snow and when I got inside, immediately it was warm and cozy... full of warm people, soft lighting, rich music, kids being loved by family and the church community. It was where some of my feelings of wanting to belong, be loved, be accepted were allowed to arise within me.

The minister was very T-like. Enthusiastic, calm, reassuring, delivered his sermons in a normal speaking voice, thanks to his wife. He told in sermon about when he practiced his first sermon in front of her. He noticed she was trying to not laugh a little. Finally he said, ok--what? Well, she asked, where did that voice come from?! Cute. So he always talked as if he was just talking to a group of friends. It was nice. Personal. Intimate. Serious, but with his sense of humor too; his eyes lit up and crinkled with crows feet when he was tickled and his smile was warm and genuine.

Many people there were 2nd and 3rd generation members. Whole pews were filled with family from grandparents to baby grandchildren. It was wonderful to see and excrutiating to see.

I can understand how he could be a part of that.

Not everyone in a church supports all the dogma. Some are there a variety of reasons.

You would like to be his baby girl. Of course you would. And, in your own space with him, you are.