Excited about my meeting with Bishop Stokes of New Jersey, I thought about how important first impressions are when getting to know someone. This is true at all levels, from personal to institutional levels. My radar was ready to detect any spoken or unspoken signs of being unwelcomed. Which is normal. No one is without prejudices. But Bishop Stokes and I prayed before we officially started our meeting. With that prayer, I felt like I was experiencing the opening of a new universe in front of me. Our meeting was a positive experience because we talked about possibilities, which means hope.

Regardless of how confident a person may be, it is normal to experience mixed feelings when you meet a person for the first time. As a Latino coming as an ordained clergy member from a different Christian denomination, I worried that this fact could be an obstacle to being welcomed in the Episcopal Church. I often wonder, What do I have to offer to the Church? What gift can I bring to this Christian community? The Episcopal Church has many ordained women and men who are priests. Did they need another priest? These other priests were already active and engaging with their communities. What new thing could I bring to them? My only possible answer: I can bring my faith, and my experience as a Christian believer. I remembered that I was seated in front of Bishop Stokes, not as a priest, but as a disciple, as a follower of Jesus. 

I may have been wearing my clerical collar, but what I really wanted to talk about was my faith and my relationship with the risen Lord.  I was able to be myself, to freely talk of personal things. After our 45 minutes conversation, I went back home with a feeling of having been truly welcomed. I was open and ready for a second encounter. 

After our meeting, we agreed that it would be good to participate as a lay person in a local parish. I was able to gather and worship at St. Peter’s Parish in Freehold, N.J., which gave me the opportunity to be a part of a community despite the limitations on gatherings and social distancing because of the pandemic. I have been blessed that they have made me feel welcomed and one of their own. 

In this process of transition, I have received the trust of people who know me as well as from others who have just begun to know me. Because of our common faith – our belief in Christ – I have been welcomed and accepted into a new community of believers. I am realistic and understand that there are still challenges of unresolved prejudices everywhere.  But we do the best we can in our journey of building God’s kingdom here on earth – with our gifts, with our talents, and with our faith.

Arian is completing a Diploma in Anglican Studies.