October 8, 2025

How a Mailbox Changed my Life

May our heart carry our feet. Amen.
— Matthew McConaughey from Poems & Prayers

In December of 2005, Laura and I got married. Neither one of us was currently attending a church on a regular basis, so we opted to have a civil wedding. I am a cradle Episcopalian, and she was raised as a Catholic but had been attending the Episcopal Church. After we said “I do”, we drove to South Carolina to celebrate with her family, then flew to Coronado, CA (San Diego) to celebrate with mine.

While we were in Coronado, we met with the priest at Christ Church, the local Episcopal Church, https://christchurchcoronado.org/, to have our wedding blessed. He reminded us that we did what the Government needed us to do and to let the church do what it needed to do. Christ Church in Coronado is the first church I remember attending as a child. I have always called Christ Church “my church” as we moved around due to the military. When my parents retired, they moved back to Coronado and attended My Church.

Meanwhile, back in Virginia, we discussed various churches to attend, but did not darken any doors in the area. There was just something going on that we did not feel comfortable with.

Fast forward to 2008. One day, while checking the mailbox, I found a flyer taped to the side. Because it looked like all the other ads we get for painters, yard work, restaurants, deck builders, etc. I was ready to put the paper in the recycle bin. Looking closer, however, was a description of an Episcopal Church that was using the Oak Hill Elementary school cafeteria for Sunday worship, and we were invited to attend too!! The flyer also said that the priest, Reverend Shearon Williams, had received her calling while working in the school sponsored by my Church.

My dad was the treasurer at Christ Church and when I called him to conduct a background check, the first words that came out of his mouth were, “she always submitted her bills on time.”

Entering the cafeteria at Oak Hill we were greeted by the entire congregation of about 15 to 20 people. I hate to say it, but being in my 40’s put me into the youth group. After about one month attending worship, we became members of the hospitality team where I learned to make coffee and how to pick the best doughnuts at Shoppers Food.

Shortly after that we became members of the alter guild. The altar used by the church is currently in the back of the sanctuary of Epiphany. Next joining the men’s group (and owning a van) allowed me access to the directional signs placed strategically in the area with directions to the school.

During holidays the school was closed so the entire congregation was often found on field trips to other Episcopal Churches, golf course meeting rooms, and member basements for worship services.

I tell this story about the mailbox dozens of times every year. That brochure introduced me to dozens of new friends and opportunities that I never knew existed.

What I hope to share is that there is opportunity everywhere for all of us to invite others to Epiphany regardless of the delivery method and not to give up. Most of the congregation from 2008 are still worshipping with us, in person and remotely. I don’t know how many flyers were placed on mailboxes, nor how many people responded, but I thank those brave souls every day for my invitation.