Dear Sir,

I write to share my personal experience with the Church in Bermuda, a journey that spans decades and has taken an unexpected turn recently.

As a child, my siblings and I were sent to Sunday school every week, whether we liked it or not. Attendance was non-negotiable until I turned 16, and I remember the overwhelming sense of relief I felt on my 16th birthday when I no longer had to go — as I had never felt a true sense of belonging.

The Church, for me, was a place of judgment — both from others and from myself. I never felt that I was wearing the right thing, that my hair was combed well enough, or that I was simply “good enough” to be there. This constant feeling of inadequacy led me to distance myself from the Church for more than 30 years.

In the past few years, while returning home to Bermuda from Toronto, I noticed my mostly retired parents seemed to be lacking something. My father, who often speaks of faith, rarely went in person to a church service. I began to wonder if he felt the same sense of not belonging that I once did. When I offered to take him to church, I was surprised by his enthusiasm. Since that day, both he and my mother have become regular attendees.

The transformation I witnessed in my parents was great, and it made me curious. I accompanied them to St Mark’s Church in Smith’s, where the Reverend Gavin Tyte and his wife, Helen, have cultivated something truly special. To my surprise, I found myself feeling not just welcomed, but accepted — something I had only ever experienced in church where the Reverend Randy Williams was preaching (in Canada).

Reverend Gavin and Helen have created a community that is grounded in acceptance, understanding and relevance to modern life. The sermons are down-to-earth, inspiring and, most importantly for me, applicable to the world we live in today. I can’t believe I’m writing this, but I actually look forward to going to St Mark’s Church.

If you have never had the opportunity to share space with Reverend Gavin or Helen at St Mark’s, I encourage you to try it. Their message of acceptance and belonging is something that many such as myself have been missing for far too long.

JOANNE DARRELL HERBERT

Smith’s