I have been an Episcopalian most of my life, and Mike moved over from the Methodist church to join me when we married almost 65 years ago. The Church has always been an important part of our life together and our family. When our oldest child came to UVa in 1978, we discovered a childhood friend who had become a child psychologist was teaching at the Uva Medical School. We also learned that a priest we had known in Austin was on the staff of Christ Church. We returned to Dallas feeling comfortable that surely, they could take care of our daughter.

When, on a lark, we moved to Charlottesville in 2007, I assumed that we would attend Christ Church. However, we ended up at Grace Episcopal Church in Keswick, charmed by the idea of a small historic country church. Also, the parking was much easier! We were very active there for many years, but with time there were a lot of changes that left us feeling less a part of that community. During the Pandemic, when Grace had no services, we ventured out to visit other churches, including Emmanuel, where we were met with such a warm welcome that we soon moved our membership there. Emmanuel is a place of light and life, and we particularly enjoy the young people who provide much energy for the future. If we were a bit younger and lived closer, I’m sure we would be more involved in the activities at Emmanuel, but we cherish our new church home and family and are grateful for time spent with them.

Susan and I moved from Richmond to Ramsay Farm across the street from Emmanuel in late 1999. Several months later Susan was curious about this attractive country church across the street and decided to walk over and check out a Sunday service. I asked, “you sure?” It’s Episcopalian, and the service will sure be different after being at First Presbyterian for 20 active years. We were doing a ton of renovation and I was not ready to address the church subject yet. She went and came back saying she really enjoyed going and that she had met the Rector Chuck Mullaly. Two weeks later she asked me to go. I said “no, I am not a kneeler!” Susan came back and said, “Harry, the service was again really nice and Chuck actually remembered my name. Can you believe it”? I said “good for you”. Three more weeks go by and Susan says that Chuck was moving his office, they needed a pickup truck could I go over with our pick up and help? I said, “oh boy, just what I want to do on a Saturday afternoon,” but I agreed to do it. Susan got the time wrong, I ended up showing up 30 minutes early. I said, what the heck is going on here? I was just about to leave when this guy shows up, and introduces himself as Chuck. So for about 20 minutes it was just him and me chatting away. He actually was a really nice guy, and I stayed and helped a good bit with what turned out to be a move upstairs in Marston-Larue (in July, ugh). I then went home and started thinking. Well, maybe Susan was right, should I actually test out an Episcopalian service, and agree to kneel like everyone else? So I went with her the following Sunday and sure enough, Chuck remembered my name too! SOLD on Emmanuel! 23 years later and still here!