I thought my voice was weak I felt my throat all scratched up Sometimes even painful to mumble

But you hear me

Even when I'm not quite sure what I'm saying You still wait patiently beside me Until you see the light in my eye

I let out a sigh

My voice still a little dry But like a cold drink Refreshing and soothing It nourishes me

It only takes a drop A single moment

And I have the confidence to speak my truth

No longer thinking I won't fit in My thoughts are too scattered But knowing what I said mattered

It matters when we can find a moment to connect

I may not remember every detail of the first time that my mother brought us to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers when I was five years old, but I know I have been shaped by all of the people and lessons I have learned since then. I am now a junior at Florida Gulf Coast University, studying Public Relations. 

Rolling onto the FGCU campus for the first time last August, I remember being nervous about a whole new group of people I would call classmates, and wondering where I would fit in, having had such an active role at Edison State College.

I remember the atmosphere was a lot more active, the hustle of going between classes, and catching public transportation independently. It seemed inclusive and inviting, much like my church was when I was five years old. This school was different and my life had never been where I thought it would be: I was dating someone for the first time, my uncle and my grandfather had passed away a few months apart, and then I met Brother Micah.

He started speaking loudly and passionately into his megaphone in the middle of the courtyard. He would spit words of hellfire and damnation left and right, and some students stood cheering him on. One even gave him a high five. I tried blocking out his words as I left the Counseling and Psychological Services building, but with everything going on inside me I let go of all those emotions when I saw a guy with a piece of paper simply saying “You are loved.” 

I didn’t know him, but I trusted him with all of my thoughts and feelings.

I have done this in my faith community on countless occasions, and I know that everyone is there for me when I need you to help me through things and also to celebrate who I am honestly. In those first tough moments in a new place, I held onto my beliefs of my own inherent worth and dignity, and thought of people I have built relationships with here at church.

I hope that I can use these experiences, both good and bad, with Katie Romano Griffin, as we continue growing our Campus Ministry. I was overwhelmed to witness the response our congregation gave her after her sermon a few Sundays ago. I was immediately on board with her.