Strawbridge has always been a rock for me, even through the past couple of years where I have been questioning my faith and if I even think there is anything bigger than me out there. A recent moment where I was really impacted was the vote for how the church saw LGBTQ+ members/people/activities; that was actually one of the big things that’s made me doubt if I believe in God, was all the people telling me that I shouldn’t exist and that’s it’s unnatural and God never intended for LGBTQ people to exist. So to know that I am accepted by the vast majority of the church, really soothed some of my anxiety. Another big way SUMC has impacted me is the truly unconditional support and respect - I’ve been torn down by other members (very rarely and a long time ago, but still), and for every one hateful/cynical person, there were 10 people who shut it down and would protect me immediately