By Danielle Shroyer

The first time I came to Transfiguration was as the parent of a new Kindergartener at Parish in 2008. I remember my soul's delight when I stepped into the beautiful sanctuary with its midcentury modern aesthetic and beautiful iconography above the altar. At the time, I was serving as the Pastor of Journey, a nontraditional emerging church. And yet, so much of the Fig felt like a homecoming. I too attended an Episcopal school growing up, and daily chapel remains a holy place on my own spiritual journey of faith. Were it not for those hymns, prayers, and rituals, I don't think I'd ever have become the pastor of the hip emerging church with couches. And I don't think I'd have had the space for my parishioners' big questions if the Episcopal church had not taught me so well to sit with the beauty of mystery. Every time I visited this sanctuary, it was as if the little Anglican tug on my heart grew a little stronger.

When I became a member here after leaving pastoral ministry, I arrived in the pews exhausted, and I told Fr. Casey I just needed some time to breathe, and to be. I will never be able to put into words how much it meant to me that the Fig allowed me such a soft landing place. I have been welcomed here in every way, and affirmed and encouraged in my gifts as a fellow colleague in ministry. After years of conversational sermon dialogue at Journey, I rediscovered my preaching voice here, a gift for which I will also be eternally grateful.

In the twenty years I have lived in Dallas, I have recommended the Fig to people more times than I can count. This is what I tell them: The Fig is a healthy, inclusive, beautiful church of warm-hearted people. They know who they are. They are both earnest and fun, both principled and at ease. If you are worried about what a pastor might say about a particular topic or world event, come to the Fig and exhale. They will say exactly what your heart needs to hear. And they will also not let you off the hook for being Christian, even when it's hard.

The world needs churches like this, who let their witness speak more than their shouting, who know what it means to live with integrity with both passion and quiet commitment. One of the best gifts I leave with is the example of how you can stand for things without yelling about them, which is something many Christians are still working on learning how to do. I am genuinely a better Christian because I have been nurtured here. And these pews are a big part of the reason I am now becoming a priest.

There is so much joy in this new calling, but one of the hardest parts is leaving this community of faith. I love it here, and I will miss you all. Dan and I will be leaving the first week of August to move to Virginia, where I will do my year of Anglican Studies. We are excited about this next chapter, which is arriving right at mid-life for both of us. Wherever this path of priesthood takes me, what I know for sure is that I will carry the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration in my heart. I hope you know how very special you are, and that you will continue to honor and love this community with constancy and dedication. The Fig is a gift to the world, and it has been a dear, dear gift to me. I offer a deep bow to each of you, with a heart full of gratitude.

Danielle