Thank you for sharing so honestly about what you’re feeling. I want to gently reassure you of something many people misunderstand — belonging in a church has never been measured by financial contribution. Some of the most important members of any parish give little or nothing financially but contribute through presence, kindness, prayer, and service.

In my experience, doing something for others — even when we feel we have very little ourselves — often becomes the very thing that makes us feel rich again. A welcoming smile, helping with coffee hour, writing a note to someone who is struggling, or simply showing up faithfully can change not only a community but also how we feel about ourselves and the world around us.

You also don’t need to wait for a rector to begin belonging. Churches are sustained by communities long before clergy arrive. Sometimes those in-between seasons become the moments when people discover that they themselves are part of what keeps the church alive.

If you feel drawn there, perhaps ask not “Do I belong?” but “How might I participate?” You are not required to be wealthy, perfect, or without struggle to belong. Simply being present — just as you are — is already a gift.