I long to be, in a church by the sea ...

"For more than 15 years, I didn’t go to church (except for lots of visits in my professional capacity). When I was in my early 20s, the Episcopal church I attended regularly split. Factions formed, sides were taken, harsh words were spoken. A spiritual tug of war ensued and left the community in tatters. It was awful, traumatic — the worst that church has to offer."

That's not my story. The only part in common is that I didn't go to church much in my 20s because I worked until 2 a.m. Sundays (Saturday nights). At least, that was my excuse.
The above, rather, is the story of one of my former religion writer colleagues — and I'm stretching the truth to include myself among her ilk, as she was one of the best.

Her tale — here — is worth reading, regardless of what you believe about church.