Peace In the Foyer: Finding Jesus on the Hard Days

 In this thoughtful mini-episode, Clare and Candice delve into an often-overlooked area of the church: the foyer. From its role as a casual gathering spot to a place of quiet support on hard Sundays, they reflect on how the foyer can be a meaningful “third place” in our spiritual lives. They share personal stories, a powerful article called "Jesus is in the Foyer" by Brooke Romney, and remind listeners that even showing up, especially on the hard days, can be an act of faith and connection. 

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This podcast episode may contain brief quotes from external sources, used in a positive and respectful manner for discussion, education, and commentary. These references fall under fair use as they are not used for commercial gain, do not replace the original works, and are presented with proper context and attribution.

The views and opinions expressed in this episode are our own and those of our guests. They do not necessarily reflect the official doctrine, beliefs, or positions of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Shownotes (clickable links)

Brooke Romney: Jesus Is in the Foyer

Elder Holland, D&C 64:33-34

Transcript 

Sisters: latter-day voices website

Transcript

Candice Buchanan: Welcome to the podcast Sisters: Latter-Day Voices. We have another mini episode, and I’m Candice.

Clare Craner: I’m Clare. So today—this is random—but I wanted to talk about the foyer. I can’t even say that without laughing. Okay, I want to talk about the church foyer.

Candice Buchanan: Do you mean the literal foyer when you’re walking into church? Or is this a metaphor?

Clare Craner: Oh no, I’m talking about the foyer.

Candice Buchanan: Oh, okay. All right. Let’s discuss.

Clare Craner: Yeah. So I think a lot of times we just skip over thinking about the foyer—even just saying it, I’m laughing, and I think you are too. But just to share a little bit of context: I’m going back to school and doing my generals, and in one of my English classes a couple of semesters ago, we had to talk about a "third place." And I didn’t even know what a third place meant. So I read this article by Ray Oldenburg—I hope I’m saying his name right—he’s a sociologist, and he wrote these two books talking about a third place. I had never heard of this concept. It might just be...

Candice Buchanan: I—

Clare Craner: —me.

Candice Buchanan: Haven’t—

Clare Craner: It might—

Candice Buchanan: —heard of it either.

Clare Craner: Okay.

Candice Buchanan: So—

Clare Craner: I was like, “Am I the only—?”

Candice Buchanan: Me?

Clare Craner: —one who doesn’t know about this?

Candice Buchanan: Nope.

Clare Craner: Okay. So, he has this idea about a third place. The first place is the home because you spend the most time there. The second place would be work or school—somewhere you’re almost always at. And then your third place is a public space—not private—where you build relationships in the community by socializing. And that’s what a third place is.

Candice Buchanan: Mmm.

Clare Craner: So third places could be a coffee shop, parks, a bookstore, gyms—it’s just a third place where you feel safe and can have social interaction.

Candice Buchanan: Nice.

Clare Craner: So we had to write a paper on a third place. And I was thinking, in my community, what is a third place? And I thought of the church foyer. So that’s what I wrote my paper on. I started thinking, okay, why is this foyer a third place?

First of all, when you go to a church—our church—it says, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and underneath it, it says Visitors Welcome. And I think especially for people who aren’t members, trying out a new church is probably something that would be scary. So I think right off the bat, when every sign says Visitors Welcome, that’s really welcoming. I love that it says that.

Candice Buchanan: Yeah.

Clare Craner: So, have you ever gone to another church, Candice?

Candice Buchanan: I did—twice—with my friends, like in high school.

Clare Craner: Did they have like a foyer?

Candice Buchanan: Um, one of the places—I really don’t remember much of a foyer. I think with... I don’t remember, honestly. One of them was kind of smaller and more like a singing-time thing. Actually, they were both very singing-time-ish. And there was like a rock band there. So it was very different. But they were nice. I don’t remember there being a foyer. There probably was, but I don’t really remember.

Clare Craner: Yeah, I’ve gone to a couple different churches. I’ve been to Catholic Masses, a more New Age-type church, and cathedrals for weddings. Some things I’ve noticed—some churches have really beautiful foyers with stained glass and amazing architecture. Some are super modern, with a coffee shop or a bookstore in the foyer.

And then if you think of our foyer, it’s a little bit funny. It feels outdated.

Candice Buchanan: Mhm.

Clare Craner: I mean, I imagine—you can—you always see a floral couch—

Candice Buchanan: Yeah.

Clare Craner: —normally on opposite sides, the carpet is low-pile, the colors are always the same—I don’t know, an off-white or cream color. And then there are always pictures of Jesus everywhere, right?

Candice Buchanan: Mhm.

Clare Craner: So there’s definitely nothing super special about our foyer. But to me, what makes it a third place—or special—is the people in the foyer. I think the older I get—well, maybe in junior high or high school, I was like, “We did church. It was three hours. Let’s leave.” But now that I’m older, I love hanging out in the foyer after church. I think it’s so fun to catch up with everyone and just chat for a while. And I think that’s what makes the foyer a third place. What makes it special is the people there.

Candice Buchanan: I agree. I remember Mom would always be ready to go, and Dad was such a social butterfly—always chatting with everybody, seeing how they’re doing. And I totally get that. I want to do the same thing now. I want to chat with everybody.

One note—I think it is definitely the people. I think that’s accurate to say. It’s a gathering spot. But I also think there’s something to the building being a dedicated building as a Church of God. Because I don’t know about you, but I’ve been to church in different places—Japan, Paris, New York—and when you walk in, especially in really busy places like New York City, where you don’t even know it’s a church from the outside, you go in—sometimes up an elevator—and once you’re in the foyer, it feels like any other church building. Because that feeling is there.

Clare Craner: Mhm.

Candice Buchanan: And that’s pretty cool.

Clare Craner: Yeah, and it is dedicated. Even if you can be a little bit more rowdy in the foyer than in the chapel, it does feel like home. And that’s what makes it special. I think it’s because of the Spirit. But I love that it’s where you connect with others and be with your ward family. It’s one of my favorite parts about going to church on Sunday.

So when I was thinking about the foyer as a third place and why it’s special, I also thought—what if you’re not excited to go to church that day? What if it’s a hard day? Why does the foyer matter then?

I thought about different stages of life. Especially when my kids were way younger, I remember going to church and thinking, “Why am I here? What’s the point?” My kids were crying, I was walking the halls, they didn’t like class, it was too crazy in the chapel—I was just pacing for hours. So what’s the point on a hard day?

And then I thought about other things that make church hard. Depression. Grief. Caregiving. Mother’s Day or Father’s Day when you can’t get pregnant. Those days are so hard. And when I was writing my paper, I needed articles to support my theory of the foyer as a third place. I came across a great article called “Jesus is in the Foyer” by Brooke Romney in LDS Living.

She talked about how hard church can be on those tough days—her kids were losing it, she was walking the halls, and wondering what the point was. It really resonated with me. Her message was that, at church, there are always pictures of Jesus—especially in the halls and foyers. And I remember, in every place we lived, I’d show my kids and say, “This is Jesus.” Maybe they didn’t understand the stories yet, but they knew who He was from the pictures.

In the article, she said that sometimes just being in the foyer is enough. Your presence is enough. And I thought that was such a unique way to look at it—that it’s okay if the foyer is your stage of life right now.

She also talked about teenagers who purposely come late because they don’t want to take the sacrament in front of everyone. Or people who just need to be in the foyer. And I loved how she emphasized that kindness in the foyer matters. If Jesus were here, He’d be in the foyer—with you, with others. Helping us feel important. And we can be that for others too.

We can notice people having a hard time. Help with a rowdy child. I’ve seen people crying in the foyer and being comforted. That creates unity. That’s love. It shows that showing up and finding peace—even if it’s in the foyer and not the chapel—is still good. Church is worth it, even—especially—on hard days.

One of my favorite speakers is Elder Holland. He gave a great talk and quoted D&C 64:33–34:

“Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great. Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind, and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days.”

So when we’re weary, the small things matter. Going to church matters. Just showing up—even if it’s in the foyer—matters. And I just want to remind everyone listening that Jesus is with you.

Candice Buchanan: I think this is really great, by the way. I love this. I’m going to think about the foyer more, and I love that. It is a great place. It’s a special place where people come together and you notice people.

Maybe—having four kids—I get wrapped up in just taking care of them, ushering them to classes, rushing to where I need to be. But I think it’s a good reminder to pay more attention to the foyer, and be aware of other people. Maybe someone just needs a smile—even if I don’t have a lot of time, even with kids—just making sure others feel welcome.

Clare Craner: Yeah. After reading her article—which I’ll definitely link—it made me realize that yes, I could be having a hard time, or things could be going great, but I still want to show up for other people who are struggling. Maybe I can be more aware. Be that person who notices the “one” and reaches out.

So, just want to let everyone know: church is definitely worth going to, especially on hard days.

And I love our foyer. I love the floral couch. It definitely feels like a home away from home. And we just want you to know—we love you. Thanks for listening.