I read this, and then I went and read Joss’ post, which I would have read anyway, a little later. It was indeed all of what you said, and also reminded me of one, tiny episode of true kindness on my own journey.
I’ve never read anything by Henry James.
The comment, here above, reminded me of being asked the same question, when I’d just moved to QC. Coming from very secularized Sweden, I, too, was almost stumped at the question! 
Started to stutter something, when G. filled in for me saying that Church of Sweden is Lutheran. I would never have come up with the word Lutheran myself.