Comments | ann_mcn: Thinking thoughts

ann_mcn

Thinking thoughts

Aug 29, 2009 21:02

I seem to have dropped my pattern of weekly posts. I think of all sorts of things I want to talk about and converse with people about while I'm at work, doing something tedious but not engrossing, but when I get home, by the time I fix dinner, scoop the litter box, do laundry and the kitchen. and catch up on LJ and the rest of the Internet, I'm ( Read more... )

family, horizon, church, tavern

Comments 23

technoshaman August 30 2009, 07:14:10 UTC

Sounds like you found one of those Episcopal churches that learned the lessons St. Mark's did here. They have a phrase for it: "Radical inclusivity." If you darken their door, you must want to be there, and thus are welcomed with open arms, regardless of who you are or who you are with.

While I do not share their theology, I really like St. Marks' (and other churches like it, like yours) way of dealing with the world: working in real ways for social justice and trying to make sure that *everybody* gets some, and not being too picky about who says the Creed and comes forward for Eucharist and who doesn't.

So, no, you go on and say stuff about your Episcopals. You have this happy little pagan's full support. (I kinda suspected you were that particular subset of'em when I figured out you were hanging out with mrakg for so long.... either that or the analogous section of the Presbyterians, to which my friend tibicina belongs...)

ann_mcn August 30 2009, 13:29:56 UTC

Yes! You understand. That congregation isn't perfect, but they had some things exactly right.

I like talking about things with peopel of my faith and of other faiths. It helps me to step out of my own little ideas and see better.

technoshaman August 30 2009, 15:56:31 UTC

*smile* You Get It. And when you Get It, it pretty much doesn't matter where you are on Sunday morning, or on Full Moon or Equinox or Friday evening or Monday or on Yom Kippur or during Ramadan...

*hugs offered* Well met!

ann_mcn August 30 2009, 19:47:22 UTC

It's been a good hugging day!

Thread 5

sir_dave August 30 2009, 11:18:10 UTC

The real question about any church is whether or not God feels free to attend. Or to put it another way, if God really is in a church, where do you think he is sitting? Is he up front smiling and inspiring the people, the one coming up with the ideas about what is done? Or does he have to sit on the back row and be told to follow the service sheet, because people have already decided in advance exactly what will be done and said? I have known both, but today I only know churches where God has to sit at the back, if they will allow him in at all.

ann_mcn August 30 2009, 13:30:36 UTC

Heh. And there are the churches that have God's lines all scripted out, and they pull the plug if he digresses.

sir_dave August 30 2009, 15:00:40 UTC

What I once knew was a presence of God that was so powerful that people just walked in and got healed, often without other people even having to pray for it. The price for that is for humans to surrender control of their churches to God ( ... )

morghana August 30 2009, 12:40:17 UTC

Quite honestly, that sounds like a wonderful church to be part of. For me, any church/congregation/group that makes a person feel included, and is accepting, and doesn't manipulate or play power games is a good thing if they nourish your soul--because isn't that what it's really all about anyway? The fact that you are Christian and I am not is absolutely immaterial to me. It is YOU that I want to connect with... the facets and things that make you who you are are all intrinsic to the Ann I respect, enjoy and want to stay connected with. Your description of that church you felt so good it made me smile.... it's the sort of acceptance, love and spirit that I want for myself and for my friends.... the warmth and safety that makes us all feel like we have purpose and place in the world. I don't care what you call it... connection with the Divine and peace among humans is what we all ought to be working toward. (Or as I am wont to say: "Religion is like laundry detergent: I don't care what brand you use, so long as it gets your ( ... )

ann_mcn August 30 2009, 13:31:33 UTC

I am so glad we've been friends all these years! I hope you know that.

(The comment has been removed)

Re: Oh, Good! ann_mcn August 31 2009, 10:42:00 UTC

Yes, I had a very good visit. I still need to be someplace else, but it's good to go back occasionally. There is some sort of challenge or learning that I need to do, and I don't know what yet.

elliedee September 1 2009, 02:05:27 UTC

I was just sitting here complaining to myself that my entire f-list is entry after entry to the atlanta list or flylady and almost no genuine entries from real people commenting on the state of things in their lives. Then I remembered I never post anymore.

If it weren't for you and froofie, I'd have nothing to visit LJ for.

ann_mcn September 1 2009, 02:20:56 UTC

I miss LJ's former liveliness. I liked reading full sentences, and multiple paragraphs. Facebook is all right for brief messages to pass the word about something, but I like conversation, especially conversation between several people, adding to each other's comments. But, as you said, I have to post too.

You know who else in town does actual posts? Skip galbinus_caeli