How was church today?

Welcome to Wondercafe2!

A community where we discuss, share, and have some fun together. Join today and become a part of it!

Register Log in
Church yesterday was good. I was preoccupied with other events last night... but my day was good.

A visiting Lutheran bishop spoke to our congregation about the Lutheran denomination. We are considering/ being considered (I think) to go from being independent to part of the Lutheran church, officially, at some point. There were a lot of questions raised (it was sort of a Q&A), that really reflected a wide range of theological perspectives of our members. The bishop was nice, well spoken, and interesting. He wore his collar, which some of our congregation finds intimidating for valid reasons and/ or they don’t like the hierarchical symbolism...it was interesting that he didn’t seem to take offense whatsoever to one person’s comment about not usually being comfortable with that (which is partly why they like this community the way it is). He handled her concern by explaining in a very easy going way, why it was his personal choice and usually the choice (but not always) for Lutheran clergy on Sundays, to wear a collar or robe.

He talked about Grace being the underpinning (paraphrasing) of Lutheran theology.

We had lunch. I sat with my home group and discussed the topics raised, some more. I wonder what direction it’ll go from here. Everyone seemed satisfied so far.



;)
 
Last edited:
Kimmio Laughterlove said:
Church yesterday was good. I was preoccupied with other events last night... but my day was good.

A visiting Lutheran bishop spoke to our congregation about the Lutheran denomination. We are considering/ being considered (I think) to go from being independent to part of the Lutheran church, officially, at some point. There were a lot of questions raised (it was sort of a Q&A), that really reflected a wide range of theological perspectives of our members. The bishop was nice, well spoken, and interesting. He wore his collar, which some of our congregation finds intimidating for valid reasons and/ or they don’t like the hierarchical symbolism...it was interesting that he didn’t seem to take offense whatsoever to one person’s comment about not usually being comfortable with that (which is partly why they like this community the way it is). He handled her concern by explaining in a very easy going way, why it was his personal choice and usually the choice (but not always) for Lutheran clergy on Sundays, to wear a collar or robe.

He talked about Grace being the underpinning (paraphrasing) of Lutheran theology.

We had lunch. I sat with my home group and discussed the topics raised, some more. I wonder what direction it’ll go from here. Everyone seemed satisfied so far.



;)
Click to expand...
ELCIC is a good denomination. The majority of their congregations and Synods are progressive while keeping traditional liturgy (not always, though, and the room for a healthy mix is what I consider ELCIC's best quality). I like all the ELCIC people I met in Winnipeg, especially the leadership. The national church is kinda stuck back in time in some issues, such as theological formation and technology, but apart from that everything is just fine.
 
GiancarloZ said:
ELCIC is a good denomination. The majority of their congregations and Synods are progressive while keeping traditional liturgy (not always, though, and the room for a healthy mix is what I consider ELCIC's best quality). I like all the ELCIC people I met in Winnipeg, especially the leadership. The national church is kinda stuck back in time in some issues, such as theological formation and technology, but apart from that everything is just fine.
Click to expand...

And their US counterpart includes House for All Sinners and Saints, founded by Nadia Bolz-Weber, which is about as far from a "usual" church as you can get from what I've read. Though apparently she's stepped down as pastor and someone else is leading them now. If they can handle having her, I'm sure that Kimmio's church can fit in, though perhaps Canada is a bit more conservative/traditional.
 
Mendalla said:
And their US counterpart includes House for All Sinners and Saints, founded by Nadia Bolz-Weber, which is about as far from a "usual" church as you can get from what I've read. Though apparently she's stepped down as pastor and someone else is leading them now. If they can handle having her, I'm sure that Kimmio's church can fit in, though perhaps Canada is a bit more conservative/traditional.
Click to expand...
It is my understanding that the ELCIC is seeking to have/support innovative ministries. There has been a lot of talks about it here.
It seems to me that Kimmio's church is quite a fit.
 
GiancarloZ said:
ELCIC is a good denomination. The majority of their congregations and Synods are progressive while keeping traditional liturgy (not always, though, and the room for a healthy mix is what I consider ELCIC's best quality). I like all the ELCIC people I met in Winnipeg, especially the leadership. The national church is kinda stuck back in time in some issues, such as theological formation and technology, but apart from that everything is just fine.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your insight!
 
Mendalla said:
And their US counterpart includes House for All Sinners and Saints, founded by Nadia Bolz-Weber, which is about as far from a "usual" church as you can get from what I've read. Though apparently she's stepped down as pastor and someone else is leading them now. If they can handle having her, I'm sure that Kimmio's church can fit in, though perhaps Canada is a bit more conservative/traditional.
Click to expand...
I spoke to the bishop about just before lunch...he said she’s great but unfortunately he doesn’t have as many tattoos.:giggle: The adjoining congregation that shares the building with us is definitely more formal. But, we’ve been there for awhile and so it doesn’t make sense that things would change drastically.



:)
 
Last edited:
The bishop did say that Bolz Weber was actually quite liturgical in her approach and that she includes traditions like Taize or Gregorian chants. I know our congregation would not be down with Gregorian chanting (well maybe a few but it’s not the kind of singing praises most would be comfortable with...it’s not very joyous - in my opinion -and our musicians play with joy, and little kids dance at front with them.) There are lots of young families with kids and they stay for a good portion of the service before heading off to Sunday school.
 
Kimmio Laughterlove said:
The bishop did say that Bolz Weber was actually quite liturgical in her approach and that she includes traditions like Taize or Gregorian chants. I know our congregation would not be down with Gregorian chanting (well maybe a few but it’s not the kind of singing praises most would be comfortable with...it’s not very joyous - in my opinion -and our musicians play with joy, and little kids dance at front with them.) There are lots of young families with kids and they stay for a good portion of the service before heading off to Sunday school.
Click to expand...
Taize, though, can be quite joyful. Many, many, many churches in Europe, Brazil, and Argentina are very fond of Taize's musical tradition. I just love their songs, mantras, chants...
 
GiancarloZ said:
Taize, though, can be quite joyful. Many, many, many churches in Europe, Brazil, and Argentina are very fond of Taize's musical tradition. I just love their songs, mantras, chants...
Click to expand...
Something about it creeps me out a little bit. Especially if it’s in Latin, in the dark, with candles. The mantras are not creepy in meaning...It feels medieval. Not my thing I guess...one our pastors sometimes does something similar in her contemplative sermons...but we repeat parts of songs that people know instead. Some of the same songs/ hymns we sing in church.



:)
 
Kimmio Laughterlove said:
Something about it creeps me out a little bit. Especially if it’s in Latin, in the dark, with candles. One our pastors sometimes does something similar in her contemplative sermons...but we repeat parts of songs that people know instead. Some of the same songs/ hymns we sing in church.
Click to expand...
That's quite interesting. Maybe they sound natural for me because Portuguese is a Latin language.
There are many of their songs/chants in English, though.
 
GiancarloZ said:
That's quite interesting. Maybe they sound natural for me because Portuguese is a Latin language.
There are many of their songs/chants in English, though.
Click to expand...
It’s just preference I guess. It is popular in Nadia’s church and used to go to a United Church that had Taize services. It just never appealed to me too much. I’d be willing to try again. But I do think it might scare some members away who have never heard anything but praise music ... but I could be wrong.
 
Kimmio Laughterlove said:
It’s just preference I guess. It is popular in Nadia’s church and used to go to a United Church that had Taize services. It just never appealed to me too much.
Click to expand...
Anyway, although liturgy is a part of Lutheran tradition, it is not part of its Theology. As the bishop told you, Grace is the most important thing. And the other stuff in the Augsburg Confession and Luther's Small Catechism, for sure, but liturgy is not among them.
 
Wow! Great time at church today: dedication of a stained glass window in memory of special people, Fathers' Day and Camping Sunday all rolled into one (would that make it a trinity?) Lots of smiles, hugs and chatter. We ended with the whole congregation linking hands, making a huge circle, and singing "Draw the Circle Wide". Another good thing was that I wore jeans and a t-shirt. There is truly a family feel at our little church.
 
Today the church building was closed with a sign on the door that we were meeting for worship and a picnic at Odell Park (a large urban park). Perfect weather, fairly large turnout of all ages: lots of young children, teenagers helping out with the children, single adults, parents and seniors. Our music director brought along his guitar and the sound system. Our two ministers shared in leading the worship service. Then a nice touch – while the Christian development Minister and her helpers organize children's games the other adults serve themselves from the buffet – barbecued hotdogs, chips, vegetable tray with dip, cookies and squares.

I made a point of thanking the family who provided the barbeque and appeared to do much of the work. They said that they enjoyed it. It's their 'thing'. But I know how much work goes into these things, and everybody appreciates a pat on the bback once in awhile.
 
Beautiful service today. Beyond wonderful, I cried quite a bit.

We welcomed three confirmands to our congregation today, three lovely young women whom I have known most of their lives. Three very artistically-bent women: one into visual arts, one into music, the third actually prepared an interpretive dance for us. And two professions of faith from an adult couple who wished to join the congregation and who will be married here next year. The new members served communion, the anthem was a lovely piece in honour of indigenous peoples that our choir director wrote herself; she is very accomplished. It was just a super-special day.
 
Been through a lot of work stress as the company I work for lost the contract and new company came in and did hire us, but will be quite a learning curve going from a small time company to a Fortune 200 company. Anyway, went to church today and was nice to be in the physical space of Hillhurst and the music was good. Didn't really connect with the sermon, but did have a nice 65 km bike ride after church so connected my soul with some time in nature.
 
You just never know said:
Been through a lot of work stress as the company I work for lost the contract and new company came in and did hire us, but will be quite a learning curve going from a small time company to a Fortune 200 company. Anyway, went to church today and was nice to be in the physical space of Hillhurst and the music was good. Didn't really connect with the sermon, but did have a nice 65 km bike ride after church so connected my soul with some time in nature.
Click to expand...

Good to be at least partly out there ... some literary geniuses appreciated the hill country of England as high and windy too ... one has to respect such things that business hasn't the time for ...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top