BetteTheRed
Resident Heretic
- Pronouns
- She/Her/Her
That is generally the consensus, LOL, Nancy.
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I recall a visiting preacher in Winnipeg who was very popular as a stand-up comedian preacher. One Sunday he went too far. He had met with the young people and learned their gossip topics. Then in the midst of a humorous rant before 1.500 people, he looked up at the choir loft and shouted, "Hey Lyall, when are you going to get married?" The congregation howled with laughter, but not Lyall, who was being pressured by his girlfriend Lilly to tie the knot and just didn't feel ready for marriage. The visiting minister had heard about Lyall's ambivalence, but both were mortified when he made a public joke of it. They broke up shortly thereafter.The sermon was realistic yet inspiring, and not filled with strung together jokes like some ministers seem to be resorting to.
I recall a visiting preacher in Winnipeg who was very popular as a stand-up comedian preacher. One Sunday he went too far. He had met with the young people and learned their gossip topics. Then in the midst of a humorous rant before 1.500 people, he looked up at the choir loft and shouted, "Hey Lyall, when are you going to get married?" The congregation howled with laughter, but not Lyall, who was being pressured by his girlfriend Lilly to tie the knot and just didn't feel ready for marriage. The visiting minister had heard about Lyall's ambivalence, but both were mortified when he made a public joke of it. They broke up shortly thereafter.
Me too Nancy. Last night in my Spiritual Nurture group (exploring Celtic Christianity at the moment, via John Newell's book Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul) we heard poetry by Kenneth White which I really enjoyed. And the presenter spoke of 're-wording nature' - taking a contemplative, sensory approach when we are exploring nature & not rushing to word labels that may limit our perceptions. I liked that.I like interesting words, and words that make you think because they aren't routine or expected.
"We do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words (Romans 8:26)."Carolla...I've been inspired to pray like that too, avoiding words sometimes and just sending out and receiving. Sometimes there is too much in my heart to fumble for words, so this sending out and receiving works. It works best when surrounded by nature, but if I'm in my living room, I have a special spot in nature that I picture, and plant myself there.
I like this. Cameron Trimble often says "church should be a School of Love."I preach caring.
I like this. Cameron Trimble often says "church should be a School of Love."
I'm still not attending.
Hard to tell if i will return to a church.
I miss the people. I miss communal singing. I miss the greater faith dialogues and pondering questions.
I don't miss , well, church behaviour
Always being wary in a community sucks energy and enthusiasm. Seeking inspiration for our faith in more than one community provides more opportunities for helpful surprises and helps see our community more clearly. Too many people have had painful church experiences and I am glad you are in a good place right now.You may recall that I was struggling with my own church after some hurtful incidents, and decided to occasionally attend another church where I felt inspired by the sermons and the music. I had started to help with a particular event at that church as well. But, life got in the way...travels, leading worship and commitments at my own church so I didn't attend the once a month that I thought I would. Since then, the minister has moved on, and the building is in the process of being sold. I am so sad because it seemed like the quintessential United Church, including having an aging and diminishing congregation. Which is what got it in the end. Meanwhile, things are okay at my home church, but once you've been told off, it's hard to be other than wary sometimes. I just won't get too comfortable, and I won't ever rely on any church community to be the sole inspiration for my faith.
Isn't that generally the story we are hearing with churches and similar nowadays? It is one of the big issues facing the UU fellowship and I fully expect to be approached about taking a role as soon as I announce my return, if that happens.very few committed volunteers and they are getting tired of doing almost all the work