Church?

[Grog]

Sometimes I think the UUs "officially" follow Jesus' teachings better than most of the US commercial megachurches.

Thanks KY, I had heard about them through an American friend, I'm glad I've read more. It's good to read that these people are out there (but they're not in my city)...

[KnottedYet]

Grog-

There's a UU Fellowship in Bellingham, which is pretty active. A bit of a hike from Vancouver, though.

There are also UU churches in Nanaimo, West Vancouver, and Victoria (ok, that one is too far away)

[roguedog]

One of my faves:

SOME KEEP SUNDAY GOING TO CHURCH
by Emily ****inson
American poet (December 10, 1830 - May 15, 1886)

Some keep Sunday going to church
I keep it staying at home,
With a bobolink for a chorister,
And an orchard for a throne.

Some keep Sabbath in surplice,
I just wear my wings
And instead of tolling the bell for church,
Our little sexton sings.

God preaches, a noted clergyman,
And the sermon is never long,
So instead of going to heaven at last
I'm going all along.

[roguedog]

Oh.. jeez.. it filtered out her last name.. ha. somehow i think it'd make her laugh.

[Grog]

Grog-

There's a UU Fellowship in Bellingham, which is pretty active. A bit of a hike from Vancouver, though.

There are also UU churches in Nanaimo, West Vancouver, and Victoria (ok, that one is too far away)

I've seen that on the web site!

Even the West Vancouver one is pretty far. About 10 k in direct line, more than an hour's drive (it's across the water from me!). I'm surprised they don't have a group in Vancouver...

[crazycanuck]

My religion is biking...I beg/plead/pray to the bike gods to help me go faster..they must not be listening..

Anywho, i've never been religious & find church rather boring...

c

[tattiefritter]

Think I'm with Grog and Mimitabby - don't object to Church for other people but a Catholic education put me off for life. Particularly the Catholic church stance on birth control and its opinion of women in general. My grandparents were Irish Catholics and I used to hate the power that the priest was able to exert over their lives. I'll stop there...

[SR500]

Belief is personal, but attending church and study can help strengthen your. Churches are not perfect. It's like everything else the more you put into it the more you can get out of belonging to a church. We attend regularly, and it has had a very positive impact for us and especially our children. I would suggest you "church shop" if you are not happy, there are many great people impacting lives everyday.

[bcipam]

Not pushing anything here... but I can see many who have had a Catholic upbringing have been put off Church for life.

If your belief in God is still strong, may I suggest you try an non-dominational evangelical Church? I would say service and worship is 100% the opposite as what is offered by the Catholic Church. A typical service at my Church is usually started with some great, current Christian music, then of course the accouncements, and then the "discussion". Not ritual, traditional prayer. My pastor generally provides a lecture, much like a college class, on current day issues and how the Bible supports dealing with those issues one way or the other. After comes the collection (and it's necessary to keep a Church running) and then we close with worship. After I always feel so renewed and refreshed. I feel I leave having learned some new, life altering information.
My Church, as does most, offers small study groups if someone wants to learn more, become more involved.

There is something about surrounding one's self with a Christian community; with like minded folks. And I am the first to say, yes there are hypocritical Christians, just like there are hypocritical people in every aspect of life but at least I have the tools to discern Christian hypocracy when I hear it.

Churches are formed by and made by people. We are only human and make many mistakes. Those mistakes should never be attributed to God. His Word is perfect. Problem is, we all sometimes have trouble listening.

I have to admit I have been bad lately about going and I do miss the comfort and joy services provide me. Need to get my gear in order and get back!

[mtbdarby]

Not pushing anything here... but I can see many who have had a Catholic upbringing have been put off Church for life.

If your belief in God is still strong, may I suggest you try an non-dominational evangelical Church? I would say service and worship is 100% the opposite as what is offered by the Catholic Church. A typical service at my Church is usually started with some great, current Christian music, then of course the accouncements, and then the "discussion". Not ritual, traditional prayer. My pastor generally provides a lecture, much like a college class, on current day issues and how the Bible supports dealing with those issues one way or the other. After comes the collection (and it's necessary to keep a Church running) and then we close with worship. After I always feel so renewed and refreshed. I feel I leave having learned some new, life altering information.
My Church, as does most, offers small study groups if someone wants to learn more, become more involved.

There is something about surrounding one's self with a Christian community; with like minded folks. And I am the first to say, yes there are hypocritical Christians, just like there are hypocritical people in every aspect of life but at least I have the tools to discern Christian hypocracy when I hear it.

Churches are formed by and made by people. We are only human and make many mistakes. Those mistakes should never be attributed to God. His Word is perfect. Problem is, we all sometimes have trouble listening.

I have to admit I have been bad lately about going and I do miss the comfort and joy services provide me. Need to get my gear in order and get back!

Well said Pam. While I try and figure things out on my own too much and end up fighting my "autopilot", I notice a tremendous change in the outcomes in my life, the miracles, if you will, when I embrace my church, spirituality and fellow Christians. That's what going to church is about - the fellowship. Churchs are run by sinners, so no one is perfect. The best we can do is find one that we feel comfortable in and become a part of that family - like a cycling family. I do attend regularly, and will switch services to get some biking in. My church has even been known to have 2 bike rides a year (I think I'll see if they want to do more Of course, it's to the ice cream shop and back, but hey, that definitely goes with cycling!

[alpinerabbit]

I am pagan, so being out in nature on a sunny morning (any day of the week) is beneficial to my spirituality, I am not missing out on anything

[TsPoet]

I am pagan, so being out in nature on a sunny morning (any day of the week) is beneficial to my spirituality, I am not missing out on anything

me, too.

I like riding Sunday mornings. I live in a very church oriented area, riding on Sunday as long as I avoid start/end service times is extra peaceful with no one else around, gives me a chance to do my equivalence of "church".

[Grog]

I'd like to thank everyone for the great discussion so far, which I believe to be respectful of everyone's beliefs (or lack thereof) and convictions (or lack thereof).

You're such a wonderful group of women.

[bcipam]

I love being able to discuss religion and no one gets all crazy! Very cool!!

If anyone is interested and wants to discuss Christian based topics, I have discover a forum for that entitled crosswalk.com. It has everything from "women only" health issue discussions to heavy duty theological discussions that I can barely participate in. But there is something for everyone and great place to ask any burning questions you may have.

Another note - I also truly see God in being outdoors. I think that's why all my life, even though my folks were not outdoorsy folks I've always been outside. If anyone has ever climbed Mt. Whitney, about 2/3's of the way up, after a really brutal, rocky ascent, you will reach an alpine meadow with flowering iris and other wildflowers, a small water fall and clear, meadering stream and you know, I mean you truly know, that this wonderfully beautiful place was designed by God. The first time there I had to drop to my knee and give thanks and I cried and cried cause it was so beautiful (OK I was also alittle out of it due to high attitude sickness I admit).

Every time I'm riding my MTB bike and come across a herd of deer, you see the beautiful design of their sleek, muscular bodies and undestand the cycle of life, in how He created it; the raptors soring overhead, the birds flying between the trees, the butterfly and insects, snakes, even the awesome spiders.

I mean I could go on and on about seeing a beautiful day and the beauty of nature and know that this was all created by intelligent design. The puzzle pieces that are our world are just too complicated to be created by chance. I think we all see God in our own way and we worship something spiritual that is a creator. I've given my Creator a name, but I would bet we know and feel the beauty created by the same Being. I have no problem with the ways others worship Him. I personal feel sad for those who have not felt His Spirit. The effect on the mind and body is empowering!!! I just wish you can all be on my "drug"!

[suzieqtwa]

I'm with Grog ,and Mimitabby. Religion is a BIG turn off to me. My upbringing was Catholic . I just live my life as good as I can. Not sure what going to happen to after I die ,but I guess Ill find out. I haven't been to church in 30 years.