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Very confused, and very in need of opinions: How do I find a church?
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Anonymous
NP here- for LDS I have to suspend belief way too much... |
Anonymous
then it's not for you, but that doesn't mean nobody else can find fulfillment from it. |
Anonymous
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Mormon? Am I correct in my understanding that, to this day, as one example - a Mormon wife, under Mormon doctrine, doesn't get to go directly to heaven when she dies. Her husband has to call her into heaven with the secret name he gives her. IF she deserves it. If she predeceases him, she has to WAIT for him to die to get the invite.
Am I misinformed about this? |
Anonymous
Liberal Quaker = Hicksite Quaker http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_Society_of_Friends Attend a Quaker Meeting and find if it is a fit. The branch of Quakers which originated in Philly are the liberal Quakers, they are members of the Friends General Conference. There are more conservative meetings which are members of the Friends United Meeting (Richmond, IN). And there are even more conservative Quakers on the West coast who are evangelical, not sure what organization they belong to. Many meetings around here belong to both FGC and FUM, but lean one way or the other. Adelphi Friends leans more toward the Hicksite/Liberal theology, I don't know about other meetings. http://www.quaker.org/meetings.html |
Anonymous
I wrote about St. Mark's. Seriously give that a shot if you are confused, but reluctant on Unitarian. I was in a similar situation because my mother is an agnostic and I am Christian. I needed something that was both a real Christian religion but a place where my wife was accepted 100%, whether she said she believe or not. They are great about it. There are many parishoners who are agnostic, and they can receive communion if they choose to, and they get to interpret what that means however they want to. |
Anonymous
yes, you are misinformed. |
Anonymous
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I am amazed at all the Unitarian Universalists reading this board. Being a UU is a great thing because you get to explore many different sources of faith and goodness and find what is right for you. It's great.
OP: Wife of UU minister here. My husband would tell you that UUs are not Christian, though there are Christian UUs....and Buddhist UUs...and atheist UUs because being a UU is to responsibly participate in an individual search for truth and to participate in community. That said, we were both raised Catholic and I am still Catholic. Despite all the problems, this is what resonates for me. But I have explored many faiths and wanted to share my thoughts with you. You may find that either the United Church of Christ or the Episcopalians of more liberal bent work for you. Depending on the church, the Lutherans may also be a good choice if they are ELCA - which means they have a more accepting worldview. Universalist National Memorial Church on 16th street is a UU church, but they are Christin in their rites and beliefs, so a little out of the ordinary of the main type of UU church. "I'm so glad you posted this. After not having been to church in 10 years, after the birth of my daughter I went to my catholic church to get her baptized and was turned away because I didn't have paperwork of my being catholic. So I'm church shopping too! It seems weird, picking a faith." To the PP who is Catholic: this kind of crap drives me batty. If you want to get your child baptised, please do yourself a favor and go speak with Father Lydio Tomasi at Holy Rosary downtown. He may ask that you receive sacraments, but I have found him most sympathetic to kinds of situations. The important thing si that you want your child baptised and are willing to pledge to have them raised Catholic. We had several kids in my school baptised when I was growing up whose parents were not Catholic. You do need to have one godparent who is an active practicing Catholic. The other must be Christian. If this does not work, try ECLA Lutheran or Episcopalian. It will seem really similar to you without all the guilt. OP: I will ask DH if he has any reommendations for you about churches in NE. |
Anonymous
| We recently moved to an Episcopalian church in part because they are so inclusive. We're not gay, but the minister is. Also, he got me with his first sermon when he questioned something Paul wrote. |
Anonymous
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14:04 here:
DH seconds St. Mark's on the Hill and also recommends Luther Place (www.lutherplace.org) which is an amazing place which I had forgotten about. We have also attended services at Cleveland Park Congregational which is small and friendly. Coming across town on Sunday AM won't be too crowded. GL! Just remember it will take some time to look. Every church really has it's own personality. |
Anonymous
So please elaborate. Are you saying my understanding is nonsense? Or that it is simply no longer practiced? |
Anonymous
| OP, it's certainly not close to you, but if you're looking for a church with a great kids program, I suggest you attend one or two services at St. Columba's Episcopal Church at 4200 Albemarle St. Try attending one of the adult services and one of the kid services. |
Anonymous
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Thank you all SO much! I have much to think about and many visits to begin. I hope to find a place to call home before Christmas, so your well wishes and advice are very appreciated.
I've had several votes for St. Mark's, so I might try there first. But I'm also curious about checking out a UU service, too. Much to do! |
Anonymous
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Just an update for all those who helped point me with advice, which in turn greatly assuaged nervousness.
We chose to give St. Mark's a try and I pretty much loved it from the moment I was greeted at the front door. Considering I didn't schedule my arrival, I was floored that within 5 minutes of walking in I had been given an impromptu tour and met the minister. The minister was not only very personable, he remembered all of our names and used them during communion (which, to my great happiness, is open communion). My children were eve accepted into Sunday School on the spot. I had planned to just look around and show them what it was about, but they loved the Montessori set-up and wanted to stay. 
What a warm place! I will continue to be on the lookout for other places, but I really believe I may have found a very good fit for our family. Thanks, DCUM posters who gave me kind and honest advice. |
Anonymous
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Many years ago we found ourselves in a similar position and like you we were unsure about any particular doctrine, but wanted our children to have a church experience. You are doing the right thing to introduce them to spirituality now. Later in life they can determine for themselves the validity of the doctrine or the entire concept of divinty at all.
Our children grew up being members of our congregation and the experience has enriched their lives. |