ISO a place to renew my spirituality

[Anonymous]

I've been an ex-Catholic for twenty years. There have been a series of circumstances in my life as of late that have led me to believe I need to renew a sense of spirituality in my daily existence. Carve out a time for discussion and meditation on the things that make this world a lovely place to live. Connect in real life (not just online) with people beyond the physical boundaries (schools, neighborhood, etc) that bind my current social circles. Sing. Smile. Learn. Laugh. Reflect.

I realize this may take the form of a church/religion or it may not. I'm open to all suggestions in the DC-metro area. Thank you in advance.

[Anonymous]

http://dc.shambhala.org/

[Anonymous]

Not a member personally but know people who love the community at http://www.all-souls.org/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've been an ex-Catholic for twenty years. There have been a series of circumstances in my life as of late that have led me to believe I need to renew a sense of spirituality in my daily existence. Carve out a time for discussion and meditation on the things that make this world a lovely place to live. Connect in real life (not just online) with people beyond the physical boundaries (schools, neighborhood, etc) that bind my current social circles. Sing. Smile. Learn. Laugh. Reflect.

I realize this may take the form of a church/religion or it may not. I'm open to all suggestions in the DC-metro area. Thank you in advance.

You sound Unitarian. Shop around. Some UU churches are more spiritual/humanist and some are more Christian.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've been an ex-Catholic for twenty years. There have been a series of circumstances in my life as of late that have led me to believe I need to renew a sense of spirituality in my daily existence. Carve out a time for discussion and meditation on the things that make this world a lovely place to live. Connect in real life (not just online) with people beyond the physical boundaries (schools, neighborhood, etc) that bind my current social circles. Sing. Smile. Learn. Laugh. Reflect.

I realize this may take the form of a church/religion or it may not. I'm open to all suggestions in the DC-metro area. Thank you in advance.

You sound Unitarian. Shop around. Some UU churches are more spiritual/humanist and some are more Christian.

NP here, in a similar place as OP. Can you mention names of some that are more Christian?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not a member personally but know people who love the community at http://www.all-souls.org/

I agree. I also like the very reflective tone at St Dominic in SW (run by the Dominican brothers). And a beautiful church.

[Anonymous]

Many thanks everyone; I appreciate the feedback.

19:40 can you elaborate the distinction with one or two examples within the Unitarian subsets you mentioned? Thank you.

[Anonymous]

For 20:13 who asked for something more christian, I would recommend trying The Falls Church Anglican. www.tfcanglican.org. It also has a facebook page. It's an enormous congregation of very nice people that tries to meet everyone's needs. The youth group is dynamic. Young adults and college groups are great. There is a group for mothers of SN kids. We meet in leased church space, public high school auditoriums and at Bishop O'Connell auditorium. The 8:00 a.m. service is the most formal (ex-Catholics like that one) and the services become progressively less formal. The 11:00 has the drums and band. It's a good place for people searching, although it is most definitely Christian. But lots of ex-Catholics, unitarians, baptists, everything.

[Anonymous]

23:13 back. Another thought. Reading? I find reading to be one of my life's greatest pleasures. Usually late at night when everyone else is asleep.

[Anonymous]

Try strolling the gardens at the Franciscan Monastery in the Brookland neighborhood of NE DC for an afternoon. http://www.myfranciscan.org/

The gardens are beautiful. I'm not saying go back to the Catholic Church. I'm as far away as I can be, but I still enjoy a stroll through the gardens.

[Anonymous]

OP, also, just to mention, if you have gone through something traumatic like the death of a loved one, I know of many very intelligent, sophisticated people who found grief counseling (group) to be of immense help.

[Anonymous]

My parents (80s+!!!) find yoga to be very calming.

[Anonymous]

Perhaps even an overnight stay?

http://www.myfranciscan.org/facilities/hermitage/

[Anonymous]

All souls UU on16th st is more Christian. River road UU is more humanist.

Also washington ethical society is completely humanist.

[Anonymous]

The Uu church further down 16th st is even more Christian-- Memorial Universalist. I meant to check it out but attended All Souls first and found my spiritual home. Been an All Souls member for 20 years now! Memorial Universalist is close to DuPont circle metro , all souls is close to Columbia heights metro.