I did this. We were new to the area, my husband was gone on a long work project, and I needed a) something else to do with my DD during the weekends while he was gone and b) an easy way to make friends and meet people. Now, I happened to join right around Thanksgiving, so between Thanksgiving and Christmas we, like most people, were very busy and didn't have the time to be any more active in the church than just joining and then going every Sunday. But now that the holidays have passed, I'm hoping to join a small group and get more involved and try to meet more people. But so far I can say that going on Sunday has made a great improvement in my life. Can't say why, except going and hearing something GOOD for a solid hour once a week just seems to lighten the load so much for all the tedium and bad news you hear during the week. It really does just sort of ground you, and make you think, and want to be a better person. For me, anyway.

You could try Beth Chai. It's Humanist so not very religious and has a lot of mixed families. Otherwise, you will have to figure out whether Jesus will be a yes or no in the religion of your family. Once you decide that it's a little easier to narrow down possibilities.

HAH I was bored a few years ago and wanted to be eccentric, so I went to the Scientology Church's building. It was really weird -- they had this large bookstore and some classrooms. I didn't even see a pew (but maybe they just didn't take me there).

I like some of Scientology's concepts, but it was just too sterile and commercial for me.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly I've thought about it. Not boredom per se, but looking for meaning in life. Anyone watch Enlightened on showtime? I think there's going to be a trend in this direction.

I LOVE that show. But really, it isn't about spirituality straight on. I think the show is mocking those that frantically go from one fad to another searching for enlightenment. The protagonistLaura Dern is the classic California "flake" she just wrecks other's lives with her pseudo earnestness--which is just a cover for extreme selfishness and possibly a borderline personality disorder. But I digress.

Go to St. Columba's if you want to hear lesbian pastors drone on about gay political issues during the sermon.

Hmm, are I don't think that it is straightout mocking. I think the show acknowledges we need more and is great at pointing out the flaws in the flaky stuff that's out there, but not in Laura Dern's striving for it. It is a great show.

Anonymous wrote:Honestly I've thought about it. Not boredom per se, but looking for meaning in life. Anyone watch Enlightened on showtime? I think there's going to be a trend in this direction.

I LOVE that show. But really, it isn't about spirituality straight on. I think the show is mocking those that frantically go from one fad to another searching for enlightenment. The protagonistLaura Dern is the classic California "flake" she just wrecks other's lives with her pseudo earnestness--which is just a cover for extreme selfishness and possibly a borderline personality disorder. But I digress.

Go to St. Columba's if you want to hear lesbian pastors drone on about gay political issues during the sermon.

Anonymous wrote:Not trying to be judgmental, so forgive me if this comes out wrong- I have actually wondered what it would be like not to be a member of a church. My spirit needs to be a part of the community. Our closest friends are people in our church. Our kids are involved in youth group stuff. Truthfully, much of our social life is centered around the church not because we are shia religious, but because it's where our friends are.

Also, weekends would seem really strange without church. Saturday the kids are busy with sports, friends, and extra-curricular stuff. Sundays we are all together. We go to church together as a family and then out to eat afterwards. It gives us all a chance to be still and renew our spirit and connect to something bigger than ourselves. Finding a spiritual community that shares your beliefs is important. We need the love, support and guidance that a caring church can provide.

Whether you go out of sheer boredom or because you are seeking, I pray you find a good place for your family. I wish you peace in the comimg year.

So then... "Church" is like hiking with friends, then stopping by a winery for a long chat?

OP here. Thanks for everyone's replies. Does anyone have any recommendations for churches/temples in upper montgomery county with a strong community feel?

I think a lot of people get involved in religious communities in order to meet other people, enrich their lives, fill up their calendars, and for all sorts of "secondary motivations." And I don't think pastors/priests/rabbis feel their is anything wrong with that. Religion is all about the celebration of life-cycle events.

Life without church or synagogue is just fine and has been for the past 43 yrs. since I decided I wanted no part of any organized religion.

I'm spiritual, "small r" religious, respectful, charitable, etc., but I reject the formal trappings and am just fine about that. YMMV.

Not trying to be judgmental, so forgive me if this comes out wrong- I have actually wondered what it would be like not to be a member of a church. My spirit needs to be a part of the community. Our closest friends are people in our church. Our kids are involved in youth group stuff. Truthfully, much of our social life is centered around the church not because we are shia religious, but because it's where our friends are.

Also, weekends would seem really strange without church. Saturday the kids are busy with sports, friends, and extra-curricular stuff. Sundays we are all together. We go to church together as a family and then out to eat afterwards. It gives us all a chance to be still and renew our spirit and connect to something bigger than ourselves. Finding a spiritual community that shares your beliefs is important. We need the love, support and guidance that a caring church can provide.

Whether you go out of sheer boredom or because you are seeking, I pray you find a good place for your family. I wish you peace in the comimg year.

Honestly I've thought about it. Not boredom per se, but looking for meaning in life. Anyone watch Enlightened on showtime? I think there's going to be a trend in this direction.

Re 22:23's post. Good advice but only make an appointment with a priest if DH is Catholic! Otherwise explore Protestant denominations. Catholicism is a whole other can of worms.

I think this sounds very much like why many people join churches. Im planning to do the same. Less for "boredom", and more for the community and spiritual outlet.

Make an appointment with a Rabbi and a Priest. Then ask questions.

Has anyone ever joined a church/temple out of boredom? Has this given you more activities to do/made you life more meaningful and interesting? I'm not a terribly religious person but weekends seem to drag on with my husband and toddler and our limited social network. I've tried meet-up groups but never got a sense of community from doing these.
Another issue would be deciding which to join since I was raised Jewish and my husband was raised Christian... I just seem to be stuck in a rut lately, with some depression/anxiety and am wondering if the spiritual path would help to pull me out and also make our lives more well-rounded