Well, its something different at least

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-08-2003
Well, its something different at least
24
Sat, 10-23-2004 - 10:55pm

You're never gonna believe what we're going to do tomorrow.


I'm not sure I believe it. Hence the confused icon.


Kimmie and I are going to church.


My idea. But I'm not completely sure how I feel about it. I have many issues with religion. But lately I've just been feeling this... urge of sorts, to go. Part of it is wanting to find people to socialize with. Preferably other lesbians, but its not a requirement. An open and accepting mind is though. And that's a bit hard to find around here. And part of it is just an actual desire to give the whole religion concept a fair shot. So, I've kind of been feeling this desire for a few weeks now. And then one day last week, we drove by this church that had one of those marquee signs out front. You know the kind where they have little sayings or whatever and change them out occasionally? Well, we drove by this one church, and the sign out front said:


In the upcoming election, its important to have your priorities right.


Not straight, but right.


Well, I sort of took that as a gay-friendly sign. So this church has kind of been on the back of my mind. But the church doesn't have a website, but other churches with the exact same name in other areas of the country that DO have websites identify as Pentecostal and are NOT gay-friendly. (No offense intended - I'm not saying that Pentecostal = not gay-friendly, just that THESE particular churches were not.) So, its entirely possible that this church is not related to the others with the same name, but I'm just not sure. We weren't able to reach anyone by phone either. As uncertain as I am about church in general, I don't really feel comfortable going into one without knowing their opinion on GLBTI ahead of time.


So I pretty much wrote the idea off, but I think Kim knew that I was a bit disappointed that it hadn't worked out. So she said to look up Unitarian churches in the yellow pages. I did, and I found one. No website. But I got an answer when I called. I figured there was no reason to dance around what I wanted to know, so I was quite blunt and to-the-point. The man answered and said hello. I said Hi, I'm new to the area and I am looking for a church that is gay-friendly. He immediately (no hesitation at all) said, you have found a church. And I said, oh really? He said, yes, we are gay-friendly, we are welcoming to all who want to come, and as a matter of fact we have MANY gay and lesbian members. I was quite pleased with his response. He went on to tell me a bit about what tomorrow's sermon would be like, and he formally introduced himself as the pastor of the church. All in all I was very pleased with our conversation.


Kim and I talked it over and we have decided to give it a try. So that's what we will be doing tomorrow morning. I'm still not completely sure what I think/feel of the idea, but I am really wanting to try it out and go from there. I'll post again tomorrow and tell you how it went.


~C

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-15-2004
Mon, 10-25-2004 - 11:07am
Well, I'm glad that you enjoyed going to the UU church. I've visited a UU church in Delaware and the atmosphere was very comfortable and welcoming. I was very impressed with their visitors policy. The policy at this particular UU church is that if you're visiting for the third time, they ask if you want to join, lol. Well, I never made it back for the third visit. I have nothing against the UU church and I found it very refreshing. I'll have to check in again with them to see if I have to do the three visits policy again.

I felt very comfortable in knowing that when I appeared in my shirt, tie and pants, I wasn't asked to leave (not that it happened at my church, mind you), and I never received a rude stare, but a nice warm welcome. I'm glad that you two had a positive experience. I've been seriously considering getting married in a UU church (but that won't be for a while, though, lol!). But I found the whole experience to be very uplifting and positive.

Thanks for sharing that.

Gentle hugs!

 


Hugs,


Sebastian


 


http://www.facebook.com/sebastianbruce

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-24-2003
Mon, 10-25-2004 - 11:08am
Hi Kim,

Thanks for letting us know about the church. I downloaded the pdf file to my desk top. I plan to read it.

We are both recovered Christians.

Hugs,

Laurie
Laurie

My web pages
http://homepage.mac.com/lauriedav/PhotoAlbum1.html http://hometown.aol.com/didoangst/myhomepage/photo.html
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2003
Mon, 10-25-2004 - 7:56pm
Since this is the first post I've read in the thread, bursts with anticipation to hear how Courtney Conquers Church!
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-16-2003
Mon, 10-25-2004 - 8:41pm

Here's the URL for the church we visited:

Kim
Check out my

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2003
Mon, 10-25-2004 - 8:56pm
As opposed to Dummies for the Bible? Nope, I won't say that. No way. Only a few deserve that honorific, one lives near you, one in Kansas somewhere, one in the White House... maybe a few others...

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-15-2004
Mon, 10-25-2004 - 10:29pm
Kim and Courtney, I hope you enjoy the new church - they seem to be very all -inclusive, which is great! I looked at the website and didn't notice a youth group, that might be good for Amanda. My daughter always liked it. I looked at the social events calender - they even cook for all denominations! (I noticed the soup was with or without ham....cool.) I downloaded the brochure you posted earlier but haven't read it yet. I love studying religions - I took many classes on religion in college. It's fascinating to me. BUT now I like so many things about so many religions that I have a tough time finding a good fit. Maybe I should look into a UU church in my area? Well, good for you guys! I am so glad you may have found a "home" church. Hugs, Sandra

Sandr

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Tue, 10-26-2004 - 12:19am

I'm glad it was a good experience for you Kimmie.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-16-2003
Tue, 10-26-2004 - 12:01pm

So glad you and Kim had a positive experience. I have considered visiting the UU church here in town before. Fortunately, the particular church I am a member of (Presbyterian) is very open. I've heard from a friend that our recently retired minister performed a commitment ceremony for a gay couple not too long ago. I feel a bit like I am floundering when it comes to spirituality these days, but like you, Court, it is something I want to devote some time to exploring.


Hugs!

Ting

Ting 

Avatar for tookie12
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Tue, 10-26-2004 - 1:55pm
well....whilest you two were in church, Lise and I made decisions about where we are going to go....

http://home.online.no/~ptrptr/road/Hell_p.htm

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

my blog....where i scoop the poop

htt

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-16-2003
Tue, 10-26-2004 - 4:25pm

There's no doubt I'll be joining you there... hopefully, though, it will be at least 40 years from now.


Kim
Check out my