My family and I have become "regular visitors" of a UCC church near us.

[KitchenWitch]

I am feeling really comfortable there (never thought I would).

My life partner, who was mostly unchurched (occasionally attended a Thai Buddhist Temple growing up), and never really wanted to go to church, recently decided he wanted to find a church. He is not really a liberal, nor is he a Democrat, but he really does not like conservative Christianity. The desire for him came out of the Proposition 8 struggle. Our whole "nuclear" family has been participating in the No on Prop 8 initiative since before the election. We had attended a rally at a DOC/UCC church a few days before the election and M decided he wanted to go to church. We never made it back there.

Back in February, there was an event called the Eve of Justice, the night before the arguments for and against Proposition 8 were to be heard in the CA Supreme Court. One of the clergy who spoke at the event, is pastor of Irvine UCC. We were really moved by the story he told that we decided to check out a church service there. We have been going almost every Sunday ever since.

My background is that I am a former Catholic. I am sure if I "confessed my sins" in the Catholic Church that I would be excommunicated.

I don't really consider myself a Christian, but I am finding that going to church has been filling a spiritual need that was not being filled in my life.

:D

[Why Syzygy]

1. Thanks for that.

I have avoided fellowship because of a lot of dogma that doesn't quite fit for me.
This looks like it might avoid those issues, and there's one near me.

Thanks, KW!

[KitchenWitch]

2. It was important for us to find a church that welcomes everyone

I had gone a few times to a UUC (Unitarian Universalist Church). Although I enjoyed the services, there was something missing for me. Plus the church itself was only about 6 miles as the crow flies from my house, but ends up being 16 miles because there is no real direct route to it from home.

[Why Syzygy]

3. I attended

a UUC service in Austin. I had read the sermons online for awhile, and enjoyed them. But, the service itself seemed like a Protestant version of New Age :crazy: Same song books. Not what I needed at the time. Later I did attend a women's group at that church which was awesome.

In the video forum, a post about Francis Shaefer's son (name escapes me at the moment) interested me in the Greek Orthodox. But, the closest one is almost 30 miles of freeway driving. It would be difficult to make a commitment to regular attendance.

So, both you and your partner like that one? Is your daughter attending with you? (if you don't mind the question)

[KitchenWitch]

4. Yes, K is attending as well.

The main service has the kids sit with their parents for about the first 1/3 of the service, then they have the kids go to the altar, listen to the Sunday School teacher, then go to Sunday School while the parents stay in the sanctuary.

K loves Sunday School. K has also participated in our action against Proposition 8.

[Why Syzygy]

5. I've seen some of the photos you've posted.

You've been on the front lines. Best of luck with that!
I seriously think that during the next four years that equality will be achieved.

Thanks again for the UCC tip :hug:

[JerseygirlCT]

6. I'm glad you found a church home you feel at home in!

The fellowship can be very meaningful. And it sounds like you've found just the right fit!

[Rabrrrrrr]

7. The UCC really is the church for people who want to follow Jesus

and not some hate-based and/or dogmatic false vision of God.

[KitchenWitch]

8. Are you UCC?

M and I got married in a UCC church. But we had not been to church (except for weddings and funerals) since.

M went to an ELCA college, but had otherwise not really been a church person. I did belong, for a short time to a Congregational Church that was not affiliated with the UCC.

We loved the minister who performed our wedding. He has since retired, and we live 1800 miles from the church we got married in.

[Rabrrrrrr]

10. Yes - almost exclusively UCC

I did spend a few years at a Congregational church that was not part of the UCC, but otherwise I've always been with UCC churches (and, oddly, they've all been previously congregational ones - I've never been part of a former E&R one).

[Critters2]

11. Interesting. I've served churches in 3 of the 4 "streams".

Of the three, I actually found I was best matched with the O'Kellyites, but have found good things in all three.

[Rabrrrrrr]

12. Probably has more to do with me spending my adult life in NYC and environs

I don't think there are any E&R in that area.

And before moving to NYC, I was at the church I grew up in.

So, pretty limited possibilities for me, really. :-)

[Kat45]

16. + 1

[Critters2]

9. Welcome, KW!! I'm glad you've found a spiritual home...

that it happens to also be my spiritual home is a nice plus! Rabrrrrr, Kat 45, and I are UCC. There are probably others here, too. So, let us know if we can answer any questions or anything. It's good to have you here in the Prog People of Faith group, too! :hi:

[Kajsa]

13. Welcome, Kitchy!

I'm glad you and your family found a church you are comfortable with.

That is so important when looking for a spiritual home.

It was great seeing you the other day!
:D

Welcome to our Christian Liberals/Progressive People of Faith Group!

:hi: :hug:

[KitchenWitch]

14. I loved seeing you and your son as well.

We really need to get together more often.

:hi:

[Kajsa]

15. Yes we do!

Karl STILL calls you Kitchy-LOL!

He loves that name.

:D :hi:

[KitchenWitch]

17. We are going through the process of becoming full members of the church.

The more I go, the more I want to be there.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

18. That's what happens when you find the right community

:-)

:hi: