posted October 12, 2019 02:19 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by PixieJane:

Glad to say I know a church with this philosophy. Unfortunately it was the smallest one in the area (and it's the Bible Belt where many denominations dislike to hate each other). If I ever got into the habit of going to a Christian church, perhaps even becoming Christian, it would be the one with that philosophy.

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Same here.

posted October 12, 2019 03:49 AM            

So, when I was getting over agoraphobia, I loved Christmas, wanted to make friends, and suggested to mum and dad that we go to Christmas Eve mass. We'd received a flyer, so we thought everyone was welcome. When we showed up, not one person said hello. Nobody welcomed us, or wished us a Merry Christmas. They just stared at us. We ended up leaving as soon as the service was over, instead of going into the side room for food and drink. That was when one man smiled at us, shook our hands, and wished us a Merry Christmas. He was the ONLY one. I got more of the Christmas spirit at home with my family, watching It's a Wonderful Life (Clarence is my favourite).

A year or so later, I saw a thread on a forum I visited, go into the firey stage, and it was eventually closed - all about "CEO's" - Christmas and Easter only, church visitors. The thread-starter was angry that her family had to stand at Christmas Eve services, because of CEO's who turned up. Some responded to her, stating it was un-Christian to be rude to them, that the main thing is they were there. I told them I was just thrilled that I could finally tell my mum I was a CEO. I suppose I can understand her point, if they were there all the time, but she didn't buy tickets. The seats didn't have her name on them.

Ever since I read that, and because of the reception at the one church, I haven't tried again since. Mum's friend told me that her Unitarian church was praying for me, and I had asked mum about attending that one (I needed to make friends, and wanted a community), but we ended up not going.

posted December 13, 2019 05:37 PM            

I 'know' what you're talking about. I've seen that "VIP-Section-ONLY" treatment happen to regular Christian congregants too. They should have handled that with MUCH more grace.

Yep~~
They strut their big-selves in.
#All That PLUS a Bag of Chips?!

I'm so sorry you were treated SOOO rudely, and coldly like that. Should have NEVER happened. And you walked away with a really bad impression. That's bad pastoral administration.

When I was in church-world, I would greet {and even hug-up on} strangers, and make them feel welcomed--- and I wasn't even a Greeter!!

Yes. Like you said. 'Church' is a Community. It should be Welcoming and Full of Love.

I'm sure that if Jesus was hiding out as an Usher or a Greeter, he would have given YOUUUU, the BIGGEST WARMEST HUGGIEST~Hug Evuh!!..

THEN when the service was ready to start, Jesus would walk up the aisle, leading you to take the FRONT & BEST SEATS-- and proceed to walk up to the Pulpit fully-revealed!!
SHOCK THE FROCKS!!!

"The last shall be First, the 'important First~ies' come LAST."
{sorta a scripture!!}

Devil working through you??? haha.. NOT! ROFL
errrr, That is-- not unless your head was spinning and you were projectile-vomiting pea-soup-- or!!! *grin*, something similar to this is happening during the night?
[0:13] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTQ_C-qu8p8

. . .
off topic
When your mom and you moved from England to present locale, you relocated ONTO your Global Pluto line. ?I think Chiron too?

You (and your dad) might think of going on a trip {when weather permits} to check-out the vibrations closer to the mid-section of the country? Then do some of the searches you wanted toward your interest in animals.

Ask Graham about it.
He's got the software {and knowledge} to do that for you.
Go to his KnowFlake intro, and ask if he would.
He's a pretty generous soul.
. . .

*hug from me*

(topic) Love is the way (Bishop Michael Curry's captivating sermon, The Royal Wedding, May 19, 2018, BBC)
[13:39] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhV0PL49d3Y