I've been on Tribe for about six months, but brand new to this group. Just went to an Episcopal service for the second (third?) time in my life this morning. Not sure if it was a 'typical' one (is there such an animal?), but it was surprising, delightful, amazing, welcoming, wonderful. I have to recommend this church community very highly:
St. Anne's Episcopal Church, Lowell MA
www.stanneslowell.org
Knocked my socks off, much more so than any church I've been to in recent years (not that there have been many). They very nearly had me in a choir robe singing my heart out on the very first morning! The congregation is small but diverse in a way that reflects the diversity of the community (I suspect this is more the exception than the rule, by and large, in churches nowadays). Found myself wishing there were many more there, not because I need to be cheek by jowl by many, but because I wish so many more could reap the benefits of such a jumping joint! (Yes, a church built in neo-Gothic nearly 200 years ago can be a jumping joint).
I think after a lot of searching far and wide and a lot more feeling lost at sea for want of a church family for a long time, after peeling myself away from a Catholic upbringing, I might just be coming home ... who would have known? Life can surprise and disarm. It is good!
Anybody else had a similar "aha!" experience with their Episcopal/Anglican church community?
Thanks for reading. I am looking forward to finding out more and growing more into fullness and freedom ...
Cheers.
Laurie_Ann
St. Anne's Episcopal Church, Lowell MA
www.stanneslowell.org
Knocked my socks off, much more so than any church I've been to in recent years (not that there have been many). They very nearly had me in a choir robe singing my heart out on the very first morning! The congregation is small but diverse in a way that reflects the diversity of the community (I suspect this is more the exception than the rule, by and large, in churches nowadays). Found myself wishing there were many more there, not because I need to be cheek by jowl by many, but because I wish so many more could reap the benefits of such a jumping joint! (Yes, a church built in neo-Gothic nearly 200 years ago can be a jumping joint).
I think after a lot of searching far and wide and a lot more feeling lost at sea for want of a church family for a long time, after peeling myself away from a Catholic upbringing, I might just be coming home ... who would have known? Life can surprise and disarm. It is good!
Anybody else had a similar "aha!" experience with their Episcopal/Anglican church community?
Thanks for reading. I am looking forward to finding out more and growing more into fullness and freedom ...
Cheers.
Laurie_Ann
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Re: Hello, new here ...
Sun, June 18, 2006 - 6:37 PMLaura,
Glad you've found such a great new church home. We had a similar experience when the current rector of our church began. We'd only been going there for a few weeks, based on a friend's recommendation, and had listened to a series of kindly but rambling elderly supply priests. Then our current rector showed up and explained the Bible readings in such an intelligent, honest way that we knew we had to keep coming back to learn more. My husband, who had given up on church, is now an enthusiastic member.
It's always nice to find a church home where you're welcome, and where the Spirit can reach you. -
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Re: Hello, new here ...
Mon, June 19, 2006 - 6:01 PMSusanna,
Thanks for chiming in -- it is great to know that others are also experiencing the kind of re-vivification I have found within the walls of an Episcopal congregation. Frankly, it has rather turned my (admittedly stereotypical) notion of Episcopal churches on its ear, especially considering that the priest at my new church (yes, having gone now two weeks in a row it is definitely MY church) is a former Roman Catholic priest.
These are delightful surprises, and good jolts to the hardened assumptions.
I must also say -- is this starting a whole new topic, and if so I have to wonder why it hasn't so far warranted the creation of one here yet -- that I am heartened to see that the church in the U.S. has elected a woman presiding bishop. Not that I want to see a schism in the church (and I don't think this warrants that), but I feel this bodes well for the future of Episcopalians as a forward looking bunch, not entirely afraid of rattling the chains of the old guard for the greater good.
Thoughts, anybody?
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Re: Hello, new here ...
Thu, June 22, 2006 - 4:11 AMI have long thought that the Episcopal Church is a place where the real work of the gospel is getting done. One of the hallmarks of Jesus' ministry was breaking down institutional barriers between people and defying convention. The story of the Good Samaritan was about that, I think, at least in part. Jesus was all about raising up the poor, the outcast, the marginalized and, yes, the female.
I am very hopeful about the election of Katharine Schori as Presiding Bishop. With a doctorate in oceanography even! (Maybe she will give environmental issues some priority?)
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