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Source: (consider it)
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Thread: Welcome - important for evangelism
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BroJames
Shipmate
# 9636
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by SvitlanaV2:
As for your first, it may be true for the CofE, as I said. The institution doesn't rely on numbers in the pews or congregational giving to sustain itself. Almost all of the smaller denominations do, however, since they lack the resources of the CofE
This may be true in some places, but, if true in my neck of the woods, certainly a rarity. The benchmark against which parishes are asked to make a “generous offer” to diocesan funds is the cost of ministry. Most are aware that 80% of diocesan income is from the parish offer, and slightly more than 80% of diocesan expenditure goes on the cost of ministry. Many congregations struggle to avoid their sense of mission being dominated by the hope that increased numbers will help meet the financial needs, and widen the pool of possibles for vital roles of church warden, treasurer, and church council secretary, along with the many other things people do to care for the church building (often now too large, and not well-shaped for current needs, but listed by Historic England, and hedged around with legally binding Faculty rules) and help sustain it as a place of worship.
[ 18. October 2017, 07:13: Message edited by: BroJames ]
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Jengie jon
Semper Reformanda
# 273
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Posted
Please note
Christian Folk is a Roman Catholic movement that is a compromise between Worship Songs Movement (Kendrick et al) and Modern Hymnwriters (Wren, Pratt Green, Carter, Bell et al).
Jengie
[ 18. October 2017, 16:19: Message edited by: Jengie jon ]
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"To violate a persons ability to distinguish fact from fantasy is the epistemological equivalent of rape." Noretta Koertge
Back to my blog
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SvitlanaV2
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# 16967
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Posted
BroJames
Of course, I wasn't implying that everything's hunky-dory for CofE congregations, but the truth is that Nonconformists generally have a higher rate of church decline and closure.
This is relevant to the thread, because declining congregations do find it harder to give off welcoming, positive vibes. Clutching desperately at a newcomer isn't appealing, but neither is an inward-looking cliqueishness, as others have said. But declining churches may also suffer from a lack of money and manpower to create a welcoming environment, or to develop their worshipping or general church life.
Modern people are used to public spaces being of a relatively high standard. Shabby chapels with mismatched armchairs, peeling paint in drab colours, and cracked tiles in the toilets, etc., don't fit the bill (unless they can pull off some kind of 'shabby chic' look).
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L'organist
Shipmate
# 17338
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Posted
IME its not just shabby furnishings but general clutter. As a travelling organist I've seen some churches where it was just chaos: every corner filled with stuff, nothing put away neatly, the whole place giving off an air of being uncared-for and unloved. And if you walk into a place with the intention of finding out if its a bunch of people/organisation you might want to join, an impression that no one there cares enough to even take out the rubbish isn't attractive.
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Rara temporum felicitate ubi sentire quae velis et quae sentias dicere licet
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Baptist Trainfan
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# 15128
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Posted
I absolutely agree. Problem is, the folk who are used to it simply don't see the problem.
IMO, one of the reasons the "new" churches succeed is that they give a "modern" impression, in music, furnishings, language, use of technology, filter coffee machine (I made that last one up, but I bet some have one). Some folk on these boards may rightly say that "old" does not necessarily equal "bad", nor that "modern" must be "good" - but it's still a telling point as far as visitors are concerned. First impressions count.
Of course great churches and cathedrals can make a point of the ancientness and beauty - but even they need to be clean and tidy. (Some of course marry wondeerful medieval buildings to excellent modern facilities). Sadly many churches are just scruffy and messy.
I can't speak for CofE churches, but you'd be surprised at some of the junk you can find in a Nonconformist pulpit. And don't even think about disused galleries!
PS You can't take out the rubbish because:
a. It Might Come In Useful Some Day; and/or
b. Different items were given in memory of (e.g.) Mrs. Jones' grandfather in 1932 and People Might Be Upset if it was thrown out (never mind that it is decrepit, obsolete, worm-ridden and useless, and that Mrs. Jones herself died in 1984).
[ 20. October 2017, 14:13: Message edited by: Baptist Trainfan ]
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Arethosemyfeet
Shipmate
# 17047
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Posted
Just as commonly, no-one feels they have the authority to actually make the decision so it just gets left.
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mr cheesy
Shipmate
# 3330
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Posted
Have I told the story of when I was helping a baptist minister doing a clear-out many years ago and found a pair of waders in a cupboard?
It was estimated that they'd say unused for 30-40 years.
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arse
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Bishops Finger
Shipmate
# 5430
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Posted
An ageing congregation, then.... ![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
Re clutter - absolutely right. Our late churchwarden had a touch of OCD (as do I - only with me it's CDO, where the letters are in the correct alphabetical order).
So, Our Place is always neat and tidy, which I hope does indeed convey the idea that we care about it.
IJ
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Our words are giants when they do us an injury, and dwarfs when they do us a service. (Wilkie Collins)
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Baptist Trainfan
Shipmate
# 15128
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by mr cheesy:
Have I told the story of when I was helping a baptist minister doing a clear-out many years ago and found a pair of waders in a cupboard?
It was estimated that they'd say unused for 30-40 years.
You see how easy you paedobaptists have it ...
Did they also have a set of those white baptismal gowns with weighted hems so that they won't float up in the water?
[ 20. October 2017, 15:58: Message edited by: Baptist Trainfan ]
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mr cheesy
Shipmate
# 3330
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Baptist Trainfan:
You see how easy you paedobaptists have it ...
Did they also have a set of those white baptismal gowns with weighted hems so that they won't float up in the water?
There was a whole load of stuff, but the only thing I remember in detail was the waders. It must have been 15+ years ago.
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arse
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Baptist Trainfan
Shipmate
# 15128
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Posted
I have seen a Pentecostal pastor conduct a baptism - indoors - in a shiny wet suit with (I think) flippers! I just wear easy-to-get off street clothes.
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Basilica
Shipmate
# 16965
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Baptist Trainfan:
quote:
Originally posted by mr cheesy:
Have I told the story of when I was helping a baptist minister doing a clear-out many years ago and found a pair of waders in a cupboard?
It was estimated that they'd say unused for 30-40 years.
You see how easy you paedobaptists have it ...
Did they also have a set of those white baptismal gowns with weighted hems so that they won't float up in the water?
I'm an Anglo-Catholic and absolutely love a full-immersion baptism. But in my mind the trick is black clothing for the baptism, with a white gown (normally a traditional alb) to go on afterwards.
It's all very seemly.
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irreverend tod
Shipmate
# 18773
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Posted
A friend has just mucked out their church and found 40 copies of the Alternative Service Book composting in a cupboard. I can't remember when the C of E stopped using them!
Also the stats are just out and the number of churches with a congregation of 12 or under is alarming. Once you are on the PCC of such a congregation you need to leave the area to get of it and since no-one wants to be church warden you can stay in post until you die - supposing someone notices.
All this is very worrying for welcoming... and evangelism.
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Diocesan Arsonist and Lead thief to the Church of England.
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Bishops Finger
Shipmate
# 5430
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Posted
The ASB went out of use in 2000, officially, when Common Worship was introduced.
As regards congregations of 12 or under, that may, in rural areas, represent 10% or even more of the local population, so figures need to be looked at in context.
Our local charevo parish, with a population of 14000, has a congregation of 300 on an average Sunday. What's that? Just over 2%?
A small congregation can often be lively and outward-looking, even if most of the locals only turn up once or twice a year!
Challenging re welcome and evangelism, I agree.
IJ
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Our words are giants when they do us an injury, and dwarfs when they do us a service. (Wilkie Collins)
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L'organist
Shipmate
# 17338
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Posted
Hear Hear!
Our Sunday congregations may be numerically small (70-75) but as a percentage of the parish population (1000) they're amazing when compared to the national average.
At Christmas we can expect to get somewhere around 250 for the carol service; and on Christmas morning there'll be over 400 spread between 2 services.
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Rara temporum felicitate ubi sentire quae velis et quae sentias dicere licet
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Bishops Finger
Shipmate
# 5430
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Posted
Well done - you must be doing something right!
70-75 is a respectable number anyway, given the size of the parish, but your Christmas numbers must lead to (or be accounted for by) some inspiring services.
IJ
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Our words are giants when they do us an injury, and dwarfs when they do us a service. (Wilkie Collins)
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Baptist Trainfan
Shipmate
# 15128
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Posted
As a more general point (or tangent): how useful do people here think are Christmas services which are intentionally not traditional "carol services" but quite "alternative" or "reflective" and clearly advertised as such? Personally I think that some folk might find them quite attractive.
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Nick Tamen
Ship's Wayfaring Fool
# 15164
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Posted
Do you mean something like a Blue Christmas/Longest Night service? Those are very popular in these parts. The one at our shack is typically well-attended, and not just by the “regulars” who show up whenever the church doors are open.
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The first thing God says to Moses is, "Take off your shoes." We are on holy ground. Hard to believe, but the truest thing I know. — Anne Lamott
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Baptist Trainfan
Shipmate
# 15128
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Posted
Possibly - I'm not familiar with the terms, I'm afraid.
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Nick Tamen
Ship's Wayfaring Fool
# 15164
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Baptist Trainfan:
Possibly - I'm not familiar with the terms, I'm afraid.
They're the two names I most often hear for a service on around the solstice (hence Longest Night) and designed to temper the (seemingly inescapable) “joy” of the season and acknowledge that many struggle to experience that joy through grief, loss, depression, etc.
Here's one description with a link to a liturgy.
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The first thing God says to Moses is, "Take off your shoes." We are on holy ground. Hard to believe, but the truest thing I know. — Anne Lamott
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Bishops Finger
Shipmate
# 5430
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Posted
There have been one or two 'Blue Christmas'-type services locally in the past, though not at Our Place.
AFAIK, they were designed to cater for those for whom the unremitting 'Festive Joy' simply did not exist, for various personal reasons. AIUI, the services focussed on the Incarnation (as all Christmas services surely should, anyway), leaving out the pseudo-Dickensian tripe and commercial hype.
IJ
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Our words are giants when they do us an injury, and dwarfs when they do us a service. (Wilkie Collins)
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Bishops Finger
Shipmate
# 5430
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Posted
BTW, Nick Tamen's link provides some useful background information, but the further links to actual liturgies don't seem to be available.
IJ
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Our words are giants when they do us an injury, and dwarfs when they do us a service. (Wilkie Collins)
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Nick Tamen
Ship's Wayfaring Fool
# 15164
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
BTW, Nick Tamen's link provides some useful background information, but the further links to actual liturgies don't seem to be available.
Yeah, sorry about that. I realized the problem after I posted (and saw the Amos quote that shows up on PC(USA) broken or dead links). I’m looking around to see if I can find it elsewhere.
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The first thing God says to Moses is, "Take off your shoes." We are on holy ground. Hard to believe, but the truest thing I know. — Anne Lamott
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Ian Climacus
Liturgical Slattern
# 944
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Posted
Interesting...never heard of these. Of course, down here it would be the longest day and shortest night of the year so some adjustments may be needed [or not...I regularly here In the Bleak Midwinter in 30C+ temps here].
I find the pressures of a "perfect" Christmas with family and the expectation to be joyful get to me... A chance to escape may be welcome.
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SvitlanaV2
Shipmate
# 16967
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
As regards congregations of 12 or under, that may, in rural areas, represent 10% or even more of the local population, so figures need to be looked at in context.
Our local charevo parish, with a population of 14000, has a congregation of 300 on an average Sunday. What's that? Just over 2%?
IJ
The CofE report 'From Anecdote to Evidence'
(p. 9) notes that 'attendance is often highest as a proportion of the population in rural areas where growth is hard to achieve; growing churches are often found in cities where relatively few people are Anglicans.'
I'm glad the document acknowledges that geography, demographics and class are significant.
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L'organist
Shipmate
# 17338
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Posted
posted by Bishop's Finger quote:
70-75 is a respectable number anyway, given the size of the parish, but your Christmas numbers must lead to (or be accounted for by) some inspiring services.
Christmas numbers (which don't include the Carol Service) are because we're the sort of area where grown-up children who have moved away come back to with their own offspring, plus this is the time of year when second-home owners come to church.
Plus, we did away with the 8am said BCP and replaced it with the 11.15 said service with carols; where the old said 8 o'clock might have got 12-15 on Christmas morning, the 11.15 gets anything up to 100 - often people who don't want to do Midnight.
The other thing (and I'm not being immodest, this is the opinion of the PP and the reason cited by many of our attendees) is that we have a very, very good choir. So the people coming to the said service with carols will not only get to sing 4 carols themselves but will get the choir singing appropriate things during communion - something like John Tavener's The Lamb followed by Parry's Welcome, Yule or similar.
Only other factor I can think of is that the PP doesn't preach at Christmas !
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Rara temporum felicitate ubi sentire quae velis et quae sentias dicere licet
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ExclamationMark
Shipmate
# 14715
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by L'organist:
Only other factor I can think of is that the PP doesn't preach at Christmas !
I find that approach both puzzling and concerning. Surely there's benefit in some guided reflection of what people have seen and heard?
Posts: 3845 | From: A new Jerusalem | Registered: Apr 2009
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L'organist
Shipmate
# 17338
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Posted
After midnight? In a church full of over-excited children?
At the Midnight Mass he wishes everyone a Happy, Joyous and Blessed Christmas and prays that the message of the angels of peace on earth be received and acted on by the whole world. More-or-less the same happens at the Living Nativity on Christmas morning.
During the Said communion with carols he may expound briefly on that.
His argument is that a congregation with so many visitors and young children will not appreciate (and is unlikely to benefit from) an elderly cleric trying to find something "fresh" to say about the incarnation. I think he's right.
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Rara temporum felicitate ubi sentire quae velis et quae sentias dicere licet
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ExclamationMark
Shipmate
# 14715
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by L'organist:
1. After midnight? In a church full of over-excited children? At the Midnight Mass he wishes everyone a Happy, Joyous and Blessed Christmas and prays that the message of the angels of peace on earth be received and acted on by the whole world. More-or-less the same happens at the Living Nativity on Christmas morning.
During the Said communion with carols he may expound briefly on that.
2. His argument is that a congregation with so many visitors and young children will not appreciate (and is unlikely to benefit from) an elderly cleric trying to find something "fresh" to say about the incarnation. I think he's right.
1. Start earlier? Move the message forwards? Joking aside, I wasn't suggesting a long an convoluted spiel - I tend to chat or about 5 minutes maximum
2. There's nothing fresh to say - but you can reinforce the wonder of the greatest story of all in just a few well chosen thoughts
Posts: 3845 | From: A new Jerusalem | Registered: Apr 2009
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Pigwidgeon
Ship's Owl
# 10192
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Posted
I've heard close to 60 Christmas sermons in my lifetime. I can remember three of them -- all because they were so very bad.
If Isaiah and Luke can't get across the meaning of the Incarnation, I doubt that a sermon would help.
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"...that is generally a matter for Pigwidgeon, several other consenting adults, a bottle of cheap Gin and the odd giraffe."
~Tortuf
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Bishops Finger
Shipmate
# 5430
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Posted
Indeed, and I think L'organist's 'elderly cleric' probably has the right idea for his context.
But, if a sermon is required, then 5 minutes' maximum, please.
IJ
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Our words are giants when they do us an injury, and dwarfs when they do us a service. (Wilkie Collins)
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Gracious rebel
Rainbow warrior
# 3523
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Posted
I too find it 'puzzling and concerning' for there to be no 'sermon' (by which I mean a few thoughts to draw it all together and make people think) at Christmas services which are likely to be attended by large numbers who don't normally come to church. It seems a wasted opportunity to give a little flavour of the sort of reflection/challenge/whatever that people who attend the church more frequently would be exposed to. And it seems more authentic to include something that has been prepared for THIS congregation in THIS church at THIS time, rather than just a set of lessons and Carols that could be the same the world over, year after year.
This was brought home to me at last week's choir practice when our musical director was discussing plans for this years Carol service - he said this year we wouldn't have to have the 'extra bits' that our former minister (who is probably reading this!) used to include. Initially I couldn't think what he meant, but I was saddened when I realised he meant the Ministers words.
For I know for a fact that my partner's teenage son who had been there one year, was so impressed with what was said, that it began to change his whole perception of what church was all about. Now it takes a skillful preacher to achieve that in a few minutes, but if there is one so gifted in the church I do believe it would be wrong to waste the opportunity to let them speak!
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Fancy a break beside the sea in Suffolk? Visit my website
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Albertus
Shipmate
# 13356
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by ExclamationMark:
quote:
Originally posted by L'organist:
1. After midnight? In a church full of over-excited children? At the Midnight Mass he wishes everyone a Happy, Joyous and Blessed Christmas and prays that the message of the angels of peace on earth be received and acted on by the whole world. More-or-less the same happens at the Living Nativity on Christmas morning.
During the Said communion with carols he may expound briefly on that.
2. His argument is that a congregation with so many visitors and young children will not appreciate (and is unlikely to benefit from) an elderly cleric trying to find something "fresh" to say about the incarnation. I think he's right.
1. Start earlier? Move the message forwards? Joking aside, I wasn't suggesting a long an convoluted spiel - I tend to chat or about 5 minutes maximum
2. There's nothing fresh to say - but you can reinforce the wonder of the greatest story of all in just a few well chosen thoughts
Exactly.
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My beard is a testament to my masculinity and virility, and demonstrates that I am a real man. Trouble is, bits of quiche sometimes get caught in it.
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L'organist
Shipmate
# 17338
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Posted
A Sermon at a Nine Lessons and Carols??? You have got to be kidding.
People come to hear "live" at least a flavour of what they hear from King's Cambridge, as devised by Milner-White: congregational carols, choir carols, 9 Lessons, plus bidding prayer, other prayers and blessing. NO sermon.
And at our place, where so many people are standing for a service that takes just over an hour and where, even to get a "good" place to stand they may have had to be there 15-20 minutes before the start, it is asking a lot to expect people to stand stock-still for any longer.
Yes there is a solution - a bigger church - but we're stuck with what our 12/13th century forebears gave us.
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Rara temporum felicitate ubi sentire quae velis et quae sentias dicere licet
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Bishops Finger
Shipmate
# 5430
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Posted
I agree - a sermon at a full-blown Carols & Lessons service might not really be necessary, though I can see the case for a very short (2-5 minutes' maximum) word at Midnight Mass/Christmas morning service, if the priest feels s/he can be as concise as that!
Different churches = different contexts = different expectations = different solutions.
IJ
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Our words are giants when they do us an injury, and dwarfs when they do us a service. (Wilkie Collins)
Posts: 10151 | From: Behind The Wheel Again! | Registered: Jan 2004
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Albertus
Shipmate
# 13356
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by L'organist:
A Sermon at a Nine Lessons and Carols??? You have got to be kidding.
People come to hear "live" at least a flavour of what they hear from King's Cambridge, as devised by Milner-White: congregational carols, choir carols, 9 Lessons, plus bidding prayer, other prayers and blessing. NO sermon.
And at our place, where so many people are standing for a service that takes just over an hour and where, even to get a "good" place to stand they may have had to be there 15-20 minutes before the start, it is asking a lot to expect people to stand stock-still for any longer.
Yes there is a solution - a bigger church - but we're stuck with what our 12/13th century forebears gave us.
Ah, I think i must have misread your post. not at nine lessons and carols, no. but otherwise, yes.
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My beard is a testament to my masculinity and virility, and demonstrates that I am a real man. Trouble is, bits of quiche sometimes get caught in it.
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Arethosemyfeet
Shipmate
# 17047
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Posted
I have to say that I always feel a bit flat if the Christmas morning service is a half-hearted, cut short version of the Sunday service rather than a full-throated festival celebration of the incarnation. I've sort-of resigned myself to it here knowing the it's only recently that Presbyterians started celebrating Christmas at all, but I'm surprised to hear folk advising cutting services and sermons short on the second greatest festival of the year in more liturgical-calendar inclined parts of the ecclesiastical world.
Posts: 2933 | From: Hebrides | Registered: Apr 2012
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Bishops Finger
Shipmate
# 5430
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Posted
We find that the Midnight Mass (full-on 'bells and smells', three Scared Monsters, Blessing of the Crib etc.) has a different feel to the more family-oriented Christmas morning service (simple ritchool - still with smoke, of course - procession of kidz etc. to the Crib for prayers).
IJ
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Our words are giants when they do us an injury, and dwarfs when they do us a service. (Wilkie Collins)
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LutheranChik
Shipmate
# 9826
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Posted
I once attended a Christmas Day service that was more or less geared for non-young families -- seniors, singletons, couples without kids, random walk-ins...it was lowkey but not half-hearted, and was a nice service on a day when, at least in the US, people are tossing their Christmas trees to the curb by noon.
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Simul iustus et peccator
http://www.lutheranchiklworddiary.blogspot.com
Posts: 6462 | From: rural Michigan, USA | Registered: Jul 2005
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ExclamationMark
Shipmate
# 14715
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by L'organist:
A Sermon at a Nine Lessons and Carols??? You have got to be kidding.
People come to hear "live" at least a flavour of what they hear from King's Cambridge, as devised by Milner-White: congregational carols, choir carols, 9 Lessons, plus bidding prayer, other prayers and blessing. NO sermon.
And at our place, where so many people are standing for a service that takes just over an hour and where, even to get a "good" place to stand they may have had to be there 15-20 minutes before the start, it is asking a lot to expect people to stand stock-still for any longer.
Yes there is a solution - a bigger church - but we're stuck with what our 12/13th century forebears gave us.
To be very unpopular, I would say something at a 9 Lessons and Carols. What's 2 -5 mins in that lot?
Otherwise people go away having had just a nice time.
By the way, I listen each year to the King's broadcast having attended it in person in 1975. I still think that there's something missing!
Posts: 3845 | From: A new Jerusalem | Registered: Apr 2009
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Pigwidgeon
Ship's Owl
# 10192
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by ExclamationMark:
Otherwise people go away having had just a nice time.
So the point of adding a sermon is to make sure that they don't have a good time? I've certainly heard many sermons that have ruined an otherwise perfectly good service.
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"...that is generally a matter for Pigwidgeon, several other consenting adults, a bottle of cheap Gin and the odd giraffe."
~Tortuf
Posts: 9835 | From: Hogwarts | Registered: Aug 2005
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Zappa
Ship's Wake
# 8433
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by ExclamationMark:
Otherwise people go away having had just a nice time.
By the way, I listen each year to the King's broadcast having attended it in person in 1975. I still think that there's something missing!
Well maybe. Though (despite my comments on a other thread) sometimes I think a biblical passage almost - only almost of course - like the Johannine Prologue has a fair bit of meaning without, you, know, added drivel.
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shameless self promotion - because I think it's worth it
and mayhap this too: http://broken-moments.blogspot.co.nz/
Posts: 18917 | From: "Central" is all they call it | Registered: Sep 2004
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Baptist Trainfan
Shipmate
# 15128
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Pigwidgeon:
quote:
Originally posted by ExclamationMark:
Otherwise people go away having had just a nice time.
So the point of adding a sermon is to make sure that they don't have a good time?
Of course not. But "having a nice time" isn't the only - or even the main - thing that a Carol Service should be about.
Posts: 9750 | From: The other side of the Severn | Registered: Sep 2009
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Baptist Trainfan
Shipmate
# 15128
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by L'organist:
Only other factor I can think of is that the PP doesn't preach at Christmas !
It has often struck me that many clergy are wary of preaching anything remotely "theological" at Christmas. IMO this has "dumbed down" Christmas and given in to the "it's a nice time for the family" (or whatever) ethos that is so prevalent.
Yet the Incarnation is HUGELY theological and deserves the best that our enquiring minds can give it - though not necessarily at midnight on Christmas Eve!
Posts: 9750 | From: The other side of the Severn | Registered: Sep 2009
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Ronald Binge
Shipmate
# 9002
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Posted
Hmm. My experience of welcome at an AffCaff Church in the west of England where I mentioned at after Mass coffee that I was a seeker and from a RC background, was an outbreak of shiftiness and shoe-gazing. On a different occasion in Ireland this was echoed by a casual conversation with an elderly CofI congregation member where they switched from being friendly, to stating to me that ‘each denomination should stick to their own’.
Following those experiences, when the time comes for me to leave my caring duty in Ireland permanently I’ll stick to Cathedral worship until I can find a congregation where I won’t stick out like a sore thumb, or embarrass its existing RC outreach.
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Older, bearded (but no wiser)
Posts: 477 | From: Brexit's frontline | Registered: Jan 2005
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Ian Climacus
Liturgical Slattern
# 944
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Ronald Binge:
On a different occasion in Ireland this was echoed by a casual conversation with an elderly CofI congregation member where they switched from being friendly, to stating to me that ‘each denomination should stick to their own’.
How strange. Both instances. I'm sorry to read of this.
At the CoI church I worshipped at for almost 6 months, they had a Catholic nun stay in from the start until the Communion "part" of the service. I heard no comments on it. Hopefully yours was a once, or twice, off. Never heard such a comment before.
Ian,
who likes to be left alone at the beginning of services but is usually happy to engage afterwards.
Posts: 7800 | From: On the border | Registered: Jul 2001
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Ronald Binge
Shipmate
# 9002
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Ian Climacus:
quote:
Originally posted by Ronald Binge:
On a different occasion in Ireland this was echoed by a casual conversation with an elderly CofI congregation member where they switched from being friendly, to stating to me that ‘each denomination should stick to their own’.
How strange. Both instances. I'm sorry to read of this.
At the CoI church I worshipped at for almost 6 months, they had a Catholic nun stay in from the start until the Communion "part" of the service. I heard no comments on it. Hopefully yours was a once, or twice, off. Never heard such a comment before.
Ian,
who likes to be left alone at the beginning of services but is usually happy to engage afterwards.
In fairness, it was an unusual occurance. But it has made me wary.
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Older, bearded (but no wiser)
Posts: 477 | From: Brexit's frontline | Registered: Jan 2005
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Augustine the Aleut
Shipmate
# 1472
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Ronald Binge:
Hmm. My experience of welcome at an AffCaff Church in the west of England where I mentioned at after Mass coffee that I was a seeker and from a RC background, was an outbreak of shiftiness and shoe-gazing. On a different occasion in Ireland this was echoed by a casual conversation with an elderly CofI congregation member where they switched from being friendly, to stating to me that ‘each denomination should stick to their own’.
Following those experiences, when the time comes for me to leave my caring duty in Ireland permanently I’ll stick to Cathedral worship until I can find a congregation where I won’t stick out like a sore thumb, or embarrass its existing RC outreach.
The Irish congregant's attitude would have been very common across the board in the 1970s. For a long time (as in, many centuries) religion and moving between churches was a sensitive topic and there is a line in popular culture about souperism during the Famine. But I think it is rapidly disappearing, and you might just have hit one of the last remnants.
Posts: 6236 | From: Ottawa, Canada | Registered: Oct 2001
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