Joining a church for the sense of community

[Strawberriesandpears]

Hello everyone,

I was wondering if I could seek some advice please from those of you who are a member of a church.

I am considering joining a church, but I am not sure if I am doing it for the right reasons – I’ll explain a little about my background. I am currently in my late 30s and I have very little family. I have a partner, but we have no children (and are unlikely to). I am also an only child – as is my partner, so no brothers, sisters, nephews and nieces etc between us. Our parents are still alive, but obviously that sadly won’t always be the case. I have a few friends, but nobody who I am extremely close to (however I would like to change that).

I am suddenly feeling extremely vulnerable and scared about how small our support network is. I think I am also quite lonely, and to be honest, I think I also feel a bit ‘worthless’ even. I feel my life doesn’t matter that much because I am not important to many people. I don’t have much of a chance to make a difference to anyone, and I have few places to direct my love. I’d like to think I am quite a kind and caring person. I definitely feel I am thoughtful and considerate.

I think what I am looking for is to be part of a community to try to make up for my lack of family. This is why I have been considering joining a church. Do you think this would be a good idea for someone in my position? I am not really religious, however I do believe in the fundamentals of Christianity at the basic level – being a good person etc. I could possibly become more spiritual too – it’s something I’d be willing to explore.

Do you think I would be welcome at a church? I am thinking maybe The Church of England would be most appropriate. I was christened in a Catholic Church but have never been a practicing Catholic.

If I were able to find the right church for me, I’d hope to be there for life. I’d like to be able to contribute and help others, whilst also creating a bit of a ‘safety net’ for myself (I hope that doesn’t sound too selfish).

Thank you in advance for any thoughts or advice.

@UnravellingTheWorld Where in Essex?

Church of England , like the catholic church is institution with corruption, billions in banks and a terrain for greedy people

Each parish church is its own charity with no access to anything other than its own (usually almost at zero!) bank accounts . So it’s misleading and untrue to suggest someone’s local parish church is somehow hoarding wealth. Mainly they are worshipping God and serving the vulnerable, elderly and poor.

I really think you should change your username!!!!! I don't believe you actually "know" very much at all, you are just parroting what someone else has said.

Sadly not all of them. Mine is very good at spending a fortune on the vicar's pet projects (material objects so that he can have his photo taken with someone important) and ignoring anyone outside the church. When Ukraine kicked off it was a full month before there was any thought to help, and it was restricted to a single Facebook page posting links to a couple of charities. Worshipping God? No, worshipping the vicar.
Yes there are a lot of good churches (and I'm envious, in a thoroughly Christian way!, of people posting on here who obviously belong to really good ones) but there are some crap ones. It really is a case of trial and error, and searching for the right one.

The church in my city centre is "not religious". It was obviously built as a traditional church many years ago but now is used for more Sunday assembly type things, with talks, reflection and community rather than the Bible and traditional Christianity. It advertises itself as being open to everyone, LGBTQ etc friendly, no one needs to actually believe in God. I've never been but I think it's a nice idea - church for the secular age.

Don't worry , Aslan, I won't change it. The wardrobe got nicked

Are you an Anglican vicaresse btw ?!!!! or the wifey of someone with a very large vicarage and you playing the godly wife?

I am a practicing Catholic but just live the morning prayer in my CofE church. They accept me and it's lovely.

Neither, and where I live vicars no longer live in very large vicarages!

Our local vicar - female - is extemely down to earth and "ordinary" btw.

Incidentally, I've known a lot of vicar's wives over the years, none of them I would describe as being particularly "godly'. One, a very good friend, often used to say she married the man, not the job.

Then what do you dislike so much about my opinion about institution type of churches? Not sure. Have I insulted your own feelings with something?