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Original poster

Graham, Gloria and Gossip! Religion Chat thread (part 4)

991 replies

nickelbabe · 06/08/2011 11:52

I know we've not officially finished the last one, but I wanted to get the link in before we ran out of room!

Everyone welcome - the aim of this thread is to generally chat about church life, or just gossip in general!
You don't have to be a regular church-goer, nor do you have to know what we're going on about!
It's not about debate, it's just about chatting
:)

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madhairday · 06/08/2011 12:19

Hellooooo!

That's nice about the vicar's report nickel. we did something similar on the last newsletter though not v long.

Still floating on air from NW. Sometimes it's nice to just get reassured that God is Really There. And Powerful and stuff. And loves us.

Original poster
nickelbabe · 06/08/2011 12:24

hellloooo!
cheeky filling in at the end of the last thread

Grin

I would love to go to something like that - Baroque got such a buzz from Spring Harvest, and you loved NW, and our old priest (the nice one that married us) takes her family to something or other every year.

I don't think DH would approve though! Grin

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thejaffacakesareonme · 06/08/2011 16:00

I'd like to go to something too, but I know DH wouldn't want to go. I don't know anyone else that fancies going either and don't fancy going on my own. I'm afraid you're probably too far away for us to meet up Nickel or I'd suggest it. Anyone else fancy Clan Gathering next year?

Dillydaydreaming · 06/08/2011 16:06

Marking a place here, don't contribute often enough to these threads. I attend a Catholic church and am being received into the Catholic church next Easter. I love going, I help with the Children's Liturgy so don't get to enjoy much of the service. Just recently I have been going once in tne week for myself. I find the Mass very healing and peaceful.
We are fortunate enough to have young and dynamic priests here and they are both great and easy to talk to.

Original poster
nickelbabe · 06/08/2011 16:06

that's the thing isn't it? :(

I wouldn't look at it in the same way as some of you - I enjoy the happyclappy stuff but only if it's not a church service (i'm odd like that!)
DH just doesn't like the happyclappy at all.
but he's happy to spend a day touring a cathedral etc, going to the odd service as well as looking round.

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Original poster
nickelbabe · 06/08/2011 16:08

welcome to the thread Dilly :)

lovely to have you on board.

I don't tend to contribute to religion threads in general, because i think they get too bogged down with philosophy or religion (or debate from the non-believers who still insist on trying to put us all down!), but I like to chat to people who don't think i've got 2 heads for going to church every week Grin

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madhairday · 06/08/2011 16:22

Hi Dilly. Sounds like an exciting journey you're on :)

Jaffa and nickel, loads of families go to these things where one half aren't really into it but still enjoy the chilling and social side, so don't go to any meetings but get involved in the beer and bbqs and evening chats, would your OHs be up for that do you think? There is no pressure at all to 'do' anything.

nickel I'm fascinated that you enjoy HC stuff but outside church services - let's unpack that one shall we? Wink I'd love you to come to New wine! I know Baroque has just been to Keswick and looks like she's had an amazing time too. There is something about these big gatherings where somehow things are different and it's easy to find God's presence where so many are seeking him and so many are expecting him to turn up. I think that's it really - the sense of expectation, can be so powerful, and thousands of people worshipping together - it's just incredible. I can't even begin to describe it.

It does depend on personality as well though. I'm more extrovert and so love being in crowds worshipping etc. dh loves it for a while but still needs his space and to go off on his own to meet with God too (well I guess we all need that) but gets mroe out of that sometimes.

Jaffa, Clan is supposed to be fab, it's New wine based I think? Can you get anyone from church interested do you think? It's such fun going in a church group and you really get to know people so well.

Original poster
nickelbabe · 06/08/2011 16:28

I don't know if i could cope with hundreds or thousands all together worshipping - it seems a bit excessive to me Blush
maybe something a bit smaller....

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madhairday · 06/08/2011 17:18

I think you'd love Taize, nickel, have you ever been? More contemplative and not as huge, very beautiful by all accounts.

For me, the more the better, I can't wait to see the myriads upon myriads round the throne and all that jazz Grin

Love it that we're all so different.

thejaffacakesareonme · 06/08/2011 17:19

Beer? May be able to interest DH after all ...

MaryBS · 06/08/2011 17:22

Another vote for Taize worship here :)

You may have seen my status on FB, but I was at the Cathedral this morning for an early morning service, and the Diocesan bishop came and sat next to me!

Original poster
nickelbabe · 06/08/2011 17:43

i would be willign to try it.
although, I've looked at the Taize music in the Hideous book and it seems rather, erm, dull....Blush
but that's proably because it's supposed to be repeated ad nauseum for prayer, right?

ooh, Mary, no I didn't see that on your FB! how cool is that! ShockGrin

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madhairday · 06/08/2011 17:57

Taize worship is repetitive but meant to be. It's in a way like saying the Jesus prayer over and over - gets you into that place of meditation or whatever - can be stunningly powerful. It's not my favourite but I have found it to be helpful on many occasions.

Wow Mary! BTW how's the new vicar doing? :)

madhairday · 06/08/2011 17:58

nickel you'll have to come along to a NW women's day - would give you a taste of it and no camping!! All v HC though, but not in a church service so ok! Grin Next ones are in March I think. They are fab (but I am biased)

PandaG · 06/08/2011 18:17

NW is fantastic! (Panda finally got to meet MHD on Monday Grin)

agree there are people who go for the social side rather than the services. There is a lively 'fringe' too, of after hours activities - musicians, comedians, magicians etc. DH took our 2 to a gig and a magician last week. Anything resembling a bedtime went completely out of the window!

Yes, a NW women's day would give you a taster, or what about Spring Harvest? Means you don't have to camp (bu then I love camping!)

interesting you don't fancy the udea of thousands worshipping together - I love it, seeing all these people together who believe the same as me praising God. seeing 500 5-7 year olds worshipping in a cowshed was pretty darn special I can tell you. Last night the theme was Jesus is the Light of the World, and at the end all the children were given glow sticks to wave as they worshipped. I was standing at the back (DH and I were on team), an dwatching the little glowing sticks as the children praised was a real sight to behold. So many stories of children and adults being touched by God. Amazing! (Had a fantastic time, can you tell?!) Knackered now though!

madhairday · 06/08/2011 19:22

Panda :) DS was still wearing that glowstick as a bracelet when he climbed into bed exhausted last night after getting home. So special. :) He has been amazingly blessed in that cowshed this week!

DD's best friend who we took along had a sore eye on Thursday, it was red and weeping. She was prayed for in Boulder Gang and it cleared. How awesome.

One story from New wine south: A kid in Rock Solid (8 and 9 yr olds) prayed for one of their leaders and prayed for 'their scars' (this leader covered up so the kid couldn't have known) Turned out she self harmed. Anyway she had a shower and when she came out the scars had disappeared. Nada. :)

All that kind of stuff. And just the meeting with God. I didn't get healed. But I met with God. And that's more than enough for me :)

MaryBS · 06/08/2011 20:33

New vicar is lovely, MHD, things are going well so far, thank God!

The REALLY scary thing about the diocesan, Nickel is that he knows my name already (and he's only been in post a few months!)

Talking of Taize, Nickel, I put together an Advent Taize and I wrote a reflection on Isaiah, called "Isaiah and Mary" where I imagined Isaiah and Mary talking to each other, you might find it useful for Advent? Can also send you the whole service if you'd like?

newlark · 08/08/2011 11:38

Marking my place :) Would love to go to Spring Harvest sometime - maybe when the children are a bit older as dh wouldn't want to come and I 'd probably enjoy it more if I wasn't trying to stop my nearly 3 year old destroying everything and disappearing every time I took my eyes off him for half a second Grin

Original poster
nickelbabe · 08/08/2011 12:10

I think the reason I find it weird when there are so many worshipping together is that I grew up in a very secular atmosphere - basically, we went to church, but noone else did, which meant that being religious was a Bad Thing, and seeing lots and lots of people worshipping Out Loud in a crowd seems like the opposite to what I understand to be normal Confused

but yes, I agree that NW women's day could be cool.

Glad you're enjoying your new vicar, Mary
Our bish also learns names, and it's really scary when he knows them all!
I would love to see the Advent Taize service, yes please. :)

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MaryBS · 08/08/2011 13:16

OK emailed it...

Funnily enough I always feel uncomfortable in events that are held purely for women!

madhairday · 08/08/2011 13:21

The womens days are lovely Mary - you'll have to come. Maybe we should have a mini MN meet at the New wine Women's Day next year?

here

Nickel, I suppose one reason I find everyone worshipping together like that so amazing is the sense of togetherness it brings - so not necc normalising it in secular terms but bringing that whole I'm-not-on-my-own thing to it. The kids really get that from their programme too. It's incredibly empowering.

Up to my neck in to do lists for moving but not achieved too much this morning apart from paperwork. Must get on....

Original poster
nickelbabe · 08/08/2011 13:30

thanks Mary, I'll have a look. :)

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DutchOma · 08/08/2011 17:47

Just a reminder about the meet-up here. If there is anybody who would still like to come and has not had the directions, please pm me and I will send them out.

thanksamillion · 09/08/2011 13:32

Hello all, as ever just checking in as have visitors... this time a techie team who are setting up the internet cafe in our new youth centre. They leave on Saturday and we'll be visitor free for the first time since the start of June Shock. Loving reading about NW and slightly Envy

madhairday · 11/08/2011 21:22

Hellooooo...

Quiet here.

Hi milly! You always sound so busy.

Still reeling from NW (in a good way) :)

In packing mayhem. The house looks so wrong now. New house looking great, all decorated. Just want it over with now. the goodbyes have gone on long enough and I'm cried out :(

Our farewell service was amazing, so lovely. Time to move on now. 4 sleeps to go.

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