Safe haven chat thread for believers

[Starwisher]

I thought it be lovely to start a" safe haven"thread for all the believers on mumsnet. It doesn't matter what religion or spirituality you are, the important thing is a belief in God or higher power that unites us.

The idea is too talk with other believers to share ideas, thoughts and feelings or even general musings.
So come in and relax!

please can I respectfully ask that this is not a debating thread to challenge people. While I am not the mn police, there are other threads to debate on or please start your own. This is a safe haven

TheGreatestmadhairDayinHistory, I got chucked out glared at until I left a service at our CofE church when ds1 was a toddler. He was too young for sunday school. I felt really rejected and left in tears. The place was full of nasty old ladies, stuck up types and heathen who were just there to have their babies christened in a pretty place

hidden, it makes me so to hear that - so sad too. Yet it happens again and again. No wonder you left in tears. Did I read you're a catholic now? What do you find to be the differences? I'm interested, as we are fledgling church here!

Yes, I was baptised Catholic, but not raised as one as I was in care. I visited a couple of Catholic churches when I was in my early 20s, but didn't bother much after life took over during my middle 20s and 30s. I used to go to the CofE church because dh is CofE, but never felt at home or even very comfortable there. I can't describe it, I just didn't feel like I belonged at all. I started going back to Catholic church after Pope Benedict visited and it just felt so right straight away. It felt familiar and happy and I felt at home straight away. It's been like that ever since and I had my first Catholic communion about three weeks ago now. No ceremony was involved, I just had confession the week before and then joined in like I'd been a Catholic all my life

The differences that I've found are that the CofE services tend to reflect the personality and views of the Rector (apart from the Cathedral services which are very high church), whereas the Catholic services are pretty much the same no matter which church you visit. I find the Catholic church very Christ centered and you feel that through the rituals they have, whereas the CofE is more fluid and variable. I like the rituals and knowing where you are. I tend not to need endless stimulation or creativity in my worship, I'm happy just doing the same thing at each Mass. That might not suit everyone I suppose, but I feel more secure and happy.

I always felt that the CofE church was trying to be different each week and keep the congregation entertained (esp. the family service), whereas I feel that I'm there for God in the Catholic services - it's not about me and how entertained I am, it's centered around God and serving Him ifyswim. Perhaps that's harsh, but it's just how I felt. I must have still had a Catholic mindset when I was visiting the CofE church. I never did get over how they were when ds1 was a toddler. It just felt stuck up really.

I do like the CofE Cathedral services. It's a beautiful place and I like traditional services. I'm too shy and conservative to relate to trendy stuff in church

Sorry, posted too soon.

What kind of church are you founding? Is it a new building, or are you taking over an established place? How do you attract new folk?

That's really interesting hidden. I'm so glad you've found somewhere that feels right.

I like the CofE probably precisely because I like fluidity and creativity in worship. I am fully fledged charismatic but prefer to label myself post-evangelical as I don't like the right-wing ideas often associated withe the label evangelical. I'm happy to be happy clappy [bugrin] but can appreciate the richness of tradition too.

We are in the C of E so the church will be necessarily of some kind of c of e flavour, but hopefully not at all like a common or garden c of e church - it will perhaps retain some richness of liturgy, and the set up of it, leadership etc. At the moment we're early in the post. Dh is ordained so just finished his curacy, where we did some similar stuff of setting up new services etc. So no building, no established place. New housing estate with no church presence, and brief to start a church! It's hard, and tbh it's v v tough in these early days, but we're forming a team, and forming relationships, and trusting God.

Wow, that's quite a challenge for you both. Must be exciting though.

jjkm, I mean mainly the associations with the American far right, so intensely homophobic, anti women, gun toting, abortion clinic storming etc etc - basically the name evangelical has often come to mean a narrow outlook without love. While I know jolly well that's not its meaning in any sense I prefer not to be associated in people's minds with this kind of stuff so like to push boundaries of labels etc. But I'm stroppy like that [bugrin]

...however I'll not give up the label 'charismatic' because I believe it is a desciptor for someone living their life with the guidance and presence of the Holy Spirit. I know for some again this word has under (or over) tones of nuttiness and OTT behaviour but I don't care too much about this, being perfectly happy to be seen as nutty in the love of my God :)

Glad you have found a way which suits you too - always love it that we are all created so differently. :) My friend is LDS and one of the loveliest people I know.

I had a fantastic time last night.

Chose the Confirmation name of Martha (after St Martha) and was anointed.

Beautiful service.
Happy Easter all xxxx

I am currently church hunting - trying to find one that feels like home!

Hard though as the Methodist one I tried first wasn't nice. Maybe my expectations are too high!

What happened at the Methodist one blobtobetter?

I am always curious about how other churches are.

blob have you tried googling The Alpha Course? I haven't done it but from what I've heard it's good at looking at and exploring beliefs. You'l be with others in the same boat on the course.

You can also just try out local churches to see what feels the best "fit".

I did that and amazingly the best "fit" for me was the Catholic church and faith yet never wouldI I have predicted that.
It's about what feels right for you.

I used to be at a church I loved and was an active member of then I moved, now I'm in a. church where the preaching either bores or enrages me and I have no Christian friends. :( I miss having Christian friends. I should join housegroup and do church work but my work keeps me out on evenings and weekends. It's not 9 to 5. Any advice???

I think you'll only make Christian friends if you join another church greencolorpack You need to shop around and see what else is going on in your area.

Sophie I do know what you mean but human nature being what it is, I do think it's possible for someone to accept a task, spectacularly fail and have to "repeat the year" . I also think that, yes, in this world, accidents and genetic mistakes happen but I also think that souls enter a body thus affected in full knowledge of the challenge they are accepting. The amnesia that besets us at birth means that we don't know it's a challenge and can well fall prey to the pettiness and failings of the human condition. But we should rise above it.

Sorry, I know the conversation had moved on but did want to answer Sophie on that point. but am aware I could be talking a pile of rubbish.

hi! Wasnt sure about this thread so quickly skipped to last page to see if people have started bashing eachother in yet, but was nicely surprised.

I used to call myself an evangelical christian but trying to distance myself from that now as it seems to have very negative connotations, but my background is still charismatic, happy, lappy, guitars, drums etc, and love it.

What are we suppsed to be saying here AIBU?

Your not talking rubbish, Chip. I am not in a good place, will be back to speak when I am in a better place. I do like reading this thread.

Soph, sorry to hear you're in a bad place. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Xx

Nokissy, this is a lovely thread. Do stay! And be as evangelical as you like!

Good morning all, peace and blessings to you all on this wet day xxxx

Hiddenhome - the people were just really unfriendly and the lady that decided to introduce me to people said awful things behind their backs. Just didn't feel like a happy place. Plus I would prefer a church where there are at least a couple of people my age!

Codandchips - the alpha course is at that Methodist church! I don't know that I need to go to church but, with my family and friends being non-believers, it would be nice!

Good morning :)
Sophie hope you are feeling happier very soon.
Welcome nokissy :)