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

mybabyweightiseightyearsold Have you ever considered visiting the Quakers? They're very open and tolerant. My music teacher is one. You don't have to be Christian. If you have faith, but you're not into an organised religion as such, then they might be an option. You could always just go along for a visit.

tummy if your dh looks at you and thinks of Jesus, then you must be doing something right

Babyweight can you find a local Alpha course. They should be open and friendly and open to any questions you have no matter how improper!

We are very lucky with our church - they are very easy going, and have 4 services on a Sunday so you can pick one or two that are appropriate (8am, 2 services which have childrens work or family service, and a teenager/adults service)

Do you have many churches to choose from in your area?

No, I don't think I am very good at imitating Jesus it is just on his mind! Crikey! That sounded a bit big headed of me!

My trouble when I was looking for a church was finding one that had a regular family service, my dc are 1 and 3 so may fidget a bit. I gave up in the end as I got confused. Am in Northampton if anyone knows any :)

@ tummy

Butterflies are giving me, ehm, butterflies...

Though, I do feel a bit of a wobble - that sort of psychic stuff...dunno, makes me feel a bit uneasy.

But, I get the butterfly thing.

Shiver
x

Just leave it up to him MaryZ. Don't force him, or he might become resentful and railroaded into something he's not sure of. 13 is young and he's find his beliefs changing, waxing and waning over the coming years anyway. Let him come to it naturally through his own inclination. Christianity isn't so much a religion as a relationship with God through Jesus, and, like all relationships, they can't be forced. Hth

sorry, he'll find his beliefs. I'm on the fruit cider, so anything might happen

Perhaps he might like to talk to the priest?

let it slide Mary, if he wants to marry in church later he will get confirmed then.

Maryz I am on this thread as I believe but am confused, so please feel free to ignore my reply.
I would let him choose. 13 is old enough to know how he feels and as he has been not going to church for 3 years he sounds quite sure.
I agree speaking to the priest may be a good idea.

Don't beat yourself up about it MaryZ. Teens question things, it's normal. I keep expecting my ds1 to turn away from it all at some point. I'm surprised that he still wants to be confirmed, but he won't get up on Sunday mornings to go to church. If your ds has had a shock due to the suicide, then it's bound to make him question. Try to persuade him to talk to the priest about his feelings.

MaryZ - sorry for your ds1 - that must have been really hard for him, and you all.
I agree with the advice you already had, get your ds2 to talk to the priest. He can come back to it anytime. It can be very difficult to believe that God has a plan for us all, especially when difficult stuff is happening. But God is there waiting for your ds to come back to him, when he feels ready. Is he still coming to church with you?

Hope you and your ds manage to find a way through it MaryZ.

It doesn't sound as if he doesn't believe.

It sounds like he does but is angry with God.

[busmile]

Mary, if it's Catholic confirmation, I am sorry to say that I don't think my ds1 or ds2 would have bothered but for the money! Not suggesting money as a persuading factor , BtW!!but I do think a lot of teens don't find any meaning in religion. And I can relate to your concentrating on ds1 and not putting time in with ds2. My ds1 has ADD and has to be micro-managed. Ds2 has dyspraxia and probably needs as much help but in a different way and ds1's teachers shout louder. It's not the end of the world and I truly believe that faith in itself is of less importance than leading a good life and being kind to others. God didn't make us to be a bunch of sheep who follow the crowd, he won't be surprised if one or two of his children are skeptics.

And I will, say, Mary that a girl in ds1's school committed suicide earlier this year and it has had a profound effect on the children in her year. Tonight I went up to dd's grave and there was a young lad standing at the girl's grave. He was there when I got there and still there when I was leaving. I was worried about him but didn't like to intrude and am now wondering if I should have.

Maryz, confirmation will be there when and if your DS chooses it. And think of how brilliant it will be for him Confirm when he truly means it. Try to see it as something amazing waiting for him in the future rather than disappointment that he won't "go with the flow" at the minute.