Choirs, worship songs, after service coffee - the all new religion chat thread

[niminypiminy]

A new place for us to share the lovely, silly and annoying things that happen in church life and share our great love of Graham Kendrick.

Had to share this from Sally Hitchiner on facebook this morning... Beautiful.

HOLY SATURDAY 15th April 2017
.
Today is the day when nothing happens.
The drama of Good Friday is over
the adrenaline and business has run out.
There is no Easter Sunday today.
.
Today is the day for all those who live this
empty, in between time... those who have lost
loved ones they no longer see,
those who have lost jobs
and have no light of budding new vocation,
those who live with chronic illness and no sight of healing,
the broken hearted,
the unemployed,
the falsely accused,
the bereaved.
.
God is yours today.
God the Son is far from God the Father's eyes,
the Trinity is strained, the tomb is sealed.
There are no words.
Nothing can be done.
We can only be in this moment.
As God is with us, and makes this day...
Holy.

• Sally Hitchiner

Beautiful words double, I do like Sally hitchiner.

Bootygirl I completely empathise, being in the same boat. Don't usually post links here but you might find my blog of help thinking about illness and healing and everything in between. With love.

greatadventure-liz.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/the-day-of-hopelessness.html?m=1

Sorry that's one post I did today but there's loads about illness etc if you have a search through.

God is with you.

madhairday thank you 😊

I was in the hospital yesterday and everyone in my little congregation wanted me to pray for them to get better. My experience of praying for healing is that healing comes in many forms. Sometimes the healing seems to involve something inner such as the courage to forgive or to take a long hard look at destructive behaviours. It is hard. My lovely patients are so ill I find it really hard. Oddly enough we discovered that one chap who can be difficult has a stunning voice so we sang hymns together with no accompaniment yesterday in a chapel with an unexpectedly good acoustic. His care worker was as stunned as I was and went back and told all the nurses. So today I hope he is Stan with the voice and not Stan who goes wandering. A healing of an attitude towards him perhaps?

That's lovely Greenheart my dh, when visiting someone with Alzheimer's was really struggling to get through, he was doing a home communion and feeling like he was making no impact. Then he started to sing a hymn and suddenly the person joined in full voiced with a broad smile, dh said it was like the sun came out and as the hymn went on the person began to cry but still smiling. Dh still says it was one of his most profound moments of ministry and such a privilege.

Then you for your insights guys.
I ve had a difficult few days physically but I don't feel resentful. This is perhaps a form of healing?
I know that things could be worse. I do need to try and get back to caring for myself as my 2 teen DS have been very difficult they have ADHD & Aspergers. And this has taken its told on me mentally & physically. But thankfully DH will be home end of May.
I have been very fortunate to have met some lovely ladies who have been praying for them. That is a blessing. I ve also got closer to my sibling.
I think I will pray for healing.

Would anyone have any suggestions for scripture ect that would be more relevant?

double I'm so sorry you feel unsupported by your church [hugs]
I don't know the answer but I pray that they'll see you in your grief.

I enjoyed reading that from Sally, and I'm glad mhd posted hers, because it moved me greatly when I read it.

booty you felt the holy spirit, which is amazing - healing isn't always about what you expect - your prayers could have been given the answer of inward strength and courage to get through your surgery and help your recovery. As you know you can't be cured, that the surgery will be a pisitive thing is what you're aiming for, I think. Hold onto hope [hugs]

I've had a mixed week/end....
Maundy Thursday at the church in canterbury, sang in choir and it was lovely - hard to take in with all the odd traditions but I did enjoy it.
Dh did their good Friday service (singing) because I was helping with other-church's good Friday easter event, which went really well and was very enjoyable.
Easter day, we all went off to Canterbury church, E seems to love it there and she's very welcomed - we again had been invited into the choir.
that was mostly disaster as lots of new music i'd never done before so messed up a lot , but it was okay because the atmosphere was lovely :)

One thing that amuses me for Easter Day is that, the last hymn is always Thine be the Glory, so you think same hymn every single year since dot, the feeling should be "do we really have to sing this again" going through the motions type singing, but it strikes up and we start, and you catch someone's eye, and they're grinning broadly, and you're grinning, and everyone in the building is singing with excitement and gusto and it's just such an anazing experience Nothing can match it (although a descant might be nice because it's rather low and it's hard to sing the extra-loud last verse without shouting)

The bad part of the week/end was that team rector (who is also area dean) came back with the conclusions of the complaint and the CWs have basically just shrugged it all.off with making out they're blameless.
Apparently because dh took his shoes and music and didn't play any christmas services, and that because his post was unpaid and voluntary, they assumed he'd just "left" and because "they" didn't mention sabbatical and because they needed to replace him, that was all fine.
We weren't given any extra input in order to rebutt every single one if those claims and I'm furious about it.

Ah, I should have done the good bits after.

Thank you nickle.

Sorry 😐 things were nt resolved the way you hoped.

I've not given in.I've told team rector how unhappy I am with that pile of bullshit.
I replied to his email - several paragraphs of very strong writing without using any swearing. [proud] saw him on Thursday evening - first thing he said was "I know you're pissed off" all that refraining from swearing!

Anyway, happy stuff.

Dh is playing fir a service (paid) at the church where we sang the crucifixion - that's on Sunday.
tonight he's had a phonecall from the organist at the 5 parishes asking him to play for him on Sunday evening.
Basically, the church we went to on palm.Sunday morning, dh knows the (sub)organist there from the kcoa, and we ended up telling him (and wife) the whole story. They were not impressed. So he's mentioned to his ndn (5 parishes organist) that dh is now available.

Dh is a very well-liked, popular person - he's really laid back, so this could be a Bad Thing for Church because people will assume it must be horrendous for dh to come to leave. The grapevine will most likely not be kind.
Of course, I'm conflicted with feelings and thoughts, because where I want justice (and therefore the leadership team to step down and be replaced), I don't want anything bad for them as people.

Oh nickel it's so hard and you're being very nice and reasonable! I would be wanting justice too. You've been treated shockingly:( glad you enjoyed the Canterbury service though and DD did as well. I love how you describe singing thine be the glory. Beautiful. We sang Crown him as our last hymn on Sunday which was awesome as well although they used the organ rather than the band which obviously is Wrong we did, however have the band the rest of the service and some awesome songs which I love.

I do love that we're all so different here

Hello I've just found this, so I thought I'd pop along and say hello. I've spent the morning reflecting over the weekend and praying. I came across this prayer and was going to share it with some others I speak to, but I thought I'd share it here too. God bless you all +JMJ+ I pray you have had the best weekend possible, if you've not made it to church, perhaps you have reflected or intend to reflect on what happened. I usually consider the Stations of the Cross, but will add extra for what happened before and after the crucifixion. I pray sincerely that you all look upon this as many do in January as a time to reflect on your life and to make, what I guess some would call resolutions to change something or to have a goal that you wish to achieve.

I like to recall the events that took place and reflect on them. So to summarise:

1. Jesus calls his disciples together
2. Jesus washes their feet
3. The Last Supper Commences, where Jesus orders Judas to do his will
4. Jesus prays in the gardens of Gethsemene, whilst the disciples are meant to keep watch, but fall asleep several times
5. In return for 30 pieces of silver Judas betrays Jesus
6. Jesus is bought before the High Priest who sends him to Pilate who can find no reason for death. They opt to release Barrabus over Jesus as is custom at Passover.
7. Jesus is sentenced to death by crucifixion, he is mocked & beaten by guards and is given a crown of thorns to wear as King of the Jews
8. Jesus is given his cross
9. Jesus falls for the first time
10. Jesus sees Mary in the crowd
11. Jesus falls a second time, prompting them to ask someone to carry his cross
12. Jesus is given a cloth to wipe his face by Saint Veronica
13. Jesus hears the wailing of women, to which he says, weep not for me but yourselves and your children
14. Jesus falls a third time
15. On reaching the point of cruxifixction Jesus is stripped
16. Jesus is nailed to the cross
17. Mary his Mother, Mary his Aunt and Mary Magdalene weep at the foot of his cross. Jesus is given wine to drink from a sponge.
18. Jesus succumbs to his torture and dies
19. The apostles remove Jesus from the cross, where he is cradled by his Mother
20. Jesus is carried to a new tomb, laid to rest by Mary
21. In fear of any miracles the tomb is sealed and Guarded
22. The tomb is opened and Jesus is not there
23. Angels appear to most Blessed Mary and Mary Magdalene who are both distressed. In some accounts they see Jesus, in others the angels tell them to tell the Apostles that Jesus will visit them
24. The Apostles see Jesus and he quotes scripture advising of his resurrection, they realise who he is and it's realised he's risen from the dead
25. Judas gives back the money which is put to charitable uses, he then hangs himself

The prayer I found:

Go forth, Christian soul, from this world
in the name of God the almighty Father,
who created you,
in the name of Jesus Christ, Son of the living God,
who suffered for you,
in the name of the Holy Spirit,
who was poured out upon you,
go forth, faithful Christian.
May you live in peace this day,
may your home be with God,
with Mary, the virgin Mother of God,
with Joseph,
and all the angels and saints.

Blessings to all

Hi all,

This thread looks interesting.

I went to a dawn eucharist service on Sunday, it was marvellous. The church lit by candelight was very special.

On the Saturday I was at Guildford cathedral, Jo Wells gave me a blessing (I'm not confirmed so can't have holy communion) and it brought tears to my eyes.

Before Christmas I was a big fan of Dawkins...I don't know whats happened.

Welcome Fairytales and thanks for your Triduum thread too.

Alice Welcome. I was a proper full-on atheist until 2 years ago, so I understand your confusion! All I can say is God does things you are not expecting. It's a brilliant journey if you're up for taking the first few steps - sounds like you have already.
One of the things I found strange (big confession here, sorry to all of you long-standing Christians) was that I sort of assumed that everyone Christian would be a bit, well, odd, or socially inept or something- I know, awful, sorry guys - but you could not hope to meet a nicer bunch of people (well not all obvs trying to pretend the US southern baptists don't exist ). That goes for the RL people as well as the MN church.

nickle I don't know what to say. I'm glad you can enjoy all the good stuff, and I'm sorry you're still dealing with so much shit.

My Easter was so good I had a complete crash Sunday afternoon. I don't think it was a sugar/ chocolate induced one just too much of a high, so it had to come I guess.

Back to the grind now, but a little more conscious of God's presence. 😍

Edd no offence taken. I'm glad you think we're all pretty nice after all!

Alice, welcome, so pleased to see you here. Love that you felt touched emotionally at the cathedral service. If you'd like to share any more about your journey and where you are right now we'd love to hear and journey with you

Welcome fairy tales and thank you for your thoughts

How are you today nickel?

I'm enjoying a few days away from the grind. Not too well but well enough that resting feels good rather than hard work if that makes any sense.

Sames! I expected people to go on and on and on about Jesus, but they don't. If anything they are less likely to answer annoying theology questions than I ever thought.

As a rule I rarely bring up my faith unless I know I'm talking to a person that has faith and it's relavent. For example if I saw Edd on another thread I wouldn't start spouting Theology/Philosophy. People like Dawkins give us a bad name, I take my faith very seriously, but it doesn't mean I ram it down anyone's throat.

I know what you mean about expecting Christians to be weird - I felt the same. Mostly because I hardly knew any. (Although of course there are strange people in churches but they're outnumbered I hear there are even nice Southern Baptists_ ) I too was a staunch atheist who turned into a Christian. It's as if God was standing g by my shoulder waiting for me to notice him, and then, of course, once I did there was no going back.

We like chatting about theology on here - as well as all the other strange and wonderful and annoying things about church life.

nickel that sounds like pants and so hard. But glad that there have been some good times recently too.

Oh, and MHD - sorry to hear you're not well again. Rest well

Thanks niminy

I love hearing about stories of journeying from atheism to faith. I don't remember a time I didn't have faith so it fascinates me. There were times I tried my hardest not to believe but could never quite manage it. Niminy, when you say it was like God beside you waiting, what did it feel like? And for you, Edd ? Was it like a sense of nudging or calling or being wooed somehow - I know my dad says he was very reluctant but it felt like God pursued him and he couldn't help but make a choice to follow.

I remember describing it at the time - to the vicar who baptised me - as being like God tugging at my sleeve and not giving up until I turned towards him. I remember very clearly walking into church for the first time and thinking 'what on earth am I doing here' and 'this is weird and awful'. But somehow I found myself going back ... and going back. It's a bit like setting off from the centre of a town and walking through parks and streets and suburbs and stretches of green and then industrial estates and then more bits of green and then housing. The town doesn't have a neat end so there's no moment when you think 'I'm leaving the town and entering the countryside here', but there does come a moment when you know 'I am definitely in the countryside'. It was like that with being a Christian. I don't know when I crossed over from not believing to believing, but one day I knew I was definitely there. But it was a long process and especially at the beginning (although in bits all the way through) I'd find myself thinking 'am I mad? how can I really believe all this?'. It's just that God really wouldn't give up and, yes, like your dad, in the end I couldn't refuse to follow him any more.