Christian chat thread continued

[Dutchoma]

A place to share and chat about our funny (and not so funny experiences) in and out of church.
Did anyone say coffee? That would be good

Ooh lovely c&f.

And huge congrats double

Lovely picture C&F! I hope it was a wonderful and joyous occasion.

Still feeling tired today after an emotionally exhausting Mothering Sunday service yesterday (though lots of people said it was lovely), and now have a child off sick from school. Have been recuperating by catching up with the laundry

Thanks all. Baby is lovely and squishy, though feeding is tough and relatives adding stress rather than helping! From tomorrow eve it will just be me, dh and children - hoping that will be more peaceful!

Lovely photo, candf! Hope you had a wonderful time.

Sounds a tough day, niminy, yesterday must have been hard enough without having to lead a service. hugs

Thank you it was a beautiful day. We kept it very small with just a few family. The service was lovely, very personal and just perfect.

I hope DC is feeling better soon niminy. I hope you have had a peaceful evening double and feeding becomes easier for you both soon.

Is this a place to ask questions as someone who's considering christianity?

Totally it is! Ask away! And welcome

Ok great!

What are the rules around dating as a single mother?

Is it allowed or does the bible say its best to stay as a single parent?

I don't think there are rules as such - at least there certainly aren't in my church! Jesus certainly took marriage very seriously and viewed divorce negatively. But then at the time divorced women were among the poorest in society and men could divorce women almost at the drop of a hat (not the other way around, though!), so he was actually trying to seek justice and protection for women.

He didn't have anything to say about dating as a single mother but I think you could say that Jesus wants us to take relationships seriously. Of course that's very important when you have a child as when introducing a new partner to your child you need to put their emotional needs and security first. When Jesus tells us that we should 'love our neighbour as we love ourselves' he means that we need sometimes to put their needs first. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't date!

Catching up! Congratulations double! And what a lovely picture cish

I don't think the Bible had anything to say about dating as a single mother Spinach. I think the church has made massive strides from 20 years ago in terms of offering support rather than judgement-dressed-as-guidance to people having relationship difficulties. I know at my church there are quite a few single mothers, I'm in a same sex relationship and we have a child, there's a male couple who are considering adoption.

Spinach you can be whoever you are, as long as you are kind and compassionate and considerate and loving and generous, if you want to date, date.
I was reminded by the Spirit today that this is what is important x

Can I join in? Recently returned to the fold after some serious straying. Almost finished Alpha Course and feeling much more positive - fascinating journey.

You are very welcome bathsh3ba. Would you like to tell us a bit more more about the kind of ‘flock’ you now belong to?
There are cheeky questions about your preferences: organ or worship band, hymnbooks or overhead, vestments or jeans, and what do you think about Graham Kendrick. I’m not sure I got these all right, whatever your persuasion you are very welcome here.

I dropped off the thread somehow and missed you all.

Congratulations on the new squishy baby, doubleg.

Hi all. I am CofE which doesn't tell you a great deal! I go to a very friendly and supportive village church in a beautiful 12th century building. I think I am probably an eclectic mix of evangelical (which I never thought I would be) and High Church traditions. I prioritise a close relationship with God and an awareness of the spiritual world but also fellowship and helping others. I am equally happy at a BCP Communion or a lively family service. And I think I only know one Graham Kendrick song. Do I pass?!

Sure, Baths3hba. Would you like a tea or a coffee? All Fairtrade of course.

Coffee please! And are there any biccies going?

Hello bath always biccies going.

Where did you hide them Cish as I could only find some stale Digestives?

Have you tried the pretty gift boxes dutch this may or not be where we stash all the goodies at home so DC'S don't find them it does save us from raiding the treat cupboard only to be greeted with a stale digestive.

donates some jammy dodgers

They won’t last long. Watch the vicar!

Why is it the more you do at church the more you are asked/expected to do and it is a continuous cycle??

Dragonnoodlecake are you feeling overly taxed? I think a small pool of people are willing and capable and they end up being asked to do more.

It's the same in any small community, I think. I've been involved in various groups and the ratio of "those who can do what they say they will do" to "those who don't have time and / or will stand there helplessly looking on and can't follow an instruction if it's pinned to their nose" is smaller than it should be. It doesn't matter what the group's aim or cause is, the ratio remains more or less the same.

I agree, generally volunteers are few and far between so tend to get jumped on but remember it's ok to say no.

I just wanted to share I have applied to be a street pastor in my local town and am going on my first observation after Easter. Has anyone else done this? Fairly small place with mainly drunkenness, antisocial behaviour and homelessness as issues.