Shaaron
I love the United Church of Canada
Posted on: 09/06/2010 22:06
I love the United Church of Canada. I love our people. I love the singing and I love singing along. I love the old stuff and I love the new stuff. I love listening to a minister who knows so much more than I do and I love learning from him/her. I love that we include everyone. I love that I can say, "I'm United. We love everybody!" and I love saying it with pride.
I love the smell of a well-used sanctuary. I love the old photos of people from way before me. I love our coat of arms plaque. I love the Alpha Omega letters on the pulpit cloth. I love to watch baptisms. I love to see everyone come together to put on a play or to serve delicious food. I love staying around after the service to have a glass of juice and a cookie or two even though I'm rarely spoken to.
I love to see the young with the old together. I love to see traditional families and gay families there all under the same roof, worshipping the same God, who loves us all.
- Login or register to post comments
- Add new comment
Search
Comments
jon71
I wish there was a U.C.C. in
Posted on: 09/07/2010 07:28
I wish there was a U.C.C. in my neck of the woods.
MorningCalm
I love the Fellowship of
Posted on: 09/07/2010 19:41
I love the Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist Churches in Canada. I love our people. I love the singing and I love singing along. I love the old stuff and I love the new stuff. I love listening to a pastor who knows more than I do and I love learning from him. I love that we include everyone. I love that I can say, "I'm Baptist. We love everybody!" and I love saying it with pride.
I love the smell of a well-used sanctuary. I love the old photos of people from way before me. I love our logo. I love to watch real baptisms, that is to say done by immersion. I love to see everyone come together to put on a play or to serve delicious food. I love staying around after the service to have a glass of juice, a sandwich, some pasta or ethnic food, and I'm often spoken to.
I love to see the young with the old together. I love to see families there under the same roof, worshipping the same God, who loves us all.
chansen
Jae wrote: I love that I can
Posted on: 09/07/2010 20:25
I love that I can say, "I'm Baptist. We love everybody!" *
Witch
I always get an invitation to
Posted on: 09/07/2010 21:15
I always get an invitation to the Baptist BBQ. They even save me a special stake...
Just curious JAe.... any reason you couldn't write your own post?
GRR
Shaaron wrote: I love the
Posted on: 09/07/2010 22:52
I love the United Church of Canada.
What a terrific post Shaaron.
Too often, I think, UCCan folk beat themselves up with feelings of inadequacy for not doing "more" (and never quite defining what "more" is, so it can never be done) instead of celebrating their inclusive walk with God as you've done here.
I had the pleasure of preaching at an anniversary service not long ago. The first time I've done so since my illness last year. The church, or at least the congregation, is 135 years old. And I said pretty much what you've said here (only it took me longer - grin) - that we should celebrate the communities that exist within our walls, past, present, and future. And their connections to the communities beyond the walls. Places of connection and hope. Not perfect, to be sure, but trying just the same.
Thanks for a real lift.
David
Shaaron
.. wrote: Shaaron wrote: I
Posted on: 09/10/2010 22:58
I love the United Church of Canada.
What a terrific post Shaaron.
Too often, I think, UCCan folk beat themselves up with feelings of inadequacy for not doing "more" (and never quite defining what "more" is, so it can never be done) instead of celebrating their inclusive walk with God as you've done here.
I had the pleasure of preaching at an anniversary service not long ago. The first time I've done so since my illness last year. The church, or at least the congregation, is 135 years old. And I said pretty much what you've said here (only it took me longer - grin) - that we should celebrate the communities that exist within our walls, past, present, and future. And their connections to the communities beyond the walls. Places of connection and hope. Not perfect, to be sure, but trying just the same.
Thanks for a real lift.
David
Shaaron
GRRR! I don't know how to
Posted on: 09/10/2010 23:00
GRRR! I don't know how to do the quote thingy so just pretend I quoted the "Thanks for a real lift" and I'm now saying "thank you"!
Katschen
Witch wrote: I always get an
Posted on: 09/11/2010 15:31
I always get an invitation to the Baptist BBQ. They even save me a special stake...
Just curious JAe.... any reason you couldn't write your own post?
Yes, Jae seems to be doing this more and more...intruding in other peoples posts to sabotage positive things into negative. Tiresome, very tiresome. And yes, Chansen, I too had to laugh at the "Baptists love everybody" line...sure, right.
Great thread though.
MorningCalm
Katschen wrote: Yes, Jae
Posted on: 09/11/2010 15:36
Yes, Jae seems to be doing this more and more...intruding in other peoples posts to sabotage positive things into negative. Tiresome, very tiresome. And yes, Chansen, I too had to laugh at the "Baptists love everybody" line...sure, right.
Great thread though.
Hi Katschen,
You are mistaken. There is no sabotage. I have written no ill words for the United Church or Shaaron's love for it in this thread.
Has it not been said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Peace in Christ.
Motheroffive
Shaaron wrote: I love that we
Posted on: 09/11/2010 15:46
I love that we include everyone. I love that I can say, "I'm United. We love everybody!" and I love saying it with pride.
I love this, too. Although I'm also mindful of the thought that we aspire to it rather than achieve it perfectly.
Thanks for the thread, Shaaron.
seeler
Thanks Shaaron - we all need
Posted on: 09/11/2010 17:06
Thanks Shaaron - we all need a reminder of the good things now and then. I too love the UCC, for the same reasons you do, and for my own personal reasons too. I love that the UCC recognizes my gifts and talents and licenses me to lead service now and then (although nine weeks in a row this summer was a bit much). I love our world view, our connectedness, the fact that I can visit a UCC from coast to coast and hear a similar message from the pulpit, probably based on the same scripture readings on a particular Sunday. And I love the support that my home congregation has given my family during our time of need.
We need to stand up and remind ourselves of the good things now and then.
seeler
A suggestion for Jae - I
Posted on: 09/11/2010 17:08
A suggestion for Jae - I think your post would have been better received if you had started a separate thread saying why you love your church and if you had written your own thoughts rather than copying someone else's.
Now, back to topic. Let's hear it for the UCC!!!!
Rev. Steven Davis
What Jae wrote was perfectly
Posted on: 09/11/2010 17:36
What Jae wrote was perfectly fine and did not derail the topic, since the topic was an individual's expression of love for their church. It could perhaps have been more original, but if it encapsulated Jae's feelings, so be it.
As to me, I don't love the United Church of Canada. I believe that would be idolatrous. The United Church of Canada is the place I have been called to exercise ministry. I respect the United Church of Canada. I honour its polity and its heritage. I do not love it. I love the God who called me into it. I love the Jesus who is its foundation. I love the Holy Spirit who is its power.
RichardBott
Hmmm... Steven... can you
Posted on: 09/11/2010 17:49
Hmmm... Steven...
can you tell me a bit more about "idolatrous", in this instance?
I love my home. It's a place of warmth and caring, a place of safety, a place of quiet (at times) and a place of playful noise (at others).
I love the space, what it means to me, and who it helps me to be, but I don't worship it.
The same with the good ol' UCCan. I love the space, what it means to me, and who it helps me to be - a child of God and disciple of Christ.
Can you help me to understand how 'love', in this case, can be idolatrous?
Christ's peace - r
blackbelt
Rev. Steven Davis
Posted on: 09/11/2010 18:19
What Jae wrote was perfectly fine and did not derail the topic, since the topic was an individual's expression of love for their church. It could perhaps have been more original, but if it encapsulated Jae's feelings, so be it.
As to me, I don't love the United Church of Canada. I believe that would be idolatrous. The United Church of Canada is the place I have been called to exercise ministry. I respect the United Church of Canada. I honour its polity and its heritage. I do not love it. I love the God who called me into it. I love the Jesus who is its foundation. I love the Holy Spirit who is its power.
and I Love your posts rev
blackbelt
Well I Love Jesus and I love
Posted on: 09/11/2010 18:22
Well I Love Jesus and I love To worship Him!
Rev. Steven Davis
RichardBott wrote: Hmmm...
Posted on: 09/11/2010 18:44
Hmmm... Steven...
can you tell me a bit more about "idolatrous", in this instance?
I love my home. It's a place of warmth and caring, a place of safety, a place of quiet (at times) and a place of playful noise (at others).
I love the space, what it means to me, and who it helps me to be, but I don't worship it.
The same with the good ol' UCCan. I love the space, what it means to me, and who it helps me to be - a child of God and disciple of Christ.
Can you help me to understand how 'love', in this case, can be idolatrous?
Christ's peace - r
I may have been a bit harsh with that word, Richard. However, I've known people from all sides of the theological spectrum who use the phrase "I love the United Church." For those on the conservative/renewal side it's "I love what the United Church used to be and I want it to get back to that"; for those on the liberal/progressive side it means "I love what the United Church stands for now 'cause we're so cutting edge and with it." When those conversations break out (and I've been present at them on both sides) I rarely here God mentioned; I rarely hear the name of Jesus brought up. It's far too easy to slip from loving one's church into letting one's church displace God, so that the church becomes the centre of faith rather than Christ. I'm not accusing anyone on this thread of that; I'm simply saying I've seen it happen. I would prefer people to "respect" the church and to "love" the God who empowers it. I'll concede that perhaps I should have said that such language "could become idolatrous" rather than "would be idolatrous."
I also think the word "love" is so commonly used today that it's become virtually meaningless. I "love" ice cream. I "love" the Toronto Maple Leafs. I "love" Survivor. I "love" the United Church. I "love" my family. I "love" God. I think maybe we need to do what the Greeks do and have different words for different types of love.
seeler
So loving anything but the
Posted on: 09/11/2010 18:42
So loving anything but the Trinitarian God is idoltrous. I guess I'm guilty. I love my church. I love the Bible. I love the most recent novel I read for the book club. Come to think of it I love the book club.
I don't worship these things. I don't believe in them. But I do love the UCC. It is my home.
Rev. Steven Davis
seeler wrote: So loving
Posted on: 09/11/2010 18:48
So loving anything but the Trinitarian God is idoltrous. I guess I'm guilty. I love my church. I love the Bible. I love the most recent novel I read for the book club. Come to think of it I love the book club.
I don't worship these things. I don't believe in them. But I do love the UCC. It is my home.
In truth, seeler, I'm not sure that we should "love" any inanimate objects - a denomination or the Bible included. I think that loving the "community" that is the church is different and fine; I think that loving the living Word of God (which is greater than the words on the page) is fine. To "love" the denomination or the book I think can become problematic.
seeler
Rev.Sephen - I didn't attack
Posted on: 09/11/2010 18:51
Rev.Sephen - I didn't attack Jae so I don't think you need to jump to his defense. His post seemed to have generated negative comments. I made a suggestion that it might have been better if he had started a new thread in praise of his own church and that he use his own words.
Back on track - I guess I also love the fact that as well as unity there is diversity within the united church. In this small city i have six different congregations to choose from. Some of them are known to be much more conservative than others. The one I have chosen as my church home is known for its street outreach and for its promotion of adult education, as well as for welcoming the gay and lesbian community.
Rev. Steven Davis
seeler wrote: Rev.Sephen - I
Posted on: 09/11/2010 18:58
Rev.Sephen - I didn't attack Jae so I don't think you need to jump to his defense. His post seemed to have generated negative comments. I made a suggestion that it might have been better if he had started a new thread in praise of his own church and that he use his own words.
Of course, I didn't say that you attacked Jae. I simply said that I thought this was an appropriate forum for him to post in.
Back on track - I guess I also love the fact that as well as unity there is diversity within the united church. In this small city i have six different congregations to choose from. Some of them are known to be much more conservative than others. The one I have chosen as my church home is known for its street outreach and for its promotion of adult education, as well as for welcoming the gay and lesbian community.
So, basically, we're in agreement! You love the unity and diversity of the church which is essentially the same as saying you love the people. So do I!
Now, since I wouldn't want to be accused of "de-railing" anything, because that seems to be the latest "cause" here on Wonder Cafe, I shall absent myself from further discussion on this thread.
blackbelt
seeler wrote: Rev.Sephen - I
Posted on: 09/11/2010 19:27
Rev.Sephen - I didn't attack Jae so I don't think you need to jump to his defense. His post seemed to have generated negative comments. I made a suggestion that it might have been better if he had started a new thread in praise of his own church and that he use his own words.
I interpreted the OP as the love of ones church, Jae's post was perfectly fine under that interpretation .
I also see the negative comments towards Jae's post , uncalled for.
MorningCalm
blackbelt wrote: I
Posted on: 09/11/2010 20:15
I interpreted the OP as the love of ones church, Jae's post was perfectly fine under that interpretation .
I also see the negative comments towards Jae's post , uncalled for.
Thanks seeler, Rev. Stephen, and blackbelt.
RichardBott
Hi, Stephen - I agree that
Posted on: 09/11/2010 22:52
Hi, Stephen - I agree that "could become idolatrous" would have been a better choice, and I agree that 'love' is overused. I guess, though, that I'd want to point out that equating 'love' with 'worship', which would move into the territory of idolatry, becomes problematic when 'love' is appropriately used.
I love my partner. Part of the difference between that love and the love I have for God is that I don't worship her. If I let that love move into the territory of worship then, yes, I'd be making an idol of her. (As I type this, I keep thinking, "I'm going to be in soooo much trouble when she reads this." *grin*)
I hope that if I started worshipping The United Church (or any other human institution) people would tackle me about it pretty quickly. Fortunately, I know they'd do it be cause they care about me!
By the way - if conversations like this are 'derailing' then I'm going to keep on derailing threads in the Cafe. When the OP talks about love, and the use of that word raises flags for someone, it's more than appropriate to talk about it. It's unfortunate that the Drupal module being used for the forum doesn't allow threads to more easily branch off, rather than having to start something completely new, but that's the difficulty of choosing any thread.
Christ's peace - r
Katschen
blackbelt wrote: seeler
Posted on: 09/12/2010 19:19
Rev.Sephen - I didn't attack Jae so I don't think you need to jump to his defense. His post seemed to have generated negative comments. I made a suggestion that it might have been better if he had started a new thread in praise of his own church and that he use his own words.
I interpreted the OP as the love of ones church, Jae's post was perfectly fine under that interpretation .
I also see the negative comments towards Jae's post , uncalled for.
All of you are welcome to state your views; but if Jae's views are ok, then those of us who felt otherwise, can also state our views.
The problem on this site seems often to be battles between those who feel they can 'mouth off' and be negative, derail others posts or otherwise be agressive --and then become outraged and offended when it comes back at them--and those that will stand up to their nonsense.
My views are just as valid and worthy as Jae's. Take care!
Shaaron
At the risk of adding more
Posted on: 09/12/2010 19:24
At the risk of adding more fuel to the fire ... lol ... here are some more thoughts on our United Church of Canada:
I love the way it makes me feel! I feel like an important part of something important. I feel uplifted and joyous. I feel hopeful. I feel like part of a community that is truly trying its best to do the right thing although we may not know exactly what that is. I especially feel supported and encouraged to question and challenge and respected and accepted when I do.
That's all I have to say. Today. lol
crazyheart
I love the United Church of
Posted on: 09/12/2010 21:04
I love the United Church of canada - so there - put that in your pipe and smoke it. Thanks Shaaron for your opening post.
Shaaron
crazyheart wrote: I love the
Posted on: 09/12/2010 22:26
I love the United Church of canada - so there - put that in your pipe and smoke it. Thanks Shaaron for your opening post.
But I quit smokin', Crazy Heart! *wink*
crazyheart
LOL@shaaron
Posted on: 09/12/2010 22:27
LOL@shaaron
Mendalla
I think there's a lot to like
Posted on: 09/13/2010 13:16
I think there's a lot to like about the UCC. It's where I grew up and taught me a good, useable set of values. At it's best, it can be as open and diverse as UU'ism. It generally embraces a positive version of Christianity that focusses on living in this world rather than the somewhat negative sin-oriented version that is focussed on the afterlife. Do I love it? I generally won't use the word "love" about an institution, so I'd say I like it a lot rather than that I love it.
If I like it so much, then why don't I go there? I also like UU'ism a lot and find it still has some things to offer that I'm still not finding in the UCC, most importantly the diversity of spiritual sources. Could I change some day? Sure, but it's not imminent.
Mendalla