Dec 27, 2023·edited Dec 27, 2023Liked by Susan Campbell
I, too, am lonely for "like-minded believers." Like so many, I have not found that community in a church for many years. Here is a little bit from my Christmas Eve post here on Substack (I hope it is okay to share here, if not, feel free to delete). Maybe it will resonate: "For me, Christmas Eve has always been imbued with possibility and miracle. It still is. I still believe. Several years ago, on a night between Solstice and Christmas, I had a dream. ....the dream was full of threat, fear, and struggle until the very end, when the sky above me cleared, the vast star-filled universe came into focus, and the voice of wisdom told me that Christ is always being born into the world in us, and when we realize this, we lose our illusions (and fear) and see what is real, and true, and important. When that happens in us, we begin to pray with our hands, and feet; we raise our voices in songs of hope, not for the world to come, but for this world we are a part of. The world needs our transformation; it needs Love to become incarnate in us. It needs this now."
Powerful, heartfelt words. Your experience reminds me of Holy Trinity Mission Church in Hartford. The Archdiocese tried to close it but we parishioners spoke up and we are still open and serving those in need. On Christmas Day hundreds were served sit down meals at linen lined tables and offered coats if they needed them. No questions asked, no preaching done. Just a warm welcome to the throngs of homeless, needy people in the capitol city of one of the wealthiest states in America! I know I am repeating myself but dogma, sects, et al defy the words proclaimed at the Sermon on the Mount! The world is hurting and we need love, sweet love.
Seems like the people most into talking about doing that are always grabbing the judgment parts, in the role of Judge. Which is of course (almost always) easy, as above the fray.
I read yesterday (somewhere online - unfortunately I didn’t write down the authors name) “These days I believe less in dogma and more in the doggedness of love.” Susan, hoping and praying for your journey to be filled with many more moments of grace and welcome.
So glad you took the plunge and walked through the doors! I know what that peculiar sense of loneliness from missing church feels like. Congratulations on finding a place where you were welcomed--that’s not as easy, even during Christmas these days, as it should be. Healing from church trauma and rebuilding faith after deconstruction takes time and effort. It sounds like you are on that journey. Prayers for finding the places, people, and ways of experiencing God that will help you along your path.
I, too, was moved to go to church on Christmas Eve for the first time in many years. It's not the closest Episcopal church, but it's the one that serves "dinner for a dollar" every Friday night, and it's in a smaller, very modest building that probably used to be the Congregational church long ago. I was spotted and greeted by one parishioner and by the priest, who introduced himself as "Bob." He began his sermon by saying that Luke probably wasn't giving a journalist's account of the night of Jesus's birth. I never heard that from the pulpit before, as far as I recall. I will be going back for more.
Nice story. Being welcomed personally makes a good impression. That is the way our priest, Father Jacobs is. He personally approaches new people he sees, introduces them to other parishioners. Makes the Gospel relatable. No pomp and circumstance, no holier than thou...just the old fashioned howdy neighbor approach....
The custom in Harrogate Methodist churches is to distribute the sermon through the service in a tripartite structure segmented by hymn-singing. I've heard it done really well twice. The Fourth Advent instance was not one of those twice times, though the first third was so good I was very anticipatory.
The pastor emphasized the advent of Jesus as an instance of newness and change, which I'm certainly all about, and which I realized is sadly underplayed in my experience of Advent and Christmas sermons. (He also opened the issue of people fearing change and wanting to avoid it, and I wish he had taken it anywhere.)
I'm so glad you were comfortable for Christmas Eve, and got to sing. I didn't go to a carol service, but to an ordinary Fourth Advent service at an English Methodist church. I love singing about Jesus who "abhors not the Virgin’s womb"-- it strikes me as screamingly funny, as a fair few hymn lyrics do.
And as my holiday gift to you, I am restraining my instincts to talk about my reading of Christian or religious history/ies, or about theological and doctrinal differences between Lutheran denominations. Which, also, I am sure you know all about.
Ha. Sermons from me have the weight of a mouse fart. But thank you. I’m just flailing around. I am still thinking about how if we can’t love our enemies’ children…
In case anyone wants to know, I found the quote I referenced in my comment. It’s by Becca Stevens in an Instagram post reflecting on her years as a priest (Episcopal tradition, I think) It’s part of a longer post - worth reading, I think.
“I care less about dogma now and just want to practice the doggedness of love” Im glad I looked it up because I misremembered - it’s not believing in the doggedness of love - it’s practicing it. Just what Deacon Art said - our lives are the sermon.
I’m so glad you went in and were greeted and welcomed. That is what church should be for everyone who goes.
I have always loved Christmas music and sang it all the time growing up.I was proud to have memorized the verses. I have avoided church because of Covid and the idea of singing indoors with a crowd of people. So I listened to our church’s service on my cell phone while making au gratin potatoes. I did get my in person fix this year at an outdoor Carol sing and it felt great!
See? Lutherans aren’t that bad (says this lapsed Lutheran who left organized religion years ago for essentially the same reasons you note here). I hope your Christmas was merry, Susan, and send best wishes for a happier 2023.
I, too, am lonely for "like-minded believers." Like so many, I have not found that community in a church for many years. Here is a little bit from my Christmas Eve post here on Substack (I hope it is okay to share here, if not, feel free to delete). Maybe it will resonate: "For me, Christmas Eve has always been imbued with possibility and miracle. It still is. I still believe. Several years ago, on a night between Solstice and Christmas, I had a dream. ....the dream was full of threat, fear, and struggle until the very end, when the sky above me cleared, the vast star-filled universe came into focus, and the voice of wisdom told me that Christ is always being born into the world in us, and when we realize this, we lose our illusions (and fear) and see what is real, and true, and important. When that happens in us, we begin to pray with our hands, and feet; we raise our voices in songs of hope, not for the world to come, but for this world we are a part of. The world needs our transformation; it needs Love to become incarnate in us. It needs this now."
Oh! That is beautiful. Thank. Can you share your Substack link here?
Thank you Susan. I write a short (1-2 minute read) each morning. I call these reflections "Lauds." I hope they resonate. https://melinarudman.substack.com?utm_source=navbar&utm_medium=web&r=6pq5c
Wonderful. Thank you.
Beautiful Melina. We should have coffee again…in the coming New Year?
I would like that very much
Powerful, heartfelt words. Your experience reminds me of Holy Trinity Mission Church in Hartford. The Archdiocese tried to close it but we parishioners spoke up and we are still open and serving those in need. On Christmas Day hundreds were served sit down meals at linen lined tables and offered coats if they needed them. No questions asked, no preaching done. Just a warm welcome to the throngs of homeless, needy people in the capitol city of one of the wealthiest states in America! I know I am repeating myself but dogma, sects, et al defy the words proclaimed at the Sermon on the Mount! The world is hurting and we need love, sweet love.
Knowing scripture is easy, living scripture however…
Seems like the people most into talking about doing that are always grabbing the judgment parts, in the role of Judge. Which is of course (almost always) easy, as above the fray.
Amen.
I read yesterday (somewhere online - unfortunately I didn’t write down the authors name) “These days I believe less in dogma and more in the doggedness of love.” Susan, hoping and praying for your journey to be filled with many more moments of grace and welcome.
I love you, Sister Donna.
So glad you took the plunge and walked through the doors! I know what that peculiar sense of loneliness from missing church feels like. Congratulations on finding a place where you were welcomed--that’s not as easy, even during Christmas these days, as it should be. Healing from church trauma and rebuilding faith after deconstruction takes time and effort. It sounds like you are on that journey. Prayers for finding the places, people, and ways of experiencing God that will help you along your path.
Oh, thank you!
You’re welcome! (And keep us posted on your journey, some of us might accompany you at least part of the way!)
I’d like that very much.
Thanks Susan… as a recovering Catholic I appreciate your internal battle …this Christmas seems tougher…so much hate by those who are supposed to love…
I think that’s what moved me into the church that night. So much hate when there’s supposed to be love.
I, too, was moved to go to church on Christmas Eve for the first time in many years. It's not the closest Episcopal church, but it's the one that serves "dinner for a dollar" every Friday night, and it's in a smaller, very modest building that probably used to be the Congregational church long ago. I was spotted and greeted by one parishioner and by the priest, who introduced himself as "Bob." He began his sermon by saying that Luke probably wasn't giving a journalist's account of the night of Jesus's birth. I never heard that from the pulpit before, as far as I recall. I will be going back for more.
Same here. I’ll be back. It was welcoming, lovely evening. And isn’t it odd we both chose to do this?
Nice story. Being welcomed personally makes a good impression. That is the way our priest, Father Jacobs is. He personally approaches new people he sees, introduces them to other parishioners. Makes the Gospel relatable. No pomp and circumstance, no holier than thou...just the old fashioned howdy neighbor approach....
I have found that any church that doesn’t know it is filled with hypocrites seeking to be made whole, doesn’t understand their own fragile humanness.
It was Dietrich Bonhoeffer who said something like.
A Christian should live their lives in such a way that nonbelievers question why they don’t believe.
Your sermon dear friend, is how you live and love honestly.
Thank you. I mean that.
The custom in Harrogate Methodist churches is to distribute the sermon through the service in a tripartite structure segmented by hymn-singing. I've heard it done really well twice. The Fourth Advent instance was not one of those twice times, though the first third was so good I was very anticipatory.
The pastor emphasized the advent of Jesus as an instance of newness and change, which I'm certainly all about, and which I realized is sadly underplayed in my experience of Advent and Christmas sermons. (He also opened the issue of people fearing change and wanting to avoid it, and I wish he had taken it anywhere.)
I'm so glad you were comfortable for Christmas Eve, and got to sing. I didn't go to a carol service, but to an ordinary Fourth Advent service at an English Methodist church. I love singing about Jesus who "abhors not the Virgin’s womb"-- it strikes me as screamingly funny, as a fair few hymn lyrics do.
And as my holiday gift to you, I am restraining my instincts to talk about my reading of Christian or religious history/ies, or about theological and doctrinal differences between Lutheran denominations. Which, also, I am sure you know all about.
May the New Year be good to you!
Amen!
Wonderful sermon Rev.
Ha. Sermons from me have the weight of a mouse fart. But thank you. I’m just flailing around. I am still thinking about how if we can’t love our enemies’ children…
♥️
It's sad how often belief structure interferes with what might be called "faith" - whatever that ineffable state may be.
Faith without action doesn’t appeal to me.
In case anyone wants to know, I found the quote I referenced in my comment. It’s by Becca Stevens in an Instagram post reflecting on her years as a priest (Episcopal tradition, I think) It’s part of a longer post - worth reading, I think.
“I care less about dogma now and just want to practice the doggedness of love” Im glad I looked it up because I misremembered - it’s not believing in the doggedness of love - it’s practicing it. Just what Deacon Art said - our lives are the sermon.
Perfect.
I’m so glad you went in and were greeted and welcomed. That is what church should be for everyone who goes.
I have always loved Christmas music and sang it all the time growing up.I was proud to have memorized the verses. I have avoided church because of Covid and the idea of singing indoors with a crowd of people. So I listened to our church’s service on my cell phone while making au gratin potatoes. I did get my in person fix this year at an outdoor Carol sing and it felt great!
How wonderful.
See? Lutherans aren’t that bad (says this lapsed Lutheran who left organized religion years ago for essentially the same reasons you note here). I hope your Christmas was merry, Susan, and send best wishes for a happier 2023.