Awake My Soul: My First Year as an Episcopalian, Part 3 November 15, 2011
Posted by Matt in Awake My Soul.Tags: changing churches, church of christ, liberal theology, St. Timothy's Episcopal Church
trackback
I’m trying to keep focused as I drive down the road
On the ditches and the curves and the heavy load
Ain’t bitchin’ about things that ain’t in my grasp
Just trying to hold steady on the righteous path
(“The Righteous Path”, The Drive-By Truckers)
After leaving the CoC, we took a few Sundays to stay at home, clear our heads, and ponder on our spiritual future and whether or not it would involve a church. By this time, I was notably angry and frustrated, feeling as though I had been burned time and time again for not fitting the correct mold, and I would have been perfectly happy to spend my Sunday mornings sleeping in and leisurely reading the newspaper. (Later I came to realize that I was as much of the problem in those past churches as the small bands of people who made life miserable, but that’s another story for later.) But, having kids complicates things and Diana was not ready to throw in the proverbial towel, so I commenced to research different types of churches, hoping that maybe, just maybe, we might find something that would fit the ideals we held dear.
It soon became clear that when you hold a very progressive theology in the suburbs, your choices diminish a great deal, despite the fact that there is literally a church at every corner. I was interested in mainline denominations, mostly because I was so unfamiliar with them, so my study tended to that branch of the Christian tree. We pondered for some time on this, but soon the first stop became clear. I looked at the liberal theologians I enjoy: Marcus Borg, Bishop Spong, and others; and realized they were connected with one particular group: The Episcopal Church. My thought process when as follows: If they let THESE PEOPLE in, then they’ll have to be cool with me. So, I did a quick search through the Yellow Pages, found that there was one near our house, and made the suggestion to the family that it be the first stop in our search for a church home.
That Sunday we walked into St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church completely ignorant and unaware of what lay before us, with a sense of both excitement and trepidation, wondering what foreign activities the next few hours might hold. Upon our approach to the building, we first took note of the ornate artistic detail, from the stained glass to the pieces of art adorning the walls, to the candles and colors. It was almost overwhelming when compared to the purposefully drab worship spaces of our past. We found our way to the CAB (i.e. Family Life Center, i.e. Fellowship Hall) where we caught the end of the priest, Patrick, playing and singing a song on his guitar for a group of children. He was about our age and clad in his clerical clothing and collar atop his blue jeans and tennis shoes. I nodded my approval to Diana and she smiled apprehensively. He noticed us right away and gestured to us to “Hold on” before he even completed the song. As soon as it ended, he set his guitar down and made a beeline over to us, hand outstretched in greeting. We introduced ourselves and told him a quick history of ourselves and looked at us, eyes wide and mouth agape, “You came here?”
“Uh, yeah,” I slowly answered.
“Wow, man, that’s far out. Just remember, if you look up and you don’t know what the hell’s going on, don’t worry about it. Just ask somebody, they’re all cool.”
And just like that we fell in love with The Episcopal Church.
To be continued…
Reading your posts have made me a little weepy, but glad. We left St. Tim’s because we felt the situation there was unhealthy for us, but it still feels a bit like home. We miss our church family. I suppose time will tell. However, I knew leaving was the right decision when the acidic stomach and headaches went away. Church shouldn’t leave you feeling lost, nauseated and in pain!
I am very glad the Wisdoms are happy, though. God speed.
I love your church too. They are so kind and loving. Mom
Wow, Matt, I’m so impressed by your courage to be this honest in these last few posts. I’d probably be run out if town if I was as honest about my journey and beliefs as you. Maybe one day I’ll get up or the courage or maybe we’ll just move…
We miss you Susan, but we’re happy that you’re happy.
Thanks, Mom, now you need to get Dad to visit sometime.
We love you guys, Lisa! If you want to move, I suggest the Memphis area.