Tag: finding church community

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Ecumenical Me

It appears that it takes more than one church community to keep me happily connected to my faith.  Sundays Dave and I attend the one (very early) Mass at our tiny nearby parish and on Wednesdays we go to choir practice (yes, I’ve finally joined).  Worship there is on a small scale, both intimate and isolating.  Although we are not having difficulty in becoming involved,  we are having more of a challenge in feeling connected.

On Thursdays and Fridays though, I hang with the Lutherans.

It all started when soon after moving here, my neighbor, Angela asked what I liked to do to keep busy.  She mentioned that her church had a prayer shawl ministry that met on Friday mornings and asked if I’d be interested in tagging along with her.  I thought it would be a great way to meet more people and to spend time doing something I love.  So, a few weeks later, I met her at Peace Lutheran and became one of the prayer shawl ladies.

I’ve heard of the prayer shawl ministry before and at one time thought about getting one going at St. Marks but my time was already too full with work, home, church and friends to find the time or focus to do so.  The concept is simple, you knit shawls and blankets for folks in the community who need some spiritual support.  As we knit, we are updated on the sick of the community.  When a project is completed, it is carefully folded and tied with a ribbon and labelled with the name of the recipient.  At the end of the session, the group gathers in the sanctuary where the shawl is draped lovingly upon a cross-shaped mini quilt rack in the center of the main aisle.  We join hands and offer prayers for all the sick and dedicated the new shawl.  The shawls remain in the sanctuary through the weekend so that the congregation can touch them and offer prayers as they approach the table for Communion.

The idea is so simple, so loving, so meaningful.  Mind you, not all of the knitters in this group are as experienced as me.  For many, this is the only knitting they have ever done so each stitch is ever so carefully and intentionally placed on the needle.   But the results are anything but second rate.  There is no pressure to rush through a project, only words of encouragement.   I can only imagine what it must feel like to receive one of these special items, so tenderly crafted for the express purpose of providing comfort, like a warm hug from the community.  I am truly enjoying my time with them and find myself drawn into the greater community through the prayer and caring for its people in a way that I seem to lack in my own parish.

Yesterday, I began a Bible study with a small group of ladies at Peace Lutheran.  Again, my friend Angela was the catalyst.   It has been a very long time since I’ve had the opportunity to participate in a concentrated study like this and I have hungered for it.  Until yesterday, I didn’t realize just how much.   The name of the course is “Jesus the One and Only” by Beth Moore.  My Protestant friends all seem to know of her but she is new to me.  It took a while to get past the more vibrant and at times down-right sappy sentimentalism of her style but her scholarship is good.  She takes great pains to going back to key Greek words and expanding the translation.  I love that!

Although this is a new group of women, I already feel a part of the community because of the insight I’ve gained from my time with the Prayer Shawl ministry.  I feel so drawn to the people in this church.  As always, I trust there is a plan for all of this.  Until the blueprints are revealed to me, I will continue in both places.  After all there is only one God and if as we believe this God is present in three persons, why can’t this presence also be in more than one church?  I’ll keep you posted but for now, I’ve got to grab my knitting!

 

 

 

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The Church Off the Map

Finding a good fit in a church community is very important to Dave and me.  Years ago, before we moved back to the mainland from Hawaii, I conducted a thorough search of area parishes to help us pinpoint a neighborhood.  I actually sent letters to over a dozen church communities to request information and included SASEs for return mail.  Based on what little replies I received, we chose our neighborhood and were happy with our choice.

When we moved back to Virginia Beach, we returned to our former parish in hopes of regaining our place in that community.  For the most part, that worked out well, although, “our place” wasn’t a held position so there was some adjusting, but nonetheless, we did find our new place in short order and enjoyed our time there until again it was time to leave.

Choosing a new parish here is not so complicated.  When we Googled Catholic communities prior to our house hunt, not so many names popped up.  In fact, in the area closest to Dave’s office, two parishes were listed; Church of the Incarnation in Charlottesville and Shepherd of the Hills in a place called Quinque.   We asked among our friends at St. Mark’s and many had heard of Incarnation and reported it was a dynamic parish with lots to offer.  On the contrary, Shepherd of the Hills was only known as a mission parish from the church in Elkton and no one knew where Quinque was.

Our first Sunday in our new home, we decided to go with the known entity and attended Mass at Church of the Incarnation.  Located about twelve miles south on Rt 29, it sits on a pretty lot on hill overlooking a Marriott Courtyard and a Toys R Us.  The worship space was modern and comfortable, the people were friendly and the Liturgy familiar.  After Mass, Dave stopped one of the choir folk to get a feel for group and was welcomed warmly.  I think it’s safe to say we would be happy there.

Last week, we decided we would give Shepherd of the Hills a try.  First, I printed out a map with directions so we could do an evening drive by.  Mapquest let us down!  Now that I look back, I think the map took us to the PO box at the Quinque Post Office instead of the actual church.  Luckily, Quinque isn’t very big so we were able to navigate ourselves to our destination with ended up being exactly five miles door to door.

To get to Shepherd of the Hills Catholic Church, you have to turn off the highway onto a winding two-lane country road.  Incredible views of the Blue Ridge are off to the right as you head round the bend where the church sits on the left.  Mass was scheduled for 8:30 AM.  On Sunday morning, with a less than ten minute drive-time we arrived about ten minute before Mass was to start.  However, people were just beginning to trickle in and Mass didn’t actually begin for another fifteen minutes or so – sort of like “Hawaii time”.  No one seemed concerned about the delay, in fact Father actually held up the procession waiting for people to be seated.

Mass was simple but complete.  The choir was in fact a duet; a woman on keyboards and another on guitar.  The worship space well lit and airy, and the tone relaxed and informal yet reverent.  As I sat there, I thought how nice it would be to be a part of this community but with such a small music ministry, I didn’t think it would fill Dave’s needs.

On our way out, Father stood at the door greeting everyone.  As I extended my hand he took it and said, “Tell me your name.”  I introduced myself and then Dave piped in.  We told him we’d just moved into the area and we were checking out the local parishes.  He smiled and said he’d keep his fingers crossed that we’d choose them.

As we drove home, Dave said he thought maybe a smaller parish would be better for us, that they looked like they could use us.  I agreed.  Plus, he said, it was such a short drive and we’re early risers anyway.  I agreed as well.  So, he concluded, we should continue to attend Shepherd of the Hills for at least the next few weeks to get a real feel for the parish  How could I argue?