Thoughts on a Sunday....
I haven't talked about this in depth here yet, although some of you already know because I've discussed it with you at one time or another. But I've spent the past couple of months going through the preparations for being confirmed into the Episcopal Church USA, which is the largest branch of the Anglican Communion in the States. I've finished the classes, but I chose to wait until this October for my actual confirmation because I'd rather be confirmed by the bishop in my parish church instead of the cathedral downtown. But since Episcopalians are Catholic Lite and I've already been baptized, even if it was in the Calvinist/Baptist tradition, under Anglican traditions I can still take communion and be active in the parish before my official confirmation.
So as of today, I've become part of the Altar Guild at church...which appears at the moment to consist of 15-20 really, really sweet women who are at least two decades older than me. \0/ It's kind of awesome, I have to say. And I love Eucharist so being able to be part of the preparations for it makes me happy. Plus it also means that I HAVE to get my arse out of bed and to church, even on Sundays I'd rather sleep in. And since I'm naturally lazy, responsibility is always a good motivator for me.
Holy Week's going to be crazy, though, they've warned me already, what with all the extra services. Maundy Thursday is supposed to be a blur. I can't wait. :D Seriously, there's something about taking care of the consecrated wine and wafers that just really moves me. I don't know if I can explain it. Eucharist as a whole is just a very profound, spiritual experience for me.
For the first time in a very, very, very, very long time I'm actually happy when I go to church. Even if I complain about having to get up early on Sunday morning, when I get there it doesn't feel like a chore or a nightmare....it actually feels like a celebration. And I'm in a parish that not only has a gay priest who lives openly with his partner, but also has a GLBTQ ministry. And that is awesome. Do you know what it's like to be able to walk into a church and not be afraid to say hi, I'm a lesbian? I've never had that before. It's such a change from the fundamentalist Christianity I was raised in.
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Also, I get to spend an hour every week looking at the most gorgeous stained glass windows in Boston. WHOO.
Anyway. Just thought I'd share for those who are interested. :)
Oh, also the homily today was about xenophilia. I, of course, sat there for 15 minutes thinking about Xenophilius Lovegood. Because even in church fandom slips in. Hee.
And now I'm off to find food and watch more Greek. I appear to have addicted myself to it this past week. Hm.
So as of today, I've become part of the Altar Guild at church...which appears at the moment to consist of 15-20 really, really sweet women who are at least two decades older than me. \0/ It's kind of awesome, I have to say. And I love Eucharist so being able to be part of the preparations for it makes me happy. Plus it also means that I HAVE to get my arse out of bed and to church, even on Sundays I'd rather sleep in. And since I'm naturally lazy, responsibility is always a good motivator for me.
Holy Week's going to be crazy, though, they've warned me already, what with all the extra services. Maundy Thursday is supposed to be a blur. I can't wait. :D Seriously, there's something about taking care of the consecrated wine and wafers that just really moves me. I don't know if I can explain it. Eucharist as a whole is just a very profound, spiritual experience for me.
For the first time in a very, very, very, very long time I'm actually happy when I go to church. Even if I complain about having to get up early on Sunday morning, when I get there it doesn't feel like a chore or a nightmare....it actually feels like a celebration. And I'm in a parish that not only has a gay priest who lives openly with his partner, but also has a GLBTQ ministry. And that is awesome. Do you know what it's like to be able to walk into a church and not be afraid to say hi, I'm a lesbian? I've never had that before. It's such a change from the fundamentalist Christianity I was raised in.
\0/\0/\0/\0/\0/\0/\0/\0/\0/\0/\0/\0/
Also, I get to spend an hour every week looking at the most gorgeous stained glass windows in Boston. WHOO.
Anyway. Just thought I'd share for those who are interested. :)
Oh, also the homily today was about xenophilia. I, of course, sat there for 15 minutes thinking about Xenophilius Lovegood. Because even in church fandom slips in. Hee.
And now I'm off to find food and watch more Greek. I appear to have addicted myself to it this past week. Hm.