Denominational angst and Christina Rossetti
It was far too hot today--or yesterday now, I suppose--but things had cooled down nicely by the time I had to walk to Bible study this evening. It was suddenly cloudy, and the sky looked like something out of a Rococo ceiling.
The study was excellent, as usual. I've found a really wonderful group of Christian women here. Odd as it is, I think I'll have a harder time finding supportive, challenging fellowship at home than I have in this Muslim country. I'm particularly grateful for the timing, too, as I've been going through a bit of a doctrinal transition this year, or rather I've been coming to acknowledge a transition I've already made. I'm going to have to find a new church next year anyway, in whichever city I happen to move to--but it's looking more and more likely that I won't be looking at Lutheran congregations. That's a frightening thing to admit. I was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran church, and I've defined myself by it for the last twenty-two years. Leaving it, if in the end I do, will be difficult.
Crap, I can't even write this without tying my stomach in knots. More on that some other time.
On the upside, there are plenty of Episcopalian congregations in Chicago.
Anyway. We decided to dip into the OT tonight, and midway through I found myself mentally composing a crack!essay rethinking "Goblin Market" based on my reading of Isaiah 55:1-2 as the patter of a street vendor selling his wares. Clearly it's been too long since I took an English course.
The study was excellent, as usual. I've found a really wonderful group of Christian women here. Odd as it is, I think I'll have a harder time finding supportive, challenging fellowship at home than I have in this Muslim country. I'm particularly grateful for the timing, too, as I've been going through a bit of a doctrinal transition this year, or rather I've been coming to acknowledge a transition I've already made. I'm going to have to find a new church next year anyway, in whichever city I happen to move to--but it's looking more and more likely that I won't be looking at Lutheran congregations. That's a frightening thing to admit. I was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran church, and I've defined myself by it for the last twenty-two years. Leaving it, if in the end I do, will be difficult.
Crap, I can't even write this without tying my stomach in knots. More on that some other time.
On the upside, there are plenty of Episcopalian congregations in Chicago.
Anyway. We decided to dip into the OT tonight, and midway through I found myself mentally composing a crack!essay rethinking "Goblin Market" based on my reading of Isaiah 55:1-2 as the patter of a street vendor selling his wares. Clearly it's been too long since I took an English course.