easier, in some ways

[jay]

As the nominal "holiday" season moves into its more-intense mode... not just shopping and secular consumerism, but various spiritual or philosophical observances... in some ways, being on the road is easier than being at home, in that I'm not caught in-between the social and spiritual. Good friends are hosting pagan events... Yule or Solstice... today and next Tuesday. Many of my local SF-area friends are likely to be at one or both of these... if I were home they'd be unlikely to accompany me to a Christmas service, so I'd feel funny about joining their observances likewise as a non-participant guest. Even certain local parties with pagan overtones leave me feeling a bit uneasy at times, and I generally miss those that are tied to specific dates or observances. Meanwhile, even at our home church (St. Timothy's Episcopal, in Mountain View) I'm viewed there as an outsider, somewhat suspect because of my other relationships (and not allowed to serve in volunteer roles).

Last year, we stayed in CA and it felt a bit divisive or isolating around this time, for me. This year, that isn't an option... more a matter of deciding which local church to attend as visitors on Christmas. Easier, if still rather disconnected from friends and community.

Comments

[elissaann.livejournal.com]

Meanwhile, even at our home church (St. Timothy's Episcopal, in Mountain View) I'm viewed there as an outsider, somewhat suspect because of my other relationships (and not allowed to serve in volunteer roles).

Why aren't you allowed to serve in volunteer roles? That seems odd.

[coyote3502.livejournal.com]

In the mind of many Christian leaders (pastors, priests, etc.) there's a certain "moral code" which is to upheld by church members. That moral code excludes multiple relationships.

[hot-turkey.livejournal.com]

My high school was a prep school run by the Episcopal Church. After a little while there, I came to see the priests as basically politicians -- what they were doing did not strike me as particularly "spiritual" at all. I consider that exposure to the day-to-day reality of the church to be the main factor in my turning away from Christianity. I went in a Christian, came out an agnostic with Buddhist leanings.

[brian1789.livejournal.com]

There are often several possible interpretations possible of a given scriptural passage, or passages that could be construed as overriding another. In those cases, the choice of interpretations used often is driven only by the preference of the priest... which may take parish politics into account, especially not offending large contributors.

[elissaann.livejournal.com]

I would like to know whether Brian was told specifically that he is not allowed to volunteer, and who told him.

I would also be quite interested in seeing the rules and regulations of the Episcopal Church which require such a thing.

[brian1789.livejournal.com]

Yes, told so by the rector (chief priest) of the parish. Granted, it is a relatively conservative parish... see http://www.livejournal.com/users/brian1789/228326.html for background. I am not allowed to stand as a candidate for any parish body, or teach... if I protest, the rector will respond by writing a letter to have me made not-in-good-standing.

[elissaann.livejournal.com]

Sheesh. I'm disgusted by the hypocrisy of your rector. I suspect that every single person in the parish (except newly-born babies) does unbiblical things every single day. Eating pork and cheeseburgers, for example.

[brian1789.livejournal.com]

(nods) If they're going to adhere to Levitical prohibitions, IMO they should go, um, whole-hog instead of selectively choosing. There is lots of biblical polygamy, and ironically it is tolerated in Anglican congregations in African countries (who conversely won't tolerate LGBT members).

[brian1789.livejournal.com]

BTW... this rector is leaving our parish in a month, moving to a church in northern Virginia.

[tenacious-snail.livejournal.com]

*happy dance*

(I happen to find him to be a dull preacher, so while I am sad that my sweetie can't participate fully in his faith community, I also find the rector's speaking to be dissuasive of my attendance)

[brian1789.livejournal.com]

I have given up on being able to fully-participate in any given faith community, for the forseeable future. Although I find the current rector's speaking to be okay, varying from week to week...

[tenacious-snail.livejournal.com]

I think I'm a mediocre preacher. I got an A in preaching class. Perhaps this says something about how I calibrate things. (I also don't like my minister's preaching most of the time).

[elissaann.livejournal.com]

I hope that the new rector is more accepting of people's differences, and that you will be able to enjoy participating again.

I never knew the guy myself, but I think Jesus would not have turned away volunteers.

[brian1789.livejournal.com]

It will be interesting... Pat's and the kid's friends will still be there, community-wise. And the assistant priest, who will be running things in the short-term, is a woman who is even more conservative and less tolerant of differences.

Ironically, down here (Georgia) they'd both undoubtedly be considered liberals because they let LGBT folks into lay leadership positions.

[brian1789.livejournal.com]

My parish has openly gay members, who serve in leadership positions, but poly is considered too controversial.