Today was the first Sunday of Advent in our new church and I took a few picture to capture the experience of the day. It’s going to be great season leading up to Christmas. We are glad to be at St. Peter’s Episcopal in Chattanooga.
Today was a special day at church where my wife and I were confirmed into the Episcopal Church. I am blessed to be in a place that values people and shares Christ to people of all walks of life. Our Bishop came to confirm four people, preach and deliver the Eucharist.
St. Peter’s and the greater Episcopal church allows me to believe with my mind, heart and soul. We are connected with the global Anglican communion which excites me being an Anglophile and all. I am grateful the church has helped me appreciate the power of scripture in worship. Now, as I begin my life in a new place of worship I am looking forward to sharing with you what I discover.
These are some shots of things at church. The sanctuary where we worship, a banner featuring the keys of St. Peter and artwork featuring Jesus and Mary. Our new church home is a place of inspiration and love.
On Sunday we are starting a confirmation class at a nearby Episcopal Church we are interested in. This class will help us know more about the local church and the greater Episcopal church. It will last six weeks and could lead to us joining. I am excited about getting started and seeing what God might have in store for us. We have been visiting some churches locally but are settling down for awhile. It should be fun.
I have thought the problem with the church universal is that people know what it’s against versus what it’s for. There is the problem a lack of grace and love among its believers. There is also a problem with some seeing people as sinful before getting to know them. I know many gay and lesbians who are some of the best people of faith who have a calling on their lives too. One man I know is one of the best scholars on scripture I know.
There is also the problem with many in the church thinking they are above sin and can cast judgement on the lives of others and they see no speck in their eyes. I personally think the church needs to figure out inclusion because the LGBTQ community isn’t going away and the church could be stronger with some diversity. I am of the opinion that everyone is imperfect and there are loads of people who aren’t doing what they need to do to live with others in a faithful community. Jesus prime directive was to love one another as I loved you.
Having been a church goer most of my life it’s always interesting to see who sits up front and all the way in the back. Everyone has their own comfort zone and that sort of thing but the whole thing fascinates me. To me the closer you are to the action up front the more you get out of it, kind of like being in a school classroom.
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