Tuesday, June 12, 2007

I hope you are sitting down for this...

I have a few memories of going to church when I was young. I still have the Bible the Baptist church gave me when I was five. I remember my Grandmother doing the craft part of vacation bible school. As we got older, my Dad would take my brother and I to church. At that time we attended a non-denominational church. My parents were divorced soon after, and I never went to church with my family again.

In high school, I started dating a guy whose family were devout Catholics. They attended St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Lake Ridge, Virginia. In 1992, the priest there attracted national media attention with a stigmata on his wrist and statues of the Virgin Mary that weeped. On many occasions, I attended mass with him and his family. It was very different from the churches I had grown up in.

Fast forward a bit. Ray and I were married in a Baptist church. Once in a while, we would attend a service at a Methodist church close to home and one that friends went to. We swore when we moved to North Carolina we would find a church to call home and attend.

At the girls' school, they pray before they eat. Not a bow your head kind of praying, but they sing a song where they thank God for their food. If not for us, we wanted to attend church so that Ashley and Audrey would understand and be able to make choices on their own about church and God and religion in general.

So Sunday was it. One of the saxophone players in the band with me is a Pastor at a local Baptist church. He has asked me a few times to come to his church to check it out. So we did. It was nice, a small church with an older population. Billy, the Pastor, has told me they are trying to bring in younger families. Everyone was sweet and friendly and Ashley really liked it. Audrey, not so much. The service we attended was at 11:00am, and she normally goes down for a nap around noon, so by the time we picked her up from the nursery, she was upset and tired and cranky.

We are planning on trying out a Methodist church in the area with neighbors as well. We are happy we finally got off our butts and tried the church, and I am glad that Ashley enjoyed the experience.

20 comments:

Happy Working Mom said...

Hey, why don't you bring the girls up to VBS at our church? My daughter really needs another girl to play with and I'm sure she and Ashley would get along great :) What's driving 8 hours each week?

Good luck with the church hunt. We recently tried some different churches and it's not fun. But once you find one it will be worth it!

Anonymous said...

Hunting for a church is a lot of work, but worth it. I need to get back into going.

Mel said...

Amy, that is terrific! I grew up in the church, but when I moved away from home became disconnected from it. As the kids get older I have had a pressing desire to get back involved at least for their sake. I agree that our children should have a knowledge about God to be able to make their own informed decisions as they grow up. We have been lucky and found one that meets all of our requirements and Dylan loves it. I have to admit though that we have been a little lazy in getting there regularly the last couple of weeks. Maybe your post will give a kick in my butt to get there this week. Good luck in your search!!!
Mel

Julie said...

We spent years trying to find the right one - we'd get on a kick and try out 3 or 4 for a few months, then "fall off the wagon" and then a few months later start it all over again. About 1 1/2 years ago we found one we like - happens to be Methodist but we tried all different varieties (I know there is a better word but I can't think of it!) - and joined. It's nice to now have a home church - even if we don't go as much as we should.

Rachel (Crazy-Is) said...

We found a church that we really like, it's small but not too small. The girls love going, but we definitely don't go as much as we should.

Good luck finding one that you guys love!

3XMom said...

We have struggled with this as well. We want the kids to have this exposure, but actually going every week (or even few weeks) has been difficult. I keep trying to commit to doing it, but so far haven't done it. Maybe this will inspire me.

Portrait of Peter said...

I am in the same position of searching - and have checked (2) and intend to extend a little further over the next coming Sundays.

Good Luck in your search.

Lost A Sock said...

That's great! We are somewhere or other in our church search. It's not easy, is it? I hate to say it, but I'm not even positive what religion I want to cling to anymore. But like you, for the kids if nothing else.

That Chick Over There said...

Good for you!

I firmly believe God doesn't care what church you go to, as long as you show up.

Hell, I think he doesn't care if you don't show. Or if you say hell, apparently. :)

That Chick Over There said...

Oh, and I was raised Baptist. My husband was raised Episcopalian. He went to an Episcopal school for most of his life. We were married by an elder from in a non-denominational ceremony. So we've ran the gamut.

Scribbit said...

Interesting post. Hope you find what you're looking for, having a church that you like is important.

Anonymous Fat Blogger said...

I keep saying that we'll get back in the habit of going to church but we haven't been since Christmas. Oh the guilt. Time to get my butt back there.

CPA Mom said...

You know I'm a cradle born Catholic. I left the church for a spell, married TWO Southern Baptists, divorced one, was widowed by the other (though we attended a wonderful Methodist Church together - that is where we met Jane and Andy). HP is Catholic which I made sure before I dated him. I was tired of not being on the same page.

That said, we've not been to church in a very long time. And I think we are switching again this fall!!

And Methodist- by far one of the BEST religious affiliations I have ever seen/been a part of. Southern Baptists - not ONE good memory.

frannie said...

I'm glad that it went well--- mostly!

I hope that you find what you are looking for!

ChrisB said...

I was brought up to attend church regularly but stopped when I left home. I encouraged my own children to attend our local church when they were growing up. I confess I am not a regular attender. I do hope you find a church that your family enjoy attending.

Isabel said...

What a lovely post.

I've gone to church every Sunday my entire life. It's a life style for us. It's our culture. I love it.

That being said...why does church ALWAYS land in the middle of nap time? It's killing me!!

SJINCO said...

I was raised Baptist, Keven was raised catholic. During my lifetime I've visited many churches, but currently I don't go at all.

I've considered going back 'for the kids' because I think they should have the exposure, and as well a choice in the matter when they grow older.

I hope you find a place where you feel at home, and I hope your girls enjoy it.

And I so remember 'that time' in regards to Elizabeth Ann Seton. Good times, good times!

Emma in Canada said...

The stamp camp I attended yesterday was held in my demonstator's church. And what a kids program they have! It was like a construction zone, somehow tied into God. There were lots of classrooms and it just looked like such a happy place to be. That's one thing I find difficult about my church- it's not at all child friendly. Which is why i never go.

Sabrina said...

Hey Amy, let me know when you're checking out the methodist church, we're looking at that one also :)

Jennifer said...

I have had some interesting times taking Zach to church...me, the one that is so mad at god.... but what ever I take him to church sometimes and I wind up sitting in the kids room with him but it's ok
I think if I even walk through the doors god knows he better do something quick I am desperate.... LOL