Let's set the ground rules for this one off the jump. First, I don't agree with the UU's on theology at all. I mean, I could write on and on about theology and doctrinal differences but that's not really getting me anywhere. We know that your Reverend is a devout Christian and isn't looking to change his stripes. So what I'm going to do is to relate the experience and how it came off to a new guy. And really, what can the Church learn from them?
This morning I was joined by my good friend, Tricia, who actually recommended the place to me. I picked her up and we were off.
We arrived just in time for the service (which is good for K-Towners, we're perpetually late) and found a seat near the back. My first impression was the place looks church-ish, although I'm not quite sure what I thought it would be like (big posters of Obama and Marx?), I guess I didn't expect it to look like "church". It was a pretty modern looking place with several classrooms for children's classes.
They started off with some announcements and then sang a song, Enter, Rejoice and Come In (a Christian hymn washed of the word "Lord"). What was funny was that before the song started, the leader said that they wanted to sing and shout but when the song started, a somber piano played and the congregation barely spoke up. Um, party on?
Unfortunately for this Sunday, they did not have a regular preacher. I knew from their website that they didn't have one yet but that the new guy was starting. However, I got the date wrong and we didn't get to see the new guy. Doh! He starts next week.
However, some of the leaders had went to a UU conference recently so each of them stood up and spoke about what they learned and how it went. They spoke about things like social justice, adults and teens working together and leadership. It was pretty okay but I did have a little trouble choking down the uber-liberal theol. . . Wait! I said I wasn't going to talk about that!
Afterwards, we sang another song, which included some off rhythm clapping and tamborines. What are you gonna do with a place full of whitey's? And then it was done.
But this is where they really shined (churches, take note). These were some of the friendliest and most inviting people I have ever met. Several people came up to us, introduced themselves, asked our names, and told us a little about their church. All of them talked a little about themselves and asked about us (everyone thought we were a couple. Gross! Tricia's like my sister! Ew!).
Apparently, after each service, they meet for fellowship over some coffee and snacks. This is a great way to get people together and keep the congregation together. Normally I'd skip this part of the service but they were so friendly, and Tricia was up for it, that we stuck around for it.
The service was a little weak, with a sub par worship service, but they really tore it up on the inviting factor. And really, that's one of the most important factors at a church. You can have right doctrine and a fancy building, but without some friendly people, forget it. You fail.
Would I ever go back? Heck no. The Rev believes that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God who died for our sins, not in this "We're all one with the stars and trees and tigers and rivers and all the stuff of life" (a direct quote from their bulletin). However, if I was on the fence with my beliefs, and was looking for a place to belong, this would be a very tempting place. In fact, I think that Tricia is going to go back again to check out their new preacher.
Churches of Christ, you have been warned.
With love and peace for the trees and goats,
Rev.
You should go back too. Maybe in a month or so after the new dude sets some stuff up.
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