It’s Not Easy Being a Church
Six-word photo story challenge: Freestyle
What do you think of this?
It’s not easy being a church.
Or Synagogue, Mosque, or Temple.
What does God want?
Who gets a say in interpreting Her words, images, and commandments?
What about you?
What do you need from a place of worship?
To be affirmed?
Soothed?
Awakened?
Uplifted?
Enlightened?
Challenged?
Entertained?
Left alone?
One block east of this church is another that refused to call a lesbian pastor.
One block west is a church that has broken with its parent denomination to call a lesbian pastor.
One block north is a church with an American Flag in the sanctuary and a consciously colorless generic welcome sign.
Three blocks south is our community’s Food Pantry. It serves hundreds of neighbors every week.
That’s what its clients are called: neighbors.
I’m one of about a hundred volunteers. The Pantry is the creation of a coalition of local churches. Our community has no Synagogue or Mosque, but it does have a small Buddhist temple that is part of the pantry group. The Pantry’s work, culture, rules, and language, “neighbors,” are consistent with the church's message in the photo. The volunteers are taught not to judge whoever comes through the door.
I was raised a Roman Catholic — one of my aunts, Sister Marilyn Thomas, was a nun for seventy years until she died five years ago at 103. I had lunch with Aunt Fawny and other nuns hundreds of times at her convent. These blessed women showed me the best of what religion offers on earth.
Just as the Food Pantry does.
The daily news shows us religion at its worst. And the worst is very, very bad.
Can a religious institution be as open, accepting, and generous as the door image suggests?
The world suggests it’s more challenging than it should be.
What does God think of this?
Hermione Wilds Writes - Writer and editor wrote a poignant story.
