I just wanted to wish you a happy Easter. No matter what your choice is for Church. Sometimes I really do find Church right here with the people I have grown to care about. We don't always have to go into a building to experience a community in worship. In a way, we do that by giving comfort to our friends here. So no matter what you decide, it is OK. This morning I didn't go to church, but I did call a neighbor and offer to take care their pet for two weeks this summer while they are away. Maybe in just being good to another person is really the meaning of church. I care about you too, and I hope this day finds you in good spirits. ginnie

I think God doesn't care if you talk to him at a church , or if you are at home. Just that we talk to him...
You can watch a minister on tv or just read the bible yourself.

So well put Ginnie, thank you.

Church is really more of a social get together, than a spiritual moment anymore... Always was, IMHO. (I'm Catholic) God doesn't care where you honor and love Him. Only the church cares, cause they want your Tithe. Send it in the mail, like I do and the Church will never chastise for not being there.

I know you miss it Blessings, so do I.

My Dad never liked going to church because he couldn't hear well. He always stayed home while my Mom and I went. He cooked lunch for us and we always enjoyed it.

Like he always told me......"just because you're standing in the garage doesn't mean you're a car". Same thing with church. Sitting in a pew doesn't mean you're religious.

I miss the music.

ANN

I get so tired of the questions when I go to church. Oh Joyce, how are you feeling. Oh Joyce, I had a nephew that had MS and it was just so terrible. I admire you so much that you can still drive. What can I say? So I got out of the habit and that made it even harder to go back. Then you have to face the music. We haven't seen you in quite a while. Were you going some where else. Then I had to face my Mom. That was one of the most terrible things when she died. I hadn't made it back to church yet when she died. Sorry i hijacked your thread

You didn't hijack it, Doydie, you addressed some of the exact SAME issues I'm dealing with. I showered, got dressed, mentally covered all my maneuvers, etc...then at 11:00, I just couldn't pull the trigger. I kept picturing all those people--being nice, but being too much.

Again, nobody doing anything wrong--I know they care about me. My church family was there many times when my "real" family couldn't be. But sometimes even a "good" thing can be, well, too much.

Having headache issues lately, and while my church has been hugely supportive, DH woke me and said, you want to get ready? I said "are you nuts?! its Easter sunday!" I KNOW I dont have what it takes to do an easter service. The loud music, the crowds, the perfume, the extra lights, the extra cars, the extra smells from all the food dishes, the loud talkers, the hugs, the questions, the introductions to those I dont know cause they only come once a year...im sorry I DONT have what it takes. I stayed home. I simply was not able to push myself past my comfort zone on that one.

I miss so many things, like the music, and the socialization, and the worship, but by the time I walk out the door it takes me two weeks to recover.

I've been feeling badly about not physically going to church for quite some time... I used to sing in the choir and was very involved in the Sunday School classes, pageants and special celebrations. I even worked with the homeless weekly through my church. That all seems like a different person now when I look back... and it's only a few yrs ago. I sometimes think I might try to actually get ready and go, navigate the parking lot, navigate the large building, etc and then I realize that I'm too exhausted to even try..... so I watch it online. I agree that you don't have to be in a bldg to pray and talk to God, but I do wonder if HE'd rather I try to go anyway....This conversation made me feel much better. I'm realizing i need to be very stingey with my energy....most people just don't understand this, but how could they? It's just so weird.... How can we expect 'civilians' to understand this?