Sounds wonderful, Rita.  Definitely share the name of the congregation.  Others may be in the area and would like to attend as well...cms

 That is Good News. 

Hugs

Excellent Rita ... so glad to hear of your happiness ... I love your description of what's so right with your church.

great post to read, rita

Rita, this is marvelous and I'm so glad for you. As carolla said, it's good to hear your description of "what's so right with your church".

I'm curious to know if they know that you're there because of Wondercafe discussions.

It brings joy to my heart to read your post, thank you so much for sharing your wonderful story!!

Thanks for the update Rita. That is awesome!

BTW, you need to quit apologizing for "rambling". I love reading your posts. You are articulate and have good stuff to say. So stop apologizing for rambling!

Glad to hear that, Rita.  Sounds like a very positive and affirming place.  May the friendships and fellowship continue to grow.

I smiled my way through your post Rita. I really enjoy reading of your joy, delight and comfort at the church you are attending.

That's sounds wonderful, Rita . . . sounds like you are feeling very much welcomed and very much already a part of the church family there.  That's what we are all looking for . . . a place to belong - just for who we are!

Wonderful story Rita!!!  Thanks for sharing.  It is an inspiration to hear good things that work and make a difference. 

Rita,

In a wondermail I remember telling you that Affirming was wonderful but there were places without the name.

The congregation I am a member of is a bunch of folks old enough to be my parents and grandparents. They too are wonderfully accepting (It took going to another church in the charge rather than the one in my town, but is well worth the couple minute drive). If she is not there, they ask after "my partner" or "my wife" and never "my friend". They had no idea how much that meant until I told them. I wear a suit and tie at times and it never surprises, shocks or disgusts them. They let me be me. They love me not in spite of who I am, but as I am.

Three cheers to those little places tucked away where they mean "come in, come in and sit down, you are a part of the family..."

Once again I am amazed that some body who lives a different lifestyle has not thrown the baby out with the bath water. I can only imagine the types of judgment that you have faced Rita, and I for one am glad that you have not let the actions of others hinder your walk with God. While others would have jumped ship long ago, you are still on deck enjoying the Son.

Rita.........YOU ROCK!!!!!!! I might not ever be able to meet you face to face but I will sure as heck see you in Heaven.

Ha. How is that from a Bible believing conservative evangelical fundy labelled Christian.

My above post to Rita.......extremely sincere.

Thank you everyone for sharing in my joy!

Isn't it wonderful how that joy shared multiplies over and over?   I am so very very blessed!

Thank you each and every one of you for the support, love, and encouragement you have given to me.   Such treasures!

Motheroffive:  ....good observation! ...... it had not occurred to me to tell them of my friends here.....and I shall correct that oversight the very next visit!.    I would love to share with them the friends and fellowship that I have found here.   I am truey grateful for each and every one of you and I am proud to call you friends and to be counted amongst the family here.   Yes indeed I will share with them about all of you and what you do for each other here.   .... that leads to my next comment...LOL

Northwind:  ....I hereby accept my "rambling license" complete with "no apologies" clause.   Watch out now LOL ..... and pray for those poor folks at my new church as I yak their ears off LOL.    I promise that I shall share here freely and thank you for helping me get to that place.

Beloved:    You said "That's what we are all looking for . . . a place to belong - just for who we are!".    That is it!! ..... that is the very base we need to start from!   Finally, I can just be me, warts and all, and we can help each other openly and honestly from there.    Is this an effect of the "water of life"?  ..... I surely hope so!

StevieG:    HUGS HUGS HUGS! ....we surely relate in so many ways.

Consumingfire:  Oh my have you blessed my heart!   How could I possibly allow others to come between me and the one I love? (Jesus).    I am glad that that is incomprehensible to me though I do aknowledge that it is a struggle to many many others.    Perhaps allowing my light to shine will help someone along their journey.   All I can say is that to all my friends, transgendered nd conventional alike, my joy is such that I am thrilled to say to then "come and see!"

cjms:   since you have indicated that it is permissable to actually name a church I shall.   I just wanted to make sure that I was not breaking any rules.

The church is :      All People's United Church, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada

Just a quiet unassuming little church just living and doing..... and I get to belong there!!

To all the others with your kind words and good wishes ....again thank you..... I shall pass on the goodness you have share with me!

Hugs Hugs Hugs to all!

Rita

Hi Rita, this scripture came to mind when I saw this thread. It comes from Paul's letter to the Romans:

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,

nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39

God bless you Rita.

Consumingfire:   thank you!! ...... I shall treasure that gift of scripture you have just given me!

consumingfire, May I also say thank you.

This is fantastic news!  I'm really enjoying following your church exploration.  (I didn't comment on your previous thread, but I did read every word.)

And, like you said, there are Affirming churches and then there are also churches without that designation that do the welcoming and accepting bit phenomenally well.  I'm glad you found a place that loves you as much as you love them.

I am so glad that you have found a home where you are welcome.  It is something we all look for and this small little church you have found sounds lovely.

Sometimes people can surprise us.  You have been pleasantly surprised by how lovely they are and I be they have been pleasantly surprised that a sweet woman like yourself has found them.  You are young, they are elderly and yet you can rejoice in Jesus together.

Some of my favourite people were ramblers.........my grandmother being one of the best of them. Rambling is a great skill, and really means an active, curious mind. Keep on sharing!

Thanks for that consumingfire!

What a great story, Rita!

Thank you for sharing your journey with us and for identifying the church so that others in the area can consider making All People's UC a part of their own loving community.

There are some great people here on WC, but it can't compete with a real-world church full of love!

The church sounds great, Rita. How wonderful that you have found a place that accepts you and where you can be active worshipping God. May you be richly blessed there.

The image that you have “found a home” makes me smile, Rita (and others here who have found a home at a church). I have written a number of songs and have specifically written songs/hymns for congregations who are affirming – officially or unofficially. This thread has me thinking of one those songs – here is the chorus  …

            Find a home here

            Live out faith here

            Gather strength here

            Find fam’ly here

            Be yourself here

            Feel secure here

            Celebrate here

            Be at home here

There are some congregations – across Canada and beyond - using a few of these affirming songs and it warms my heart just knowing that. I realize that finding a ‘home’ is much more than the lyrics of a song, but my hope is that people feel welcome with the people in the pews, the words spoken during worship, and occasionally even with the song lyrics.

Too kewl, myst

I have been in WonderCafe since the beginning and I am still amazed. Such wonderful words Consumingfire. and Myst  - your words are inspiring. Do you have  the song  that you could play it for us? Look what  new things are enfolding, rita, because of this thread.

I don't have a recording of the song CH (getting to a recording studio is on 'the list'). I could send a PDF version of it (and other songs) to anyone interested - send me a wondermail.

I also delight in the ongoing surprises at wondercafe.

Now iuf I knew what PDF was LOL

It's a type of file .... do you know if you have Adobe on your computer? If you have Adobe Reader (free and easy to download) you can read a PDF file.

ahhh i have

Love hearing about your church, Rita, and your wonderful experiences there.  So cool!!

TL

Rita,

I'm so happy that you've found a great church.

When reading your post, I had this image in my mind of a little girl turning cartwheels. I don't think I've ever read anything  that conveyed so much joy. How do you do that??

Just wanted to make sure that the church name didn't get lost here:  All People's United Church, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada

So happy for you Rita.

Way to go, APUC!!!!...cms

Thanks for sharing Rita. I am so happy for you.

I'm so happy for you Rita!!!   I love your ramblings, they are so positive, wise, thoughtful and encouraging.   I'm so glad that you have found a church home.

---

 rambling rocks.

God bless you Rita.  I look forward to someone to ramble with in heaven.

you really do Rock, Rita!

Congratulations on finding a good church. As a TG Man, I loosely attend the same UC church in downtown Hamilton I've struggled with for over ten years. I think with the new minister, thank you God, there is hope. She treats me like one of the guys, and though the older members whisper and look oddly at me as the facial hair comes in and the voice drops, no one has said anything stupid to my face.

I'm hoping my church grows from the 20 we pull in most Sundays, because i finally feel comfortable there and the thought of it closing terrifies me. I'm not going to an affirming church just to be permitted to be, and it feels, to me, like segregating myself. I want to be part of church, period, not special, not less than, just the same as. We all have intrinsic value as human beings. I think, lovely Rita, I'm finding that starting at First-Pilgrim United in Hamilton. There's me and a lovely lady as yourself and anytime someone comments negatively on her I just step on in and say, "So, with me on the same journey, more or less, you must feel the same about me? I think she's lovely and brave. All good Christian qualities. Pass the milk, would you?"

Works every time. They never know what to say. They've been told but with a chance to keep some dignity.

All the best to you Rita!

Chase

AMEN!!!

RitaTG

Wow! Jingle bells...jingle bells...is it Christmas or what ...! You're sure making music on the WC. You're a terrific writer Rita. You give me a buzz.....a high!  I'm so happy for you.

Its my first time checking out Church Life and your thread is sure a whole lot more cheery than a lot of those on Faith/Religion where I hang out quite a bit. I can't post on too many topics because I forget where I've been re replies....lol. I came here today because of seeler's new bible study on the Book of John. I hope some of you will be able to join us.

stardust, you can keep track of where you post by looking under your profile and under "track". Everywhere you have been is in there!