I love checking out churches.

There are three that I like partaking of inna Washyton.

Last time I was there, my wife and I took in a service at an Epi church that we both like, especially since it caters to our intellectual needs.

Well, this time the service was rather town folksy. The 'Peace be with you' session was the LONGEST one I have ever been in (everyone must have shook everyone else) and the celebrant even did a Phil Donno-HUE as he walked into the aisle and had announcements from the audience. And since this service was in celebration of St Francis, people brought their pets with them (there were a few fun moments when someone's cat would chime in on the service...sometimes answered by someone else's dog) and the altar area had a few stuffed animals there. The pets got their own communion of sorts after the human communion -- they got blessed. And during 'afters', we got to eat animal-style food: what I called 'droppings' (choccy-covered raisins), brownie dog biscuits, fish-style crackers, candy worms and such sorts.

Now, normally, when I am in a Christy Church whenever I hear the word 'God' I still automatically first think of 'ok, they are meaning some guy in a dress who watches over everything they do'. This time, for the first time I was aware of, for a few moments at least, I was immediately thinking of 'ok, they mean these series of beliefs that cause them to act in certain ways that results in certain actions.' And I felt really good, like I had reached a minor epiphany. Like something had gone from my head to my heart (or to the rest of me).

Now, on to you folks, have you had smiliar experiences? With either being able to think of a concept in a different way and/or fun/inneresting church sessions? Riff on, m'dears!

Going to the dogs and cats,

Inannawhimsey