Well

[Colabomb]

This morning was wonderful.

In case you don't know what I'm talking about, today was my first visit to the Episcopal Church downtown.

I attended the Rite II Somewhat contemporary service (as opposed to their later more contemporary service.). I found it wonderful. I felt like I was in a Christian Church. I like that feeling.

They are theologically moderate. I felt comfortable, the sermon was great.

If those more familiar with Episcopalianism have any questions to ask, that could help me discribe/discuss the service. I truly enjoyed it, and am considering returning.

[No Swansong]

Agreed and we were fortunate enough to be there not only for the closing VBS program but also the baptism of young Ryleigh (whoever she is)
All in all a pleasant experience.

[karen freeinchristman]

What is VBS?


I'm really glad to hear that things went well. :)
It really comes across in Cola's post.

[Colabomb]

What is VBS?


I'm really glad to hear that things went well. :)
It really comes across in Cola's post.

Vacation Bible School.

Kind of like an intense Sunday School that meets all summer long.

[No Swansong]

Vacation Bible School.

Kind of like an intense Sunday School that meets all summer long.

Actually I think it only meets for a week son.

[karen freeinchristman]

Vacation Bible School.

Kind of like an intense Sunday School that meets all summer long.
Oh yeah.

Glad to hear they held the baptism during the service. My church always has them about an hour later. Doesn't seem right to me. I think the congregation should be present, but no-one usually wants to stay on for them.

[RedneckAnglican]

cool...I'm glad you felt comfortable...just be careful of feeling TO comfortable...there is nothing more dangerous than a comfortable Christian...

[longhair75]

i am glad your experience was a positive one.

[AngCath]

I truly enjoyed it, and am considering returning.

We'd love to have you back!

I am very happy that you had a positive worship experience.

[gtsecc]

Oh yeah.

Glad to hear they held the baptism during the service. My church always has them about an hour later. Doesn't seem right to me. I think the congregation should be present, but no-one usually wants to stay on for them.
Of course they should. No one stays? I can't understand this. I think Baptism is proably everyone in my parish's favorite service. Do you have any idea why they are done an hour later or why folks don't go?

[SirTimothy]

Hmmm... we have baptisms in services. Sometimes morning, sometimes evenings. We're not a large church, so when people want to bring a lot of family, we tend to try and have it in the evening service so there's plenty of space. But we don't do seperate services.

[No Swansong]

Of course they should. No one stays? I can't understand this. I think Baptism is proably everyone in my parish's favorite service. Do you have any idea why they are done an hour later or why folks don't go?

Yeah I agree a baptism is truly a reason for communal celebration!

[Torah613]

indeed. When I was RC, they did it that way too. Always freaked me out. It takes a village to raise a child, and a whole congregation to help steer them towards a christian life. Of course in Orthodoxy, all Baptisms are part of either Vigil the night before or Orthros right before liturgy. Technically its a seperate service, but it just transitions right in and noone gets a warning so they can leave. The Episcopal Church I attend also does Baptisms as part of the service, and has the whole congregation reaffirm the Baptismal vows with the godparents.

Joe Zollars

[No Swansong]

indeed. When I was RC, they did it that way too. Always freaked me out. It takes a village to raise a child, and a whole congregation to help steer them towards a christian life. Of course in Orthodoxy, all Baptisms are part of either Vigil the night before or Orthros right before liturgy. Technically its a seperate service, but it just transitions right in and noone gets a warning so they can leave. The Episcopal Church I attend also does Baptisms as part of the service, and has the whole congregation reaffirm the Baptismal vows with the godparents.

Joe Zollars


This Episcopal Church did it the way I remember in the RCC. As part of the liturgy between the homily and the offering.

[SirTimothy]

Interesting. We always baptise before the gospel reading, so that the preacher has the attention of the congregation. Generally we have a family themed sermon for non-christians with a lot of basics for a baptism, as they're mostly for non-christians who just want to get the baby 'done'. :(

[karen freeinchristman]

No one stays? I can't understand this. I think Baptism is proably everyone in my parish's favorite service. Do you have any idea why they are done an hour later or why folks don't go?

I can't understand it either. I will have to ask my Rector about it. I'll let you know what he says.

[artrx]

My daughter and I love baptisms as well but my husband and son both would rather not sit through them. I guess it depends. However, it was very important and meaningful to us that our children's baptisms were celebrated as a vital part of our church comminity and worship.The "it takes a village..." idea. I feel there is a real loss when the baptisms are done mainly for tradition and you know those children and parents are not consistant members of the church.

[No Swansong]

My daughter and I love baptisms as well but my husband and son both would rather not sit through them. I guess it depends. However, it was very important and meaningful to us that our children's baptisms were celebrated as a vital part of our church comminity and worship.The "it takes a village..." idea. I feel there is a real loss when the baptisms are done mainly for tradition and you know those children and parents are not consistant members of the church.


The following will not be a popular post.

While I certainly believe that community involvement is important within the Body. I do not now, nor will I ever, subscribe to the "it takes a village" ideal. A village did not raise my children, a village did not sit up with them when they were ill, a village did not take responsiblity for their education, a village did not feed, clothe, bathe, comfort, protect, or otherwise support my children.

I think that alot of the problems with society today exist because Parents will not take the responsiblity of raising their children and instead see it as the responsiblity of society.

Now I know that is not necessarily what the posters who were speaking of this ideal were referring to.

[Torah613]

not at all what I meant, and I agree with you.

What i meant is that the church is community, and it takes more than just a couple of parents and a coupel godparents to make sure a child is raised in a Christian faith and to encourage them in that walk.

Joe Zollars

[No Swansong]

not at all what I meant, and I agree with you.

What i meant is that the church is community, and it takes more than just a couple of parents and a coupel godparents to make sure a child is raised in a Christian faith and to encourage them in that walk.

Joe Zollars

Of course I agree entirely with this Joe.

[SirTimothy]

Exactly. It is the influence and advice of strong mature christians that have made me who I am today. My parents among those, but when you hit about 12, your parents hold on your starts to lessen, and having real christians around who know you and are willing to take the time to help you makes all the difference. I'm just lucky our retired priest here was one of those.

[gtsecc]

Not to get too much into baptism, but basically - infants are baptised because of the faith of the community.

[Torah613]

I think in this issue, we should look at the old order anabaptists as an example. No they don't practice infant baptism, but they manage to raise the vast majority of their children within their religious community (and they choose to stay there). They manage to do this through a strong religious community. We really need to build stronger community--the hour on sunday, coffee hour, and evening prayer on wendsdays aren't enough for community.

Joe Zollars

[artrx]

not at all what I meant, and I agree with you.

What i meant is that the church is community, and it takes more than just a couple of parents and a coupel godparents to make sure a child is raised in a Christian faith and to encourage them in that walk.

Joe Zollars

Ditto, Joe:)

I think in this issue, we should look at the old order anabaptists as an example. No they don't practice infant baptism, but they manage to raise the vast majority of their children within their religious community (and they choose to stay there). They manage to do this through a strong religious community. We really need to build stronger community--the hour on sunday, coffee hour, and evening prayer on wendsdays aren't enough for community.

From my experience this is harder to do in big suburban areas than smaller towns. When we lived oversees our church held the many of the same people we and the kids relaxed or worked with on a daily basis. That has never been as true where we live now. Here you have to work harder to create that community and it is still more fragmented between parents and children.

[Torah613]

I agree, but that doesn't excuse us from trying to build community. Its not just for the children, but also helps support christians in their common struggles and combines outreach efforts. Online community building tools such as this one are great, but we cannot abandon the local community, the local parish.

Joe Zollars

[karen freeinchristman]

I agree, but that doesn't excuse us from trying to build community. Its not just for the children, but also helps support christians in their common struggles and combines outreach efforts. Online community building tools such as this one are great, but we cannot abandon the local community, the local parish.

Joe ZollarsThis is really true, and today more than ever, people are actually yearning for the strong community ties that used to come naturally to society(even if they aren't aware that they yearn for it)!