Church Shopping with Marie

When I got through the December month-about-God sermons and made my decision not to join the UU church at that time, I had a plan. The plan was to co-facilitate the BYOT class this winter, attend UU services regularly, and go back to being a language learning buddy with the Refugee Development Center at the church May-August. To give myself time to get over my disappointment. To give myself time to be reminded of all the good things I enjoy about UU Lansing. And then to re-evaluate my participation. Because I don’t want to be on the outside of a church forever. At some point, somewhere, I want to be all-in.

But I found myself wanting to adjust that plan as February wound down. I realized that I wanted to do some church shopping. I feel ignorant about Christian denominations and I want to be an informed congregant. There are churches on every corner, would I fit in better at one of them?

I’ve been talking religion with my good, long-term friend Marie. We met 13 years ago in grad school and have been friends ever since, personally and professionally. Recently, she began attending Quaker meeting and has been deeply satisfied with the experience. But she also made an off-hand comment that she would be willing to go church shopping with me.

I let the idea percolate (for both of us) for a couple of weeks and then called her to see if she was still interested. She is.

Here’s our plan: for the next 6 months we’re going to attend one service each month together away from our home churches. Then we’ll go get breakfast and unpack the experience.

I’m really excited! The huge mystery that is Christian denominations and my own dissatisfaction with the UU beliefs about God are going to be addressed.

I have no idea where this path will lead but I’m ready for the journey. I’ll still be attending UU services three Sundays a month, and I consider it my home church, I just need to know what my options are.

Many, many thanks to Marie for embarking on this adventure with me. Without her social support, I wouldn’t be able to make this happen.