i do miss going to church. I miss the music, the people and even the sermons.

[efhmc]

There is something restful and purposeful about going.

[shenmue]

1. You can watch some services online

See what you like.

[Doreen]

2. I am not Christian but I was going to my mothers Methodist church.

I was in choir with my mother and a few friends. The people were open, friendly, and did not care that I am not Christian. I really do miss it.

[TexasTowelie]

3. I miss the music and the people,

the sermons are about 50-50. In so much that they encourage people to live morally and perform good deeds, then I agree with that part. I'm not into the fire and brimstone sermons though.

[efhmc]

9. Lutheran do not do fire and brimstone (Not ELC anyway)

We leave that for the Southern Baptists.

[TexasTowelie]

11. I was raised as a Southern Baptist so I heard plenty of fire and brimstone sermons.

The members on my mother's side of the family were Lutherans; meanwhile, I went to a Methodist affiliated university.

[efhmc]

12. Missouri synod Lutherans are the same as Baptists.

[JT45242]

4. We are doing online

It helps..but not the same. For me, church is the family I got to pick. I miss that.

[efhmc]

10. Agree.

[electric_blue68]

5. I'm an ex-Catholic who considered whether to

... stay as a Christian but didn't.

My favorite church that I have gone to special masses or other event (not in several years though) is NYC's
St John The Divine. (Episcopalian?). Very famous as (I think) the largest Cathedral in the US - still unfinished, and for it's St Frances Blessing of the Animals Mass with the Paul Winter Consort. In certain services they'll be the Rev, a rabbi, and a Iman.

It's such a gorgeous place with all manner of Ecumenical settings along it's side walls, ecological, and justice related settings as well. One of the first Churches to have a ? Thanksgiving reconciliation event with Indigenous Chiefs and Elders representating several of our areas, and other major tribes from around the US ? 25 - 30 yes ago.

My second favorite is Riverside Church. It also has wonderful similar themed items along it's walls. There was a famous Rev there who's name I can't remember who I'd paid attention to. Dr King gave his famous (infamous to some) 1967 Anti-Vietnam War speech there. I think I was outside it once for a march.
I also was there a couple of days before the '16 election when Rev Baber was there with his Moral Mondays themed event - that had a different group name that evolved from THE MM gatherings.

I was just by it accidentally (missed bus stop) in July. It was so nice to see it even just the outside. Hopefully by late Spring '21 maybe I'll feel safe enough to visit again.

[efhmc]

14. Do not have to do the dogma but there is support and love in many places of

worship that fulfills many of our human needs.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

6. Yes, I understand.

But there are probably many things you can connect to. There will be services and sermons you can view on line. See them and take heart.

The restful and purposeful aspect are quite separate from missing music, people and sermons.

I sincerely wish you peace, tranquility, joy, and love.

[LAS14]

7. Agree. nt

[Freddie]

8. I miss it too

We’ve re-opened under very limited conditions. 6 feet apart, wear masks, limit to 25 people per service (must pre-register), no singing or passing plate (drop your offering off on your way out). People dismissed by row so no one congregates in the narthex. Went once, def not the same. Still having nice online services which will continue. And in the middle of all this our pastor is leaving, she accepted a call back in her home state.

[Dreampuff]

13. I know how all of you feel

Cuz I had those same feelings for several weeks when we have no services. I am so blessed because the last several weeks we have a short service on the church lawn every Sunday morning. We have our music and a couple of singers and a short uplifting and encouraging sermon and a few prayers. We bring our own lawn chairs and masks are required and of course, we don't sing or pass a collection plate, Etc. Everyone chooses their own place to sit away from others.

Another huge Plus on this is the fact that we are right across the street from a beautiful Lake with beautiful wildlife. They even join in for part of it and it is so cute.

[efhmc]

16. How lovely.

[ChazII]

15. My church has opened

but masks are required, seating is every other pew and only 3 people to a pew. Families may sit more than 3 to a pew. Temperatures are taken before entering the building and hand sanitizers are everywhere.

We also have services live streamed.