How would I describe Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church? My experience with the community was one of the greatest ones I've had. It was the first time were I was told I could take communion. Which I will talk about later in the blog. The music was amazing! They have an old choir and the old hymns I have always found peace in. The church building is under construction and the community is fair size and extremely kind.
At service there was a call for people with birthdays to come up and receive a blessing from the Priest. She didn't notice me at first, and I was surprised I took the initiative, most visits I tend to stick around in the back and not sit in the front. I wasn't noticed at first, but I got a few birthday wishes. My birthday was the next day.
The sermon was about sticking to the end to discover how Jesus can change you. The example of the Samaritan Women who ended up seeing him as Christ and took responsibility for her questionable past was contrasted with Nicodemus who wasn't willing to give up his wealth to follow Jesus. In the story it laid down some of the signs for what would happen on the cross and at Easter with the resurrection.
After the Nicene Creed was quoted (which reminded me of Catholic Mass where it's roots come from). It was at that time I was also aware how I am not a Christian. I see the possibility of it being true metaphorically (Three in One being/Trinity, resurrection, ect.) I just don't see it as probable, and think their are enough doubts about the texts for them not to be literal events exactly recorded. The theologian Marcus Borg's thoughts about the what happened (they were recorded by his followers post his death, and that they did experience something that inspired them to believe Jesus was God and rose from the dead) makes more sense to me. Regardless, it's the actions that I do, and that people do that matter I think. That's what defines us more so then any belief about reality.
It was for this reason I was surprised that I was offered communion. Me, a total stranger who has great appreciation for the virtue in many of Jesus's messages (not all of them I think are virtuous though) and who is the Outsider was offered communion.
I think I understand a bit more now why the Eucharist and communion is so central to many Christian churches. When the Priest gave me the wafer dipped in wine, it was the most aware I've ever been of what I was eating. "This is the bread of life." She said. I don't know if that's true, but the reverence of those around me (and that I myself showed for the symbol) transcended to the experience...or maybe something outside of me touched me. I'm not sure. Regardless, I felt alive.
Afterwords I talked to the Priest, the Choir director and the old gentlemen who was sitting next to me during Mass. Involvement again became a huge theme...and honestly I need to think about it. It really depends on both parties. There is me the agnostic Theist who is clearly not a Christian, who calls himself outsider invited to take part in another's community in song and volunteer work. Whatever I decide on, I'm not going to stop exploring and visiting different communities. If I do settle somewhere where their is mutual acceptance then the community will have to know that this blog won't be stopping. Which means some Sundays I'll be missing. Strangely enough, the Outsider has found many places that he has connected to and hopes to return to as well as the journey and exploration continues here in Washington and beyond.
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