Church ?

[catswhiskas]

I recently lost my husband ,and felt the need to visit a church,used to be a church goer but the last time was in the 80s, am confirmed always visited on holiday etc. These days due to vandalism and theft you can't just walk in, so I thought with it being Easter Sunday I would go.

I couldn't wait to leave it was like being in an American gospel church, people swaying and clapping and hugging one another after it was all finished, is this what it's like now? I know the church has to move on and be modern, perhaps I'm a dinosaur,  what's it like were you live ?

[brainiac]

It's best to go to an early-morning service, they're usually quieter and simpler

[catswhiskas]

brainiac, this was 10 am the only one they do on Sundays

[brainiac]

Maybe evensong, then  :)

[douglas9401]

I'm afraid I have absolutely no idea.

[Neveracrossword]

I don't think ALL churches are like that, I expect there's a wide variety - as there always has been. 

[naomi24]

Assuming this is an Anglican Church you're talking about, I think to attract more people some are trying to move with the times - as they see it.  That often doesn't suit traditionalists though.  I'm an unbeliever but I have quite a lot of involvement with the church and even for me abandoning tradition in favour of what is really 'Americanised' evangelistic overtones is not a welcome move.

[piggynose]

I went to a mass in St Chad's, Brum around about January, it lasted about 2 hours,I was overwhelmed, and I not wot you call a holy joe/ religious.

[barry1010]

I'm just back from my church.A traditional CofE Easter Sunday service.  The afternoon service on Good Friday was traditional too.

 

 

 

 

[Old_Geezer]

While I don't frequent a church very often these days, going back some years I was at one for someone's wedding, and was horrified by the utter nonsense of being told to (don't recall exactly what now but it involved turning to the stranger sitting next to me and something, talking, greeting, hugging, whatever).

 

My thought at the time, and which hasn't changed since, was what a load of utter guano, an invasion of my right to be left alone and appreciate a traditional ceremony, and the rector sure is hoping to reduce the congregation, and support for the church in general.

 

Can't stand all this audience participation garbage. It's not what one turns up to a place for.

 

Wouldn't surprise me if it wasn't even more common now though.

[davebro3]

I've never been to a church service...

[catswhiskas]

Old_Geezer you are so right, I won't be going back

[Bazile]

//I couldn't wait to leave it was like being in an American gospel church, people swaying and clapping and hugging one another after it was all finished, is this what it's like now? //

And What's wrong in expressing your feelings in that way .

Do people who go to football matches just sit there like statues ?

I'm sure you  can find a denomination who worship in a way to suit you ?

[DDIL]

Try Presbyterian church services, they may be more to your preference.

[-SharonA-]

I live across the street from a Baptist church. It is a very lively church & I've only been twice, it is like going to a party. They even have a drummer with a complete drum kit! I could always tell when they were having a service due to the noise!!

[Bazile]

SharonA

Whatever would you think about the churches which also have bass/ treble guitars , pianos and organs and the odd saxaphones 😀

[barry1010]

Nothing wrong with the 'happy clappy' church service, they can be joyful and uplifting.

My CofE church occasionally has a gospel choir for the first Sunday in the month family service but the traditional, reserved service is the norm, with the hymns from my childhood.

A 2 hour mass is not unusual for a Roman Catholic cathedral like St Chad's in Birmingham.

[-SharonA-]

Baz, I would love All that. I hated the old style church. Tbh I am not a religious person.

[davebro3]

A friend who is of a religious bent found the Quaker meetings very beneficial (and also met his wife there).

[barry1010]

The Quaker meeting is almost totally silent. Some people would find that very difficult. 

[david small]

My church is in my heart. I do not require a congregation, or a bloke in a smock acting as an intermediary.

Though in the dark and dismal past I was once a choir boy.