tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2430135382774464732.post5762800308082440529..comments2023-09-21T01:54:23.377-07:00Comments on 52 Weeks in 52 Faiths: My Personal Survey of Religions in My Backyard: Icons, incense, chanting, and candlesRaphael Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10610380113611372805noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2430135382774464732.post-72176697306334081232014-03-02T06:53:05.151-08:002014-03-02T06:53:05.151-08:00I've skipped around a bit in this blog, but in...I've skipped around a bit in this blog, but in each post I've read a lot about "community." For me, that's an essential part of my church experience. THE essential part, probably. I can learn a lot from the sermon, take comfort from rituals, be at peace in the space, but without the support from the community, it would not be something I'd return to over and over. <br /><br />Your one-per-week adventure keeps you from experiencing this aspect of any of the churches, yet I read in your comments a deep longing for it. I wouldn't discourage this quest--your research and reflections are so interesting!--but I also hope that you can find a path to community for yourself. As you mention here, historically these churches have split and merged and some have traveled quite far from their roots. What's going on in them, right now, right (t)here is what's important to the members. Not important whether the communion is grape juice or wine, but what happens when the congregation is in communion with each other.Lynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02150847005340168126noreply@blogger.com