At a recent wedding rehearsal, the bride-to-be confided in me that one of her assistants had been terrified about coming into the church for the wedding rehearsal. This young woman had been stressed out because she didn’t know what she was allowed to wear (if jeans were ok) or how to act. I assured the bride that I didn’t mind what her assistant wore, and I gather the bride already knew this, or she wouldn’t have told me of her friend’s concerns in the first place.
However, this young woman’s fears of entering a church are not, unfortunately, uncommon.
It is tricky when stereotypes on the tv, in movies and in literature continue to affirm the most dodgy of stereotypes about what church, and church people, are really like eg; that they are a dowdy, boring, judgmental lot.
Whilst this may be unfortunately true in some places, the great irony is that the One at the centre of our faith is the most open, fearless, radical and exciting One, Christ Jesus.
And as Christians, Christ-Ones, it is this One that we continue to be informed and transformed by.
For all its many flaws, the Uniting Church genuinely seeks to be an open church.
Certainly here in the Highlands Cluster you are welcome; no matter what you wear, what your background is, and where ever your faith is at.
Here we seek to create space for the questions, the doubts and our own lived experience.
As well as this, we seek to create authentic space for meaningful worship- space in which to commune with the Source of all life.
So if you are interested in exploring issues of Christian faith and spirituality, whether you have never been in a church or if you are thinking of returning after a long time away feel very welcome to join us anytime.
Blessings on your journey,
Sally
Rev. Sally Douglas Highlands Cluster Uniting Church
