#48 Many gods leading to One God

WHERE I WENT AND WHY
Visiting an Eastern religious worship ceremony has been on my list from Day One.  I was finally able to connect with Thakor Topiwala at the Hindu Center and Temple.  He was more than my "worship buddy" as he gave me a tour of the Hindu Temple (and a peek at the new one being built!), and instructed me on the tenants of Hinduism.  He accompanied me to the noon day Arti and explained the ceremony to me.  Finally he lavished me with gifts of books and an idol of Krishna, the Hindu original form of God, and a vegetarian lunch!

Thakor Topowali and me.
  Notice the pink marble columns in the background of the new temple under construction.

WHAT TO KNOW IF YOU WANT TO GO

The Hindu Temple is at the end of City View Drive (7400) in East Charlotte.  City View is between Idlewild Rd. and Harris Blvd. off inbound Independence Blvd.  Parking was plentiful and folks had on casual clothing to elaborate saris.  You will be asked to remove your shoes when you enter the temple.  Thakor asks that you phone first or inquire through their website and have someone accompany you (as he did me) on your first visit.  Just showing up (as I usually do to most houses of worship) can be very confusing for folks with no knowledge of Hinduism (me!).  Also their website is very confusing for the uninitiated.  They serve as the temple for many types of Hindu followers (I equated it to different congregations or denominations) and depending on the service, it may be elaborate or simple; short (the Arti I attended lasted less than a half hour) or long (3 hours or more).  There was at least one other "tour group" there when I visited on Monday morning.

REFLECTIONS ON WORSHIP

MOOD

Having Thakor as my guide made the experience very welcoming.  He is definitely right.  If I had just "shown up", I think I would have been welcomed, but the ceremony would have had little meaning to me.

MUSIC

During the ceremony or ritual a priest rang a bell to begin it, and several times during the chants he would ring the bell in a specific rhythm.  Thakor picked up small finger cymbals and "kept time" with them during the chant.  Others clapped or used small instruments.  A leader led the chants with a microphone.  They were all sung or spoken in Hindi.

The symbol in the circle above the center altar is their symbol for God

MESSAGE

The service I attended was more of a ceremony or ritual.  There was no liturgy, hymns, or sermon.  It is a form of corporate praise to Krsna, their name for God.  The chants were songs of praise.  There were 3 rituals performed by the 15-20 folks present.  The first was the offering of fire.  In this ritual each person raised a plate with small candle on it , circling it several times.  Thakor told me that fire represents our energy that comes from God.  The 3 priests also placed plates with multiple candles on them on the altars.  Next came a water ceremony,  The priest circulated around and put a teaspoon of water into our cupped hands.  We were to taste it and then sprinkle it on our heads.  This good Lutheran was reminded of of her Baptism, and I think the meaning was somewhat similar.  It was to remind us that only God can purify our souls.  Last the priest circulated with a brass cap on the top of which was a representation of the feet of God.  This was placed on our heads to remind us that we are always under God's feet and never higher than Him.  Rituals with candles and water are common to many faiths, but the cap with God's feet was new to me.  I especially liked its symbolism.

OUTREACH AND OBSERVATIONS

• The only outreach Thakor mentioned to me was feeding people.  On their website they are offering 2 scholarships to folks who will study in health related fields.  This is to enhance the life of the aging Indian population.
• Thakor spoke with me for over an hour about the tenants of Hinduism.  He kept asking me if I had questions, but quite frankly there was so much to take in, it was hard for me to ask many questions.  (He said this was normal).
• He told me about the many divisions (denominations?) of Hinduism.  This temple serves several of them and different sects have ceremonies, at different times.  Some of the sects have split off and developed temples of their own as they have become larger.  Many of them are regionally based in India and come from a specific geographical area or region.
• This reminded me of the differences between Christian denominations and even within the Lutheran Church.  Scandinavian (Wisconsin and Missouri Synods) Lutherans feel that they are different from German Lutherans (ELCA). And I have attended short services this year, and some have lasted more than the three hours I attended!
• At the front of the temple were 5 altars with different gods presented as idols.  While one God is emphasized, different sects reach that god, by praying to the different lesser gods, each having their own rituals and ceremonies.  In my infant-view of Hinduism, I equated this to the worship of Saints.  In the new temple under construction they will have more than 5 altars.  Around the perimeter will be niches to many more gods.  Again this was not unlike the Catholic Cathedrals I visited in Europe with side altars dedicated to various saints.  (I fear my Catholic friends would find this observation blasphemous, and I do not mean it disrespectfully!)
• In one of the pamphlets they did mention "the Lord Jesus Christ".  The paragraph was comparing the different holy books written by God for various faiths, the Gita for Hindus, the Koran for Islam, The Torah for Jews and the Christian Bible.  It says, "it is a fact that the Lord Jesus Christ is present by His words.  Krsna is also present by His words."  From this, and my discussion with Thakor, I think that Hindus believe that there are many paths to God.  While we see the Trinity as the mystery of the"Triune God", they have no problem with many gods leading to the supreme being.  I know that we humans often get tangled up in theology and semantics to the point of war.  I have several questions to ask God about this when I get to Heaven! 
• I hesitate to summarize the tenants he spoke so passionately about, for fear of misrepresenting them. The Hindus separate the mind and body and believe that our mind or consciousness lives on when our bodies invariably die.  He spoke only briefly about reincarnation, but the "cycle of rebirth" is definitely a major emphasis for them (and the root of their veganism). 
• To them our consciousness or  soul must go through several transformations to reach a oneness with God  We begin in ignorance, progress through passion, which provides materialism and a false sense of enjoyment, on to complete goodness, where we become servants of God and One with Him.
• I must confess I did not follow everything he tried to explain to me about yoga.  But what I came away with was again, that there were several levels of yoga.  And that the physical positions, help them master the physical body so that their mind is free to receive grace (supreme goodness or joy) from God through chants and meditation  .
• The new temple is being built with many marble pillars and ornaments.  All of the marble is being mined from one mine in India so that it will be uniform.  It is a beautiful pink marble and craftsmen in India are sculpting it with elaborate symbols and ornaments.  Thakor said it will probably take 4 years to complete the project. (see background of picture of Thakor and me.)
• He has been at this temple since its beginning in 1982 and it serves 30,000 people in North and South Carolina. 
• Thakor asked me to add the following: "Hinduism originally is based on scriptures Called Vedas and there are many supplementary Vedas spoken by the Lord through sound vibrations and at some point in history, He passed them to mankind in aural receptions. Then all was written by a Sage named  Srila Vyasadva who is a powerful incarnation of the Godhead. It was then passed in succession from generation to generation.  Also the GODS and GODDESSES many of which you saw on the altars are not sages but high level celestial  incarnations of the Godhead holding different responsibilities to conduct material and spiritual affairs."
• I'd like to thank Thakor Topiwala for the time he took to explain everything to me and for his many gifts.  I wish him well in his retirement and may he too, enjoy his grandchildren!

THIS WEEK'S EXTRA

Thakor emphasized several times that Hindus do not bury their dead like Christians do, because the body is unimportant, it is the soul that matters.  Hopefully he'll find this humorous!

Instead of a bulletin I photographed 2 pamphlets he gave me and all of the books he asked me to put in my library!

This would be the equivalent of their Bible

Krishna - the original form of the Hindu God

This pamphlet was in the Gita

These books were a gift from Thakor to my library

And this pamphlet was short enough to include it all.  It also was a great summary of what Thakor told me.

#47 FEEDING BODIES AND SOULS

WHERE I WENT AND WHY
St. Luke's Missionary Baptist Church has a reputation of being progressive and active in the faith, political, and social justice communities.  I wanted to worship there.

WHAT TO KNOW IF YOU WANT TO GO
St. Luke's is located at 1600 Norris Avenue just off Statesville Avenue between Moretz and Antondo Avenues near the Double Oaks and Druid Hill neighborhoods.  Parking was plentiful and dress was "church dressy" with several women wearing elaborate and exquisite hats.  Worship is at 10 am and lasted almost 2 hours.

REFLECTIONS ON WORSHIP

MOOD

This was a welcoming congregation.  Many people greeted me before worship and during the passing of the peace. Their greetings seemed sincere, yet no one asked my name. It is a clapping and laughing congregation, even with a sermon based on Lamentations (I think a first for me)! The bulletin was easy to follow and words to the songs and responses were also on 2 large screens flanking the chancel.

MUSIC

Music was provided by a choir, 2 keyboardists, and a very talented drummer. I had high expectations since both my husband and I were impressed with the keyboardist from St. Luke's at the Community Easter Service.  While the drummer was definitely highlighted among the musicians, he often came very close to drowning out the choir on many occasions.  A young woman sang a solo and call and response, during the Altar Call entitled "Fill Me Up".  She had a great voice.

MESSAGE

Rev. Clifford Matthews chose Lamentations 3: 1-24 for his fiery and enthusiastic sermon entitled "The Strength to Keep on Keeping On."  He posed an interesting question in the beginning.  Recognizing reality TV as a favorite genre, he posed, "What would you want your life to look like if cameras were always in your space?"  Would you be able to keep it together? Or would the downsizing really be an eviction, and the entrepreneurial opportunity be because  "they fired my tail."?  And to these hard times, you used words worthy of having your mouth washed out with soap?  He cited the passage in Lamentations as what Israelites and now Christians often experience as real, raw life.  He recognized that the poem was written for both the personal and the political, as it describes the conditions and destruction of Jerusalem during the Babylonian takeover of Israel.  The writer who some believe to be Jeremiah, asserts that Israel fell because they did not listen to God.  He brought the message to the present citing our forefathers who had many more disadvantages than the current generation, yet persevered.  He quoted Frederick Douglas "There is no progress without struggle."  He then emphasized verses 19-20: "BUT, this I call to mind and therefore have hope.  The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases."  The African-American church he declared has provided that strength since slavery.  He encouraged the congregation  to "leave your many burdens at the altar, and let the love of the Lord keep you standing".  A summary does not reflect his enthusiastic oration.

OBSERVATIONS AND OUTREACH

• I entitled this post "Feeding bodies and souls" because, the major outreach emphasis for this church is physically feeding the neighborhood.  With school out (and no school lunches) they will offer a free lunch Monday-Saturday for the entire summer.  They will also begin their VBS with a supper.  They also solicited food for their food pantry.
• They are also offering summer training sessions in their CARES3 Computer Center, helping folks with their computer skills, writing resumes and job searching.
• And in that vein, they encourage the congregation to be social media savvy.  Here are 2 quotes from the bulletin:

• At the opening of the service, they had their graduates (High School through graduate school!) process in their caps and gowns to pomp and circumstance! I thought this was terrific. Later in the service they highlighted each one recognizing their achievements and future plans.  They had graduates from Mallard Creek High,  West Charlotte, Columbia Southern University, NC Central University, and Pheiffer.
• This congregation likes to do things in doubles.  There was an altar call where more than half of the congregation went forward to offer silent prayers and receive a blessing from the pastor, AND an Invitation to Discipleship after the sermon.
• AND after the passing of the peace, which was very warm and heart-felt, the pastor repeated all of the announcements.  Rev. Matthews said, "We aren't rich enough to build condos (a reference to St. Paul's?) but we can feed people!  That is why we tithe! (Perhaps this doubling of the announcements is because the congregation started with about 50 at 10 am but quadrupled to nearly 200 or more by the sermon.)
• I have come to realize that my German Lutheran heritage also carries some punctuality issues! LOL  Don't get me wrong, one does not raise two children and have granddaughters regularly sleep over and not be late to church occasionally!  But late to "good Lutherans" is coming in after the processional and during the first hymn: never a half hour or more into the service!  "Lateness" is not just found in the African American churches, but was rampant at the Greek Orthodox church (the priest even had "good reasons"!) and at both Catholic services I attended. My Italian sister in law calls it "Italian time."
• This is the third time I've heard a powerful African American preacher have the congregation on their feet clapping at the end of the sermon.  One thing I find curious about their style is their propensity to end their sermons quoting familiar hymns and songs.  Rev. Matthews ended with "Jesus Loves Me" and "Ain't no Mountain High Enough"!  This got everyone to their feet.
• The offering was done as a march up to the altar, with the ushers staying stationary and the people passing by the plates.  (a third altar call?) I don't know why I find this uncomfortable.  But once again I asked someone sitting beside me to take up my offering.

THIS WEEK'S EXTRA

I couldn't believe the array of cartoons when I put "Lamentations" into google!  Who knew?!  Here are a few favorites....  I never thought of Alexander and the Terrible... etc. being a child's Jeremiah or Lamentations!

THE BULLETIN

#46 From Greek to Hebrew! (and a First Communion!)

WHERE I WENT AND WHY
Finally I had a free Friday to join a Jewish Temple for Shabbat!  I decided to go to the Temple Beth El, the Reform Temple in Shalom Park.  I had been to Shalom Park and visited Temple Israel for a lecture on Islam.  I also knew that this Sunday I would have a "repeat" as I attended Living Savior Lutheran again for my granddaughters' First Communion.

WHAT TO KNOW IF YOU WANT TO TO
Temple Beth El is located in Shalom Park at 5101 Providence Road.  It is just South of Fairview right past Christ Lutheran.  As you enter the park, it is the temple to the right (Temple Israel, the orthodox temple, is to the left).  Parking was plentiful and dress was church casual, though the website said that women usually had their shoulders covered.  The wearing of a kippah (head covering) was optional and less than half of those present chose to wear them, though some were exquisite.  The Sabbath service begins with an informal Preneg which was a table of snacks, veggies, crackers, etc. and wine, lemonade and water.  The Preneg is sort of like the Christian coffee hour but before the service and with wine! The Shabbat or service began at 6 pm.  

REFLECTIONS ON WORSHIP

MOOD

The mood was welcoming, though no one noticed me as a visitor except the young man who sat beside me.  He was very generous with helping me keep up with where in the prayer book we were in the service. The prayer book is arranged right to left.  (He reminded very much of my nephew, Michael!) I arrived as the Preneg was in progress and wandered around the building admiring the art. No one spoke to me. The stained glass is modern and beautiful and there was an exquisite sculpture in the hall dedicated to Rabbi Judith Schindler, along with beautiful needlepoint "windows" at the entrance to the worship space.   I wish I had taken pictures of the sculpture and stained glass.  I expected to find some on their website.

Tallits (prayer shawls) and kippah (head coverings) as you enter the worship space.
Needle point "windows" in background.

MUSIC

Music was provided by a Cantor who played an electronic keyboard.  The cantor had a beautiful voice and played the keyboard expertly, though the instrument did not fill up the large space well.  It was loud enough, but not very "rich".   The prayers and songs were all sung in Hebrew, with the Hebrew written, followed by the phonetic translation, followed by the English translation.  This was very helpful for following the service, though I did not even try to attempt even the phonetic translation and without music notes, I could not follow what was obviously to the congregation, familiar tunes.  That did not keep me from enjoying it however.  What struck me most were the variations in both meter and how softly the congregation would sing in the quiet solemn parts.  Most the the prayers and songs seemed to be based on the Psalms.  During one of the prayers we were asked to focus on our breath, and what is really important.  (I thought of Rev. Dick Little and how he would often emphasize breathing and liken our breath to God and the Holy Spirit!)  A few of the English translations of the Psalms, songs and prayers spoke to me:

• "How great are your works.  How subtle your designs."  
• "Lead me into the mystery."
• "There is no way to get from here to there except by joining hand and joining together."
• "Keep us holy, keep us who we are.  Lead us to Peace."

MESSAGE

A group from the congregation was leaving over the weekend for a trip to Israel.  The message tonight was given by Rabbi Miri Gold from Kehilat Bikat Shalom.  The group will be visiting her reform congregation and will celebrate Shabbat in Israel with them next Friday.  She focused mainly on the accomplishments and plight of the Reform Movement in Israel.  Obviously, they have had a struggle to be recognized and funded by the government.   The reform movement was only funded by the government after a lengthy Supreme Court battle in 2005.  At first they wanted her to go through the Ministry of Culture and Sports, but she and others stubbornly persisted in being recognized not as a culture, but as a religion.  Today there are only 15 reform rabbis in Israel.  She emphasized that though the reform movement in the United States did not have a vote in Israel, they had a significant voice, both by visiting in Israel and meeting with government officials and of course with financial support.  She asked for help creating tolerance in Israel.  Many there only see folks as either Orthodox or Secular.  She is struggling to add  Reform Judaism  to their consciousness.  After she spoke, some clapped, but most celebrated her message by snapping their fingers.

The service continued by recognizing a long list of those who had died (I think many had not just died, but this was the anniversary of their death.)  As their names were read, family members would stand.

The service ended with a blessing of the folks leaving for Israel.  The blessing ended with "let our prayers, lead us to peace."

OUTREACH AND OBSERVATIONS

• Again, no outreach was highlighted in the bulletin or announcements, though in describing Israel their commitment to LGBTQ  and women's rights were highlighted.  On their website they highlight domestic violence and affordable housing as emphases for advocacy and list Sterling Elementary, the Freedom School, Crop Walk and Environmental initiatives among their projects.  One unique project was Project Snowflake which recruits volunteers to work during Thanksgiving and Christmas in shelters, hospitals, and social service centers.
• I appreciated their comfortable theater seating.
• At the beginning of the service, Rabbi Knight recognized that some parishioners were participating by a live-stream broadcast.  He had everyone turn and wave to the cameras.  Though I've encountered several congregations who use this tool, this was the first time I saw it recognized during the service.
• Once again, I felt like a child, with only a surface understanding of what was going on during the Hebrew service.  The multiple translations and frequent announcement of page numbers kept me engaged.  
• In their literature they describe the Shabbat Service as a "moment of transformation from the workweek to that time of stopping or resting".  Their beautiful songs and prayers all point to this and seemed to have a theme of seeking God's (Adonai's) protection and preservation.

THIS WEEK'S EXTRA:  Abbie and Ella's First Communion at Living Savior Lutheran Church (see #37)
After several week's instruction by Pastor Angela, Abbie and Ella, my granddaughters, were welcomed to their First Communion.  It was a wonderful service celebrating Creation (a terrific poem juxtaposed with a great artistic slide show), The Holy Trinity, and several life transitions:  Abbie and Ella's First Communion, High School Graduations (the parents of the 3 graduates wrapped them in towels to remember their baptism and launch them into the world), new acolytes, and going to Confirmation Camp!  Thank you Pastor Angela, and Emily, Greg, Abbie and Ella and Great Aunts and Uncles for joining us in this faith milestone!

A Slide during announcements

Abbie and Ella with Pastor Angela

Me, husband David, Emily, my daughter with Abbie, Pastor Angela, Ella with Son-in-Law Greg,
Great Aunt Jennifer, Great Aunt Sharon (my sister) and Uncle Richard (relatives from South Carolina!)

BULLETIN:

#45 Worshiping as a Child on Pentecost

When I sent my rough draft to Father Tsourlis he asked for a meeting (we agreed to meet by phone) and wanted to clarify a few points.  My edits from our conversation are in italics and this is why this post was postponed until Thursday.  I sincerely appreciate his gracious and thoughtful responses to my blog post.

WHERE I WENT AND WHY
Visiting a Greek Orthodox church as been on my list from the beginning. Experiencing their ancient liturgy is something I've looked forward to.   I had wanted to have a "second Christmas"  and visit one during the Christmas season, but family obligations intervened.  I reserved Pentecost for my visit.  I went to the Divine Liturgy service at 9:30 am at Holy Trinity Greek Cathedral.

WHAT TO KNOW IF YOU WANT TO GO
Holy Trinity is located at 600 East Blvd. across from Dilworth Methodist between South Blvd. and Dilworth Road.  Parking was plentiful at 9:20 when I arrived, though folks were "creating" parking spaces when I left (there was a dinner on the grounds).  Dress was "church dressy" with all women in dresses or skirts.  Men wore collared shirts and some wore suits and ties.The calendar I consulted on their Website said that the Divine Liturgy would be in Greek and English.  This is true, but be prepared for more Greek than English.  And even the English is spoken with a heavy accent.  There was no bulletin, though the liturgy is printed in a book of worship in the pew in both English and Greek, however there are many variations and it was impossible to follow it completely with no guide.  (Father Tsourlis  pointed out that they offer a bi-weekly bulletin and a worship booklet to help with the Divine Liturgy for visitors.  However no one from the "welcoming committee" was present at 9:30 when I arrived.)

REFLECTIONS ON WORSHIP

MOOD

I just cannot say the mood was very welcoming.  When I arrived I asked 2 women coming from the parking lot where to go, and they acted like they did not know what I was asking or that there was even a service.  Finally an elderly woman said came up and showed me where to go. (Father T and I discussed the need for better signage from their parking lot.) When I entered there was a woman selling candles and accepting stewardship offerings in a box.  I told her I was a visitor and asked for advice.  She told me there was no bulletin or guide (only a generic pamphlet about stewardship).  She confirmed for me that I was not welcome at the Sacrament of the Eucharist because I was not baptized as Greek Orthodox (I was not surprised by this.)  I asked her if there were specific things I should do or not do to be respectful.  The only thing she said was to stand and sit as others did and not to cross my legs!  (Father T emphasized that she was not a member of the welcoming committee.)  When I arrived there were perhaps 50 people in the Sanctuary, but by the time of the Sacrament (after about an hour), the church was filled just about to capacity (I'd guess 350-400).  People wandered in continuously.  Very few children were present (at first I could count them on one hand) but just as the Eucharist was beginning many parents and children entered (from the nursery?).  (Father T explained the late arrival of many people to the service that it is common practice for parishioners who are baptized in the faith to not attend the first part of the Divine Liturgy before the Gospel (which is for everyone, the unbaptized. He also said that many people travel long times to attend the services.) 

I quickly figured out that I would not be able to follow the service in the Book of Worship.  I guess since this was Pentecost, they were using variations.  While I recognized many parts of the liturgy, there was no way to flip and find the place in the book without instruction.  Folks were respectful and often crossed themselves but did not participate in the liturgy except for 2 corporate prayers (one was the Lord's Prayer) and the Nicene Creed.    Also in the pew was a children's guide to the service.  I actually found this the most helpful and followed it as a guide.  I guess within Greek Orthodoxy, I am truly a child!

MUSIC

Music consisted of a group of Cantors to the right of the Chancel who began and ended the service with Greek chants.  Mostly men, they set a very reverential tone.  The choir was in a loft in the back and sang all of the hymns and responses.  Most of it was in Greek with occasional English words.  After a few minutes I began to recognize the  the Kyrie, however it had many more than the three responses with which I'm familiar.  I also began to recognize several Alleluias and Amens.  This actually took a while, for to my ears the Amen sounded like "Ahh-mean" and Alleluia was "Alla-lu-lee-ya" (with the emphasis on the 3rd syllable.)  All of this took much concentration and active listening!  As I looked around, folks were engaged, but did not participate verbally or sing.

MESSAGE
During the liturgy, there were two readings.  The first was chanted by the cantors from the Epistle of Acts.  It was the familiar Pentecost story, of the disciples receiving the Holy Spirit, like a fiery wind and speaking in tongues so that everyone heard the Gospel in their own language.  Later the Priest read from John 7 where Jesus is teaching in the Temple during the Festival of Booths.  He declares "Let anyone who is thirsty, come to me for out of the believer's heart shall flow rivers of living water."  Later in the passage the people begin to disagree about his Divinity and whether he is a prophet.  "No prophet is to arise from Galilee."  He referred to the reading once, but did not use it as a basis for his sermon.

Before the reading, the priest began his sermon assuring the people that  "we are not here to tell you what to do, but to serve and wash your feet."  He said that he and the other priest constantly pray and discuss how they can better serve the congregation.  "Do not feel alone.  We are next to you, praying for you."  He made it clear that this was something he wanted to say outside of and before the sermon.  I found the need for it a little curious.

In his message he equated Pentecost as the fulfillment of the Passover.  Christ passes over death in his Resurrection and the reception of the Holy Spirit begins the mystical time when our faith is strengthened through the Spirit.  He assured us that the Spirit as part of the Trinity has been with us even through Creation and the Laws of the Old Testament. Jesus used the spirit to cast out demons and to heal.  He received the blessing of the Holy Spirit at his Baptism.   However Pentecost is the beginning of the Church and the Holy Spirit came to at first 70 disciples, then 350, then to the Bishops, Priests, Deacons, and to the Laity through our Baptism.  We are now the vessels of the Holy Spirit, and it empowers the church to service and faith.  He did not elaborate on this or give concrete examples of using the Holy Spirit in service today's world.   

He tried to tell everyone how the Greek Orthodox church is different from other religions, but quite frankly, while I found this part the most interesting, it was very hard to follow.  For one thing, when he would get excited and want to emphasize a point, he would revert to Greek!  He rejected the Momons and Scientologists immediately, for he declared that they do not believe in the Trinity.  He recognized that some Protestants (he said, such as Lutherans and Presbyterians) do believe in the Trinity, but claim that they are the only true Christians.  He criticized the Muslims, but I could not follow it.  He spoke at length about differences with Catholics and I had a hard time following it also, but I think the gist of it was in the words of the Nicene Creed.  He says that Greek Orthodox Christians recognize the Holy Spirit from the beginning of Creation, but feels that Catholics believe that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are sequential. This has never been my understanding as a Lutheran. He talked about  sitting with other religions to talk out our theological differences every five years, but they "won't listen to us."  It was clear that he passionately believes that Greek Orthodoxy is to sustain and continue the ancient true faith.

OBSERVATIONS AND OUTREACH

The entrance to the altar and chancel

The dome with the large chandelier.  Other smaller chandeliers were above the aisles.

• No mention of outreach was spoken during the service.  Just reminders of other services.  I searched their website for opportunities for outreach and the only thing I could find was a tab called "Philoptochos" a society for the women in the church to form a committee to structure missions overseas and plan for service.  In their "time and talent" section in the stewardship pamphlet several ministries and programs were listed.  Most were about serving in the church through cooking, transportation, leading study groups, etc.  However they also listed blood drives, disaster relief, feeding the hungry, Habitat, and a prison ministry.  But I really had to search to find mentions of anything of service outside of the church. (Father T described many more outreach opportunities that the church sponsors to me and we talked about the importance of highlighting them both on the website and during announcements.  The most impressive was that the Woman's Phioptochos Society has donated over $45,000 in the past 12-18 months to folks in the community to use for such things as utility and medical bills.)
• It was special to hear the liturgy as close as possible to its origins in the church during the first century.  (Father T emphasized that the Orthodox church strives to keep the liturgy in the original Greek form as spoken by Christ and written by St. James.)
• The inside of the church is beautiful.  There are many icons and in the children's book, it asked the children to find the icon that is connected to their name.  The chandeliers were also amazing!
• Upon entering the church most folks kissed one of the icons that was on a lectern in front of the door.  Again, the children's book mentioned this and said that kissing the Saints, was like kissing your aunts or relatives when you visit.
• During the liturgy, the priest and the altar boys (in exquisite gold and red robes, that are based on ancient garments worn in the early church) took the host into the congregation entering a side aisle and returning to the chancel by the middle aisle. The altar boys carried candles, a cross and icons of Jesus and Mary while the priest carried the host.
• Only about a third of the congregation went forward for the Eucharist.  I found this curious.  Babies and adults all received the host from a spoon.  
• After the Benediction, everyone was invited (by rows) to come up and receive the blessed bread (large chunks served from a huge bowl).  This according to a pamphlet was not part of the Sacrament.
• In the expectations vs. reality department:  I expected more pageantry for Pentecost.  Maybe there was special music etc. and I just didn't recognize it.  I wore red and expected to see many others in red too, but did not.   
• I guess I really did look like a neophyte!  A lady behind me tapped me on the shoulder during the blessed bread ritual and told me I could buy books about Greek Orthodoxy in their bookstore.  I'm sure she saw me writing in my journal furiously and reading the worship and children's book! I just thanked her and didn't expound upon my dislike for selling things in the church.  I guess that is my Lutheran heritage.  Part of Luther's 95 Thesis included a rejection of selling indulgences.  Of course books and indulgences are a world apart!
• In our telephone discussion, Father Tsoulis wanted to emphasize that many folks (especially Evangelicals) confuse the Christian Orthodox Church with the Jewish Orthodox Church and claim that they are not Christian. I had never encountered this, but this was a very genuine concern for him.
• He also wanted to emphasize that there are other services, especially for converts, that are offered entirely in English at other times. (These were not clear to me on the calendar on their website.)

THIS WEEK'S EXTRA

Stewardship Pamphlet

I found this card AFTER church.  It explains the Sacrament and blessed bread