Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got.
Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot.
Wouldn't you like to get away?
Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name,
and they're always glad you came.
You wanna be where you can see,
our troubles are all the same
You wanna be where everybody knows
Your name.
You wanna go where people know,
people are all the same,
You wanna go where everybody knows
your name.
Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot.
Wouldn't you like to get away?
Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name,
and they're always glad you came.
You wanna be where you can see,
our troubles are all the same
You wanna be where everybody knows
Your name.
You wanna go where people know,
people are all the same,
You wanna go where everybody knows
your name.
Shouldn't the above lyrics be apropos to the Church instead of the local bar? Too often it is not. A former pastor of mine once said, "The reason some people don't go to church is because they have been." With the influx of evangelicals, pagans, atheists and seekers alike to the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church- The Orthodox Church, it is important to be aware of the non-Orthodox among us. At Coffee Hour, set down your coffee. Walk away from your familiar friends and family and learn the name of the stranger among you. You may be entertaining angels unaware but it is more likely you are securing the soul of one who, but for your love, may never pass your way again.
So true...... I have attended numerous parishes across North America. Warmth and friendlyness are not two words I would use to describe the majority of parishes. Largely it has been the clergy that are welcoming but coffee hour is lonely. One of my favorite parishes St. Georges in Portland, OR is a dynamic parish but a number of times I made the effort, even approaching people and every effort failed. I stopped going. The best parish ever was St. Athanasius parish in South Sacramento. I have never felt so welcome on any church Orthodox or protestant. There wasn't any of that awkwardness.
ReplyDeleteThe Greek Orthodox Parish in Anchorage, AK was second in warmth, the Greek Orthodox parish in Lewiston, Maine was also very warm. St. Anna Greek Orthodox parish in Roseville, CA is also a very warm and welcoming parish.
My own parish is very welcoming but there is only a little over a half dozen of us so it is easy.