Baptism meeting with father

seven-day-weekend

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

When we're on holiday, we often go to the local Anglican service, which is for all the expats. I find I spend my time wondering WHY this bit has to be said at the altar, and that bit not, and the like. But it does me good, as I say of another church I go to sometimes "I go from time to time to remind myself why I DON'T go there."

I agree again. Whilst occasionally enjoying a more formal service to my usual, I always find that I would much rather have our informal worship, even with its loudness and business, than be limited by having to sit down, stand up, speak and gesture at a time and in a way laid out by someone else. It's MY worship, not someone else's, and I want to be free to express it as and when and how I wish.

Horses for courses.

Gloomendoom

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

Horses for courses.

It is. I have, on occasion, attended my parents-in-law's happy-clappy church. I'm not keen on it it because they never seem to sit down at all and my hands end up hurting with all the clapping. Anglican services are cleverly designed to give your legs a rest now and again.

My sister-in-law's church is also a happy-clappy affair although on a much larger scale. It's run more on the lines of a rock concert than a traditional church service. The demographic is mainly young southeast asian. They seem to have got the formula correct as, despite the venue being a large sports hall, they are currently running two sittings and are on the verge of adding a third.
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Torry_Quine

Gloomendoom wrote: »

It is. I have, on occasion, attended my parents-in-law's happy-clappy church. I'm not keen on it it because they never seem to sit down at all and my hands end up hurting with all the clapping. Anglican services are cleverly designed to give your legs a rest now and again.

My sister-in-law's church is also a happy-clappy affair although on a much larger scale. It's run more on the lines of a rock concert than a traditional church service. The demographic is mainly young southeast asian. They seem to have got the formula correct as, despite the venue being a large sports hall, they are currently running two sittings and are on the verge of adding a third.
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At my church people sit when they want and no-one is bothered. Clapping isn't compulsory either!

seven-day-weekend

Same here. You don't HAVE to do anything. You worship God in a manner that is right at the time. 'In Spirit and Truth' as it says in the BIble.

We must be doing something right too, as our new building's planned-for extension is having to be built three years early.

http://lifespringministries.co.uk/

margaretclare

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

When we're on holiday, we often go to the local Anglican service, which is for all the expats. I find I spend my time wondering WHY this bit has to be said at the altar, and that bit not, and the like. But it does me good, as I say of another church I go to sometimes "I go from time to time to remind myself why I DON'T go there."

Oh no. I avoid the expats! I try to go to the nearest cathedral. I went to morning Mass when we were in Alicante. The only difference (apart from the language) was that you don't receive communion in your hand, but on your tongue.

margaretclare

missbiggles1 wrote: »

I don't believe you can link American cultural imperialism (which is what Santa is about) to multiculturalism.

I agree. It reminds me of that TV programme 'The men who made us spend money'.

Savvy_Sue

margaretclare wrote: »

Oh no. I avoid the expats! I try to go to the nearest cathedral. I went to morning Mass when we were in Alicante. The only difference (apart from the language) was that you don't receive communion in your hand, but on your tongue.

Where we usually go on holiday, the choices are Catholic mass in Spanish (which might as well be in Latin, I'd probably be better able to follow it then!), a couple of English speaking house church / free evangelical meetings, or the Anglican evening service. We don't seek out English food or English company most of the time, but I don't feel I can turn my nose up at those who have chosen to live in or visit our favourite holiday destination, and I find being able to converse with my fellow Christians preferable to friendly nods and smiles. Plus we've had some excellent tips from them on places to visit and eat where the food is NOT aimed at the English!

And I know you like to do different things and visit different places, which we do too, but we have our reasons for going back.