So I went to church for the first time in years...

[Sonoran Silkies]

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They do make a kind of marker that only works on special paper.

 

[Buff Hooligans]

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x2 And like others said, people inside churches are the same as people outside churches - there's the same mix of personalities and social gifts. However, you'd like to think that the people inside churches are searching for ways to become nicer, more loving and giving people than they naturally are. That's why I myself go to church, to try to become more compassionate and understanding. (Wish me luck!)

 

[MeatKing]

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They do make a kind of marker that only works on special paper.

I realize this, bit Ihavn't found the money tere yet

 

[gallinamama]

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Oh my goodness, can I relate. I belong to our church for 10 years now... Do you know that I do not know anyone personally!! It is not for lack of trying... I have helped out at funtions, decorated the church a couple of times for Christmas... went to study classes.. It seems that some churches have what you call clicks...Groups that tend to work in the church that don't seem to let others in. I also mentioned numerous times and put in the suggestion box.. To have people at the entrances of the doors to welcome people to church... some of the ushers do but it is just to say good morning.
I also mentioned that when someone is sick or in the hospital they should have a committee or group that delegates a person or two to go visit.. this has never happened..

This church is a very large church... and I guess I have a hard time fitting in. I am in the process of changing my church.. it makes me sad.. because two of my daughters were married there and two of my grandchildren baptized .

 

[Camelot Farms]

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Oh my goodness, can I relate. I belong to our church for 10 years now... Do you know that I do not know anyone personally!! It is not for lack of trying... I have helped out at funtions, decorated the church a couple of times for Christmas... went to study classes.. It seems that some churches have what you call clicks...Groups that tend to work in the church that don't seem to let others in. I also mentioned numerous times and put in the suggestion box.. To have people at the entrances of the doors to welcome people to church... some of the ushers do but it is just to say good morning.
I also mentioned that when someone is sick or in the hospital they should have a committee or group that delegates a person or two to go visit.. this has never happened..

This church is a very large church... and I guess I have a hard time fitting in. I am in the process of changing my church.. it makes me sad.. because two of my daughters were married there and two of my grandchildren baptized .

gallinamama....I hear ya! We came from a small close knit church in WNY where there were often generations of families sitting in the pews. We knew who was sick, who was having a baby, who needed what etc.
When we moved here, we found it to be a very 'transient' area. Folks move in and out all of the time. Here today and gone tomorrow.

I went steadily for over a year and still didnt know more than 4 or 5 people. When you have been coming regularly for a year and people still come up and ask if you are new to the area and intro themselves, it makes you wonder. And as some of you know....I can be a pretty memorable person. lol. I am currently exploring my other church options looking for a new church home.

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

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Nice to know I'm not alone here. I moved to my current home 4 years ago and immediately started looking for a new church. After trying out a dozen churches I landed at one I really liked. I joined a Sunday School class, volunteered to help out with stuff and generally made a huge effort to be a part of things. A year later I was still sitting alone, had no friends, and generally was miserable. I have repeated that process a couple of times since then with the same results. I finally quit trying. I figure I just don't fit. I'm old and single and have no kids. I don't fit in with the married-with-kids and people don't move out of their clicks. Sad, but my reality. I stay at home on Sunday mornings and figure God will either send me a church and church friends or He will understand why I spend Sunday morning at home. It's not worth the emotional trauma and angst. Any spiritual benefit is lost in the aloneness.

 

[gallinamama]

I don't think we are talking about different faiths here either... I think it happens everywhere. I was raised Protestant and married an Italian.. his family was all Catholic.. so I raised my children in the Catholic faith.. took them every sunday. It wasn't until they were almost grown that I became a Catholic myself.
This being said, I have generally lost a bit of faith in the Catholic church, I think because of where I go. I am not happy there. We went to a few communions this year.. and I noticed that this one church did everything a bit differently. I just loved the way it felt. I have been thinking about going back there.

I think you have to find someplace where you feel comfortable. It isn't the Church but how you feel celebrating with God. I went to my brothers church in Tennessee.... Although they do things a bit different there, I found the people are so friendly, and they not only provide the sunday service but have the young people check in on the elderly in the church... they call them, make sure they have a ride to the doctor etc. They also provide free medical visits.. At the church.. the Nurses there go once a week to provide free health checks. They also have a Food and Clothes closet for anyone who needs help in that area... They also visit the sick.

This to me is what a church should be... not just doing your sermon, collecting the money and having people go on their way... In this day and age when times are tough for everyone, volunteering to help one another doesn't cost a dime. It just might be better than the sermon itself.

Now that I have said mine.... Have a wonderful Day!