Fast forward. I went, I fell in love (literally) with the liturgy, and with my husband's blessing, in 2012, went through Confirmation classes and joined. In 2013, the groom and one daughter did the same, and last year two more daughters did likewise. Youngest son is on the fence about all of the rigmarole, as is my husband. They go, but aren't interested in getting the secret handshake, so to speak. Ah, but they go. That's the main thing.
What's so amazing about our church, and not sure if it's indicative of the whole Episcopalian experience, is the worship. Even Gary said the same thing. The service isn't centered on a pastor's sermon or teaching. With the kneeling and the crossing of yourself, and the bowing before the altar both coming in and going out of the pews, it's about showing deference to the Lord. And I think for many of us, that's sometimes a bit awkward. An outward display of a servant's heart.
I'm afraid we Protestants have so disinfected our churches that we've taken out the wonder. The aspect of God's Holiness is sometimes missing. We become so enamored in church attendance numbers and building huge fortresses that the worship part of our lives is missing. Wonder what would happen if those churches that focus mainly on preaching would have a service of thankfulness and praise. Not mindless praise music that goes on forever, but those old hymns that focus on God's Holiness. Quiet praise.
I suspect we'd witness some broken spirits and tears. And a healing.
