tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post1823282756772103680..comments2024-03-18T08:33:25.907-04:00Comments on Inkwell Inspirations: What Makes a Church Unique?Lisa Karon Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02175430876079208723noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-52037184078949340312011-03-11T11:32:16.790-05:002011-03-11T11:32:16.790-05:00Very cool post, Anita. I loved reading about your ...Very cool post, Anita. I loved reading about your church experiences. I think that a Ukranian church would be interesting to visit. <br /><br />I love the pic of your husband and son together.<br /><br />Dina, your church sounds awesome and I can totally picture you there soaking it all in. :-)Suzie Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06296203324088418271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-87938943795524206562011-03-11T10:09:30.418-05:002011-03-11T10:09:30.418-05:00Of course it was a crazy busy after your big '...Of course it was a crazy busy after your big 'call' announcement. <br /><br />I think this is a wonderful way to express what's in your heart during worship. The boys brought artwork home from first one and then a second retreat this year. The church was so impressed, they're going to display them for all to see.<br /><br />However, Nick doesn't want to bring his in because itAnita Mae Draperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16618699900826731377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-85433817609736402992011-03-11T08:52:57.341-05:002011-03-11T08:52:57.341-05:00CJ, bless you for having an open spirit in your se...CJ, bless you for having an open spirit in your search for a new church. <br /><br />And I hope you are reading this, Christine, because CJ's story is a reassurance that if you allow Him to guide you, He'll lead you to a church that needs you as much as you need it/them.<br /><br />Your comment is such a blessing, CJ. Thank you.<br /><br />Anita Mae.Anita Mae Draperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16618699900826731377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-35811202778670084052011-03-11T08:45:50.997-05:002011-03-11T08:45:50.997-05:00Deb, your description of the churches with the ...Deb, your description of the churches with the 'guard tower' sound like all the United (UCC) ones here. We have Presbyterian too, but it's the United that are big and imposing. <br /><br />You sound comforted to finally have a 'real' dedicated santuary. You reminded me of a time we attended church in a school auditorium for half a year but I can't remember why. Mom was a &Anita Mae Draperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16618699900826731377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-27674763692093928812011-03-11T07:29:13.975-05:002011-03-11T07:29:13.975-05:00Yikes, sorry I didn't stop by yesterday, Anita...Yikes, sorry I didn't stop by yesterday, Anita. I've been crazy busy. <br /><br />Our church is unique in the expression of the worship arts. We use a lot of dance and drama. We also have easels in the back for people to paint during worship. For most of the last year, our painters have worked on giant murals for both sides of the sanctuary.Dina Sleimanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05214446103057806111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-29538506282548198392011-03-10T23:36:30.494-05:002011-03-10T23:36:30.494-05:00When we first married, my husband said he wanted t...When we first married, my husband said he wanted to attend a small church. We found one, and worshipped there for many years. Then we moved to this area -- and ended up in a church that seats about 1,500. Quite a change.<br /><br />In the small church, we knew everyone. Go out of town for a weekend, and you had a bulletin in your mailbox by Tuesday, which I always thought was kind of cool -- madeC.J. Chasehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02026386802434435296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-12084727302817028532011-03-10T21:29:52.229-05:002011-03-10T21:29:52.229-05:00I have only gone to two churches since my teen yea...I have only gone to two churches since my teen years (started out at a very traditional Presbyterian church that was big gray stone block with castle type "guard tower" along the roof). The two churches were both non-denominational and were housed and held in old school buildings. <br />Just last year my church bought two buildings from a landscape business and now we have a real Debra E. Marvinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17853387871623424853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-41061305766252355322011-03-10T17:23:25.814-05:002011-03-10T17:23:25.814-05:00You are so right, Niki. I've been in those kin...You are so right, Niki. I've been in those kinds of churches, too. Since the cost of making pads for our pews is just way too high for our small budget, the board is thinking of replacing them with chairs. But as someone who takes a turn and cleans the church, I can't imagine how much time it would take to move all those chairs around to clean properly around the legs. And with the Anita Mae Draperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16618699900826731377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-48230924330509999872011-03-10T16:25:38.411-05:002011-03-10T16:25:38.411-05:00You are so right, Anita, the "trappings"...You are so right, Anita, the "trappings" don't matter a bit as long as the Word of God and the message of Christ are being preached.<br /><br />We have padded chairs. I personally would prefer pews, because chairs are forever getting out of place. <br /><br />We also have lots of contemporary music... my daughter is our worship leader (sings and plays keyboard), son #1 plays guitar,Niki Turnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10419436634375255412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-62291025822661958452011-03-10T15:24:10.957-05:002011-03-10T15:24:10.957-05:00Hey Susie, talk about an altar story. So reassurin...Hey Susie, talk about an altar story. So reassuring that the president was a godly man, though. We need those kind in power. <br /><br />And can you imagine... when we get to heaven, we'll get to walk amongst all those people who were considered 'great' here on earth. And of course, those like Jesus who were truly great, but not appreciated.<br /><br />I've sat in many padded Anita Mae Draperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16618699900826731377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-34800749988309564242011-03-10T15:09:13.165-05:002011-03-10T15:09:13.165-05:00Hey Elaine, snow? Again? It finally stopped snowin...Hey Elaine, snow? Again? It finally stopped snowing day before yesterday. I just went outside because I heard something flying overhead and the sun is gorgeous and warm! My temp says 7C but the official ones say 1C/34F. But, how long ago was that? Mind you, another hour and it'll start cooling off again. <br /><br />Padded chairs, eh. When my butt had more padding I didn't mind, but now Anita Mae Draperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16618699900826731377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-79550970575161661832011-03-10T14:39:32.955-05:002011-03-10T14:39:32.955-05:00I love this post, Anita! Your church sounds wonder...I love this post, Anita! Your church sounds wonderful, and I like how you all do music. Great picture of Nick and Nelson!<br /><br />I've attended many churches in my time but it does seem like the vast majority of them have had wooden pews.<br /><br />Our church has some unique architectural features, and our altar has a story: it was on display at the Pan American Exposition in NY in 1901, Susanne Dietzehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09710634601407161821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-67446913758970426752011-03-10T13:07:05.524-05:002011-03-10T13:07:05.524-05:00You have sure experienced a variety of worship opt...You have sure experienced a variety of worship options in your lifetime! I've been more limited, particularly now that I work for our denomination but I have visited a few liturgical services and like their emphasis on scripture too<br /><br />And I liked your comment above that mentioned it not mattering about the name above the door as long as God's word is preached. That is SO true.<Elaine Knoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-35079305888925728582011-03-10T10:08:52.283-05:002011-03-10T10:08:52.283-05:00I was brought up Catholic, but was always looking ...<i>I was brought up Catholic, but was always looking outside the box!</i><br /><br />Cheryl, that's a great way to look at it! :D<br /><br />When you mentioned creative, I immediately thought of Dina because she uses creative dance in her worship. <br /><br />One of our members sometimes uses the gauzy 'flags'. She'll go into the foyer where there's room to move and we'll Anita Mae Draperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16618699900826731377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-85951655853268700722011-03-10T09:58:18.891-05:002011-03-10T09:58:18.891-05:00Oh Lisa, you've truly had some unique experien...Oh Lisa, you've truly had some unique experiences. Now that makes me wonder if places used as churches on Sunday only are consecrated before each service? <br /><br />That reminds me about the protestant church on one of the air bases I worked on. I didn't attend this one, but worked across the street from it. And one weekday morning, the parking lot was packed with cars and MP vehicles Anita Mae Draperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16618699900826731377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-40002263069782790352011-03-10T09:40:47.001-05:002011-03-10T09:40:47.001-05:00Hey Christine, I hear you there. Looking for a chu...Hey Christine, I hear you there. Looking for a church is not an easy task. There are so many different churches out there and each have their own good points and faults. Some preach more about Jesus while others preach more about the Holy Spirit. But as long as they follow and preach on God's Word, what does the name outside the door mean?<br /><br />On your search, pray for guidance before Anita Mae Draperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16618699900826731377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-5968668496025535792011-03-10T08:28:11.370-05:002011-03-10T08:28:11.370-05:00Wow, Anita, you've really had some church expe...Wow, Anita, you've really had some church experiences!<br /><br />I was brought up Catholic, but was always looking outside the box! <br /><br />Our little town had "ecumenical services" during lent which were hosted by a different church each Sunday. It was my first exposure to anything creative taking place in CHURCH... plays, art, special music, etc.<br /><br />Loved it!Cheryl Klarichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12633250643087095689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-81185106210597552742011-03-10T07:26:43.646-05:002011-03-10T07:26:43.646-05:00We've got padded pews now and awesome music. T...We've got padded pews now and awesome music. Though I've sat on pretty much everything from wooden benches, to those white plastic patio chairs. The church in Gabon was so tight on space that they set out all the seats right up to the podium. Then they would collect up the chairs when it was time for altar call, so that there was room for people to move.<br /><br />In Seychelles, there Lisa Karon Richardsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02175430876079208723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-10005919359089413062011-03-10T07:00:37.170-05:002011-03-10T07:00:37.170-05:00What unique experiences! I'm sure there's ...What unique experiences! I'm sure there's a wealth of stories to draw upon for your writing. <br /><br />I am between churches right now. My father was my pastor for most of my life. When he died several years ago, the church brought in a pastor who only stayed for about 16 months. The church split and our family was voted out. My mom and one of my sisters moved one direction and my Christine Longhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03486689943654395534noreply@blogger.com