[Magdalen] Calvary, Pittsburgh

[Jay Weigel]

While I don't want to be swarmed, or pointed out as an example, if I go
to a church and no one speaks to me, it's a pretty sure bet I will NOT be
back. If it happens twice, you can be DAMN sure of it.

On Sunday, June 14, 2015, James Oppenheimer-Crawford <
oppenheimerjw at gmail.com> wrote:

> I would not be sure what to do either, since I've run into people who are
> interested in anonymity in church, and actively don't want anyone to
> intrude on them. And there are those who are put off if they are not fully
> greeted.  It's the luck of the draw, but no matter what we do, we can't
> win.  And with a general hesitation to approach strangers, the average
> person is probably going to get a less than hearty reception.
>
> I sometimes wish they would just put badges at the door.
> "I would love to be greeted" in bright green
> "God's peace to you, but please leave me in it." with a black band around
> the badge.
>
> James W. Oppenheimer-Crawford
> *“A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved,
> except in memory. LLAP**”  -- *Leonard Nimoy
>
> On Sun, Jun 14, 2015 at 5:38 PM, ROGER STOKES <
> roger.stokes65 at btinternet.com <javascript:;>
> > wrote:
>
> > Following recommendations from listren I went to the 11 o'clock Eucharist
> > at Calvary this morning, and I have to admit some disappointment. I know
> > it's Summer and I don't know if the Pittsburgh Pride Procession had
> > anything to do with it but I felt the service was distinctly low key.
> The
> > bulletin said the Curate would be the celebrant but in fact the Assisting
> > Priest doubled in that role as well as being homilist.
> >
> > There were just two other robed people in the altar party, one of them
> > being the crucifer.  At the end of the service he followed the priest and
> > the other server to the West End of the church rather than preceding her.
> > A few people did say "Good Morning" to me but nobody invited me to Coffee
> > Hour.  A stranger in a clerical collar sitting in the congregation,
> > wouldn't you assume they were a visitor and somebody would strike up a
> > conversation?
> > Based on that experience I would not return if I were to be in Pittsburgh
> > again.  I will see what happens when I roll up at a different church next
> > Sunday.
> > Roger
> >
>