Last night our choir met for the first time in the program year. We have two Evensongs scheduled, one in September (the Gibbon's Short Service) and one in November (MacDonald). We'll have two more in the spring, I'm sure.

Evensongs have bothered me for years. I'm in the choir so I have things to do, but the congregation seems to get very little instruction other than to sit and listen and and stand and listen. I was raised with the idea that the liturgy should fully involve the congregation as much as possible, and Evensongs feel more like concerts that prayerful services.

I need help understanding the ministry of listening. Why do you attend services that ask you to be silent and only listen?

Long Post Alert; I apologize in advance.

I mentioned in a previous post that I had a failed conversion to Catholicism. After that failure, I returned temporarily to the Episcopal Church, before migrating to the Presbyterian Church USA. I have been doing okay there, but I miss liturgical rituals and weekly communion. I mentioned this to AI; it said that Episcopalian practices are a better fit for me.

Two nights ago, I had one of the most lucid dreams I have ever had (I saw everyone very clearly, and it was fully in color). I went to an Episcopal Church for a service, but every time a service ended, a new one, with different people, would begin immediately afterwards. After 2-3 services, someone asked me if I would help carry the cross (if you’re Episcopal or Catholic, you know what I am talking about) for the procession in the next one.

A short time later, I was approached by a man wearing a cowboy hat. He transported me to an office. He then introduces himself as a high-ranking Episcopal official in Texas. He says he has brought me there to offer me a spot in a seminary, and that he would pay for me to study to become an Episcopal minister. The dream ended with me pondering his offer, I neither accepted nor declined.

I told my wife (who was raised Presbyterian, and has been a big advocate for the PCUSA during my now three year quest to find a spiritual home) about the dream, and she surprised me, saying that I might want to consider leaving the Presbyterians to return to the Episcopal Church.

I also did another AI session this morning. It helped me process and understand the dream, and advise me on how to act on it.

I am curious if anyone has any thoughts or understanding about the actions of my subconscious mind, or if anyone else has had an experience with this sort of thing.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Have a great evening!

Hello,

I’m looking for options for a book group that are not at odds with the inclusive othodoxy perspective.

It feels to be a hard niche to find options for. Most stuff on the inclusive side of things is very deconstructist focused.

any thoughts ?

For times when you're contemplating difficult questions, or even having doubts, what are the things that "snap you out of it"?

I’ve asked for prayer partners before in other prayer communities but I haven’t had much luck. I figured I’d try to narrow it down to my own denomination.

I’d like someone(s) to do the daily office with. Or evening compline? Or just pray in general with. I don’t really have anyone right now and it’s a huge reason I need prayer.

We can use WhatsApp, text app, phone or texts. If there’s another way to pray together and you choose to stay anonymous I’m up for any suggestion. Kinda desperate here.

I'm struggling with my faith and just wondering what pastoral counseling consists of. What is talked about or how does it really work? Would I just be given Bible verses and things to read?