Friendly Arctic Press

Lent

I have never really done anything. For the next forty days, I am going to get ride of one item of mine every day.

Church.

I have never had to "church hunt" before. Friends and family have always been my guide into the spiritual family. But here, where friends and family have we none, church hunting was...depressing. I dreaded the notion. Growing up, I had been around for various church hunting expeditions. From my point of view, which ever church gave the best goody bag filled with pens and tracks was best.

The object of finding a "good" church was further complicated by my work schedule, having Fridays and Saturdays off, working on Sunday.

Well, this past Saturday, we took the plunge (I admit, although I brought it up, I was very tempted to "not feel like it")

Here is my analysis...

1. The Church was huge, they had their very own sign...and traffic instructions for the parking lot: -50 points.
2. When we walked in, the greeters smiled at us, but did not try to give us anything or engage in conversation: +15 points
3. They had a book store/coffee shop in the lobby, along with an electronic ATM looking thing for giving the church money: +10/-35 points
4. Eisley was playing throughout the church: +59 points
5. Most people there looked to be middle age-well off: -39 points
6. The preacher was not as self-deprecating and sarcastic as I would like: -40 points
7. They had a votive candle prayer table: +60 points
8. I saw a man cross himself during communion: +35 points
9. They let us take our child without DNA scanning us: -20 points
10. They played a movie with a girl doing a poetry/rap thing about poverty etc which made me cry: +30 points

TOTAL: +25 Points

I guess we will go back.