Last Sunday, I didn't make it over the bridge to First Congo, so I googled some churches in the area and settled on First Unitarian Universalist. Dan was not feeling churchy that day so he dropped me off and spent his Sunday morning worshipping in the aisles of Trader Joe's.
The church was a big, beautiful building, and the pews were nearly full. The service very much reminded me of Dan's and my former United Church of Christ church (Edgewood United) back in East Lansing. There was an organ and a choir and classical music. It was somewhat liturgical, but not as much as the Catholic church. There were three white men in robes leading the service (which differs from Edgewood where there was one white, lesbian pastor). But both churches mentioned various social justice issues up at the pulpit just like Edgewood would.
The congregation was mostly white older folks, with a few Asian-Americans and Latinas. Still no African-Americans. There were also some middle-aged folks as well as a few young people. Instead of a sermon, the choir was performing a requiem that day. I'm not a big fan. It was in a minor key and sounded very ominous. They were very good though. I'm sure there are a lot of people who would have enjoyed it. The congregation seemed to.
Their bulletin had a paragraph that read, "Who are we? We are thinkers and feelers, atheists and believers, Eastern and Western, children and adults, sinners and saints, gay and straight, rich and poor, New Agers and old timers, native San Franciscans and recent arrivals, conservatives and liberals, early birds and procrastinators. Our differences unite us. Surely there is a place for you too."
God was mentioned often, even though the website had a video titled "God is optional, you are not," (which, frankly, annoyed me). I felt very comfortable there as a Christian, but I really can't imagine everyone mentioned in the above paragraph feeling comfortable there, specifically atheists and conservatives.
Next week the sermon is called "Noah's Ark and Animal Rights," and they're having pets in the courtyard that you can adopt! I sat in that beautiful and sunny courtyard after church and watched a visiting Pagan group raise the May pole for May Day. I took note of the beautiful open space and wondered if I could sneak back there sometime just to catch some rays.
I felt very satisfied after going, even though it wasn't really my thing. I'm feeling venturesome lately, which is so different than last year when I was feeling sick, tired and overstimulated. I'm also conscience that I am experiencing more freedom in regard to other faiths and religions. I never would have gone to a Unitarian church in high school or early college. I feel much more solid in my own faith now and am less fearful of other religions and belief systems. And it's always nice to not think you have to convert the whole world to Christianity like I did in junior high and high school!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
#1- St. Paul's
The first church I visited in San Francisco was St. Paul's, a Catholic church in Noe Valley a couple of blocks from our apartment. They had sent us a nice welcome-to-the-neighborhood letter when we first moved to SF that said: you are welcome to come visit us, this is what we are about, and also, here is another list of all different kinds of places of worship in the area if our church is not your thing. Dan and I were impressed. We had also looked them up on the internet and discovered that Sister Act was filmed there! Woo hoo! I LOVE Sister Act.
The place was pretty empty the day we visited. We were attending the second and later service, however, so it's possible the first service had more people.
The service was, of course, very liturgical and formal. There was no way to know (as clueless, visiting Protestants) when to sit or stand or cross ourselves so we had to watch the people around us and follow them as closely as we could. Some part of me was definitely expecting the choir to break out into "My God" so I was a little disappointed, to say the least.
There were several people and even a large GROUP of people who came in just for the communion and then left afterwards. That was fascinating to me. I didn't go up for communion this time because I didn't know the routine and I was afraid the priest was going to persecute me in front of the whole congregation if he knew I wasn't Catholic. But I'm determined to ask one of my Catholic friends to teach me what to do, so I can participate next time.
There was an organ and hymns, which are not for me. The priest seemed nice. There were Latinos, Asian Americans and whites- no African-Americans.
Probably won't go back again unless I hear Whoopi is stopping by. It was nice to visit though!
The place was pretty empty the day we visited. We were attending the second and later service, however, so it's possible the first service had more people.
The service was, of course, very liturgical and formal. There was no way to know (as clueless, visiting Protestants) when to sit or stand or cross ourselves so we had to watch the people around us and follow them as closely as we could. Some part of me was definitely expecting the choir to break out into "My God" so I was a little disappointed, to say the least.
There were several people and even a large GROUP of people who came in just for the communion and then left afterwards. That was fascinating to me. I didn't go up for communion this time because I didn't know the routine and I was afraid the priest was going to persecute me in front of the whole congregation if he knew I wasn't Catholic. But I'm determined to ask one of my Catholic friends to teach me what to do, so I can participate next time.
There was an organ and hymns, which are not for me. The priest seemed nice. There were Latinos, Asian Americans and whites- no African-Americans.
Probably won't go back again unless I hear Whoopi is stopping by. It was nice to visit though!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
exploring
I've had the desire to explore other places of worship in San Francisco. I am not planning on leaving my home church in Oakland- I really don't think anything can compare. But I'm feeling adventurous lately and want to know what all is out there.
My church in Oakland is in major transition right now after the resignation of our prophet pastor a few months ago. There is a possibility that the church may die out in the next year or so, which would be very sad. All I know is that I always want to stay in touch with my family there, in some capacity. And I know I need a kick-ass place to worship with gospel/rock music.
But there are those days, when I don't feel like dancing and clapping and raising my hands and instead need quiet . . . or to be anonymous with strangers . . . or just need something different. So! . . . I'm going on an exploration and will keep this blog updated with my adventures!
My church in Oakland is in major transition right now after the resignation of our prophet pastor a few months ago. There is a possibility that the church may die out in the next year or so, which would be very sad. All I know is that I always want to stay in touch with my family there, in some capacity. And I know I need a kick-ass place to worship with gospel/rock music.
But there are those days, when I don't feel like dancing and clapping and raising my hands and instead need quiet . . . or to be anonymous with strangers . . . or just need something different. So! . . . I'm going on an exploration and will keep this blog updated with my adventures!
Saturday, May 1, 2010
energy work/body work=awesome shit
I've been practicing craniosacral and massage on my good friend and neighbor Meghan. She recently got her Reiki certificate and practiced on me tonight. It was amazing. I know there are a lot of people out there who can't comprehend how this shit works. But man, this shit works. It was so powerful. I just really believe that we were all made with the innate ability to put our hands on one another and heal each other. Thank you God for letting me into this new dimension of life.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
little human beings!
Um so . . . I'm already a little tired of cleaning. I was really enjoying it at first, but now that I'm practicing massage and CranioSacral more, I don't want to put all that repetitive strain on my arms and hands. It also seems that nannying and babysitting is what is really needed right now since there are so many families with both parents working.
So I've been hanging out with a 5 year old boy three days a week, picking him up from school, playing sports and cards with him, and then making him dinner before his mommies come home. I like him. It's taken him a few weeks to warm up to me, but now we're buddies. He's a thinker. Dan says he sounds like him when he was little.
I also just started hanging out with a 5 month old baby one day a week. I haven't babysat a baby since high school! But he seems pretty chill so far, I just make faces at him and then put him down for a nap. The family lives two blocks down from our apartment so that's nice.
I only watch the 10 year old girl that I was sitting before on an as-needed basis now, but her mom seems to be calling me about once a week so that's nice since I'm still super in-love with this girl. Yesterday I picked her and her 15 year old sister up from a salon where the 15 year old was getting her hair done for prom. (Prom- yay! I love those days!) A senior that she barely knows had asked her to prom and she was really nervous about it. We talked about important things like how she was going to pose for pictures and how she was going to do her makeup, etc. But we also had some after-school-special conversations about alcohol, drugs, and sex. It was great. :) I LOVE teen girls and preteen girls. They are still my favorite!
So like everything else in my life, it's just fascinating to see where God and the universe is taking me. I only have about 4 cleaning clients now and only one is weekly, the others are monthly.
I'm just thankful to be making money so we can stay in our cute little apartment in San Francisco and buy yummy food. That's what it's all about! Food and shelter are the best, right?
So I've been hanging out with a 5 year old boy three days a week, picking him up from school, playing sports and cards with him, and then making him dinner before his mommies come home. I like him. It's taken him a few weeks to warm up to me, but now we're buddies. He's a thinker. Dan says he sounds like him when he was little.
I also just started hanging out with a 5 month old baby one day a week. I haven't babysat a baby since high school! But he seems pretty chill so far, I just make faces at him and then put him down for a nap. The family lives two blocks down from our apartment so that's nice.
I only watch the 10 year old girl that I was sitting before on an as-needed basis now, but her mom seems to be calling me about once a week so that's nice since I'm still super in-love with this girl. Yesterday I picked her and her 15 year old sister up from a salon where the 15 year old was getting her hair done for prom. (Prom- yay! I love those days!) A senior that she barely knows had asked her to prom and she was really nervous about it. We talked about important things like how she was going to pose for pictures and how she was going to do her makeup, etc. But we also had some after-school-special conversations about alcohol, drugs, and sex. It was great. :) I LOVE teen girls and preteen girls. They are still my favorite!
So like everything else in my life, it's just fascinating to see where God and the universe is taking me. I only have about 4 cleaning clients now and only one is weekly, the others are monthly.
I'm just thankful to be making money so we can stay in our cute little apartment in San Francisco and buy yummy food. That's what it's all about! Food and shelter are the best, right?
Friday, February 19, 2010
makin' a living
I've been looking for all sorts of jobs on craigslist and have found it interesting that none of the social work-y types of jobs have panned out. And I'm not willing to do the full-time case management jobs anymore so that doesn't leave much left.
So right now I'm a "Mother's Helper" for a family right in the neighborhood. I hang out with their ten year old (and sometimes their 15 year old too), I tidy the house, do the laundry and sometimes cook. I'm really enjoying it! I'm already head over heels for the 10 year old. It's such a fun age, and we have a lot in common. She sings in a rock band that plays covers by bands like the White Stripes and Radiohead. She's already way cooler than me at age 10. She also takes hip hop dance class which inspired me to do the same.
I've also got about four clients now for my "green housecleaning" business that I started after I moved. It's fascinating to see inside different houses and apartments and to observe how people live. Even just to see all the different kinds of people who live in San Francisco is interesting. Everyone's here for a different reason.
I feel pretty content. I just need a few more cleaning clients so I can make enough for our budget. But otherwise, I would be perfectly happy doing this until I get further on the body work career path.
Screw 7 years of school, I'm going to CLEAN!!!
So right now I'm a "Mother's Helper" for a family right in the neighborhood. I hang out with their ten year old (and sometimes their 15 year old too), I tidy the house, do the laundry and sometimes cook. I'm really enjoying it! I'm already head over heels for the 10 year old. It's such a fun age, and we have a lot in common. She sings in a rock band that plays covers by bands like the White Stripes and Radiohead. She's already way cooler than me at age 10. She also takes hip hop dance class which inspired me to do the same.
I've also got about four clients now for my "green housecleaning" business that I started after I moved. It's fascinating to see inside different houses and apartments and to observe how people live. Even just to see all the different kinds of people who live in San Francisco is interesting. Everyone's here for a different reason.
I feel pretty content. I just need a few more cleaning clients so I can make enough for our budget. But otherwise, I would be perfectly happy doing this until I get further on the body work career path.
Screw 7 years of school, I'm going to CLEAN!!!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
new possibilities
I've been living in San Francisco for over four months now and have been thoroughly enjoying it! It's funny how easy transitions can be when you're on the right path and also when you let go and ride it.
I love how everything is so close, and I love being able to walk to the grocery stores, restaurants, stores, park, my new network chiropractor, my new craniosacral therapist, etc.! I love being neighbors with my friends and sharing weekly dinners with them. And this may sound super cheesy and cliche, but as soon as I moved here, I really felt like anything was possible. That I could be, do and wear anything I wanted!
So for now, this means going to school to become a body worker! A CranioSacral Therapist specifically. I took my first class through the Upledger Institute in January and absolutely loved it. I was telling my mom and Dan how everyone in the class could feel such subtle things in their bodies, and they both, on separate occasions, said, "Those are your people!" They ARE my people- woo hoo!
Among other things, I love how craniosacral therapy has such a solid, science-based foundation but then still leaves room for intuition and energy work. It's really amazing. It's worked wonders for me and my migraines and balance issues. And as I tell people what I'm doing, I keep hearing more and more stories of healing from people I didn't even know had heard of it. The only thing I'm concerned about is being able to switch from listening to my own body to listening to other people's bodies. But I'm assuming this will just take practice.
My next craniosacral class is in September, so meanwhile, I'm getting my massage therapy certificate. After a lot of research, it seems like this is the best way to get the "license to touch." I'm excited about it too though. It's all connected!
I love how everything is so close, and I love being able to walk to the grocery stores, restaurants, stores, park, my new network chiropractor, my new craniosacral therapist, etc.! I love being neighbors with my friends and sharing weekly dinners with them. And this may sound super cheesy and cliche, but as soon as I moved here, I really felt like anything was possible. That I could be, do and wear anything I wanted!
So for now, this means going to school to become a body worker! A CranioSacral Therapist specifically. I took my first class through the Upledger Institute in January and absolutely loved it. I was telling my mom and Dan how everyone in the class could feel such subtle things in their bodies, and they both, on separate occasions, said, "Those are your people!" They ARE my people- woo hoo!
Among other things, I love how craniosacral therapy has such a solid, science-based foundation but then still leaves room for intuition and energy work. It's really amazing. It's worked wonders for me and my migraines and balance issues. And as I tell people what I'm doing, I keep hearing more and more stories of healing from people I didn't even know had heard of it. The only thing I'm concerned about is being able to switch from listening to my own body to listening to other people's bodies. But I'm assuming this will just take practice.
My next craniosacral class is in September, so meanwhile, I'm getting my massage therapy certificate. After a lot of research, it seems like this is the best way to get the "license to touch." I'm excited about it too though. It's all connected!
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