Church

After a long time searching for a new church in Durham, we've chosen an historic Methodist church a few blocks away. It first we just thought we'd settle for a place that was an ok fit for us, since it was close by and had good classical music. However, as time has gone on, we think that's it's actually quite a good fit for us (though we sometimes roll our eyes a bit at the exceedingly hierarchical nature of Methodism).

Several things we like about our new church:
- Classical music -- We loved our church in Raleigh, but never loved the rock/pop music style. Great organ music and classic hymns are refreshing. Doug has also gotten a chance to participate. He's resisted the pull to join the choir, but has sung and played his trumpet a few times this summer while the choir is on break, and has plans to sing a solo with the choir, and to play a trumpet duet this fall. I am thankful that he can do all this without needing me to accompany, as that is something I just don't have time to do well right now!

- Good kids program. Ian really enjoys playing with the kids there. There are several 3 and 4 year olds, and this is an age group he really likes -- they know lots of things they can teach him, but aren't too old to have play interests in common. We have taken advantage of the fact that childcare is available during early service, Sunday school, and late service. Ian and Doug go for the early service, and while Ian is in childcare, Doug gets a chance to record his daily podcast in a quiet room. I stay home and get a glorious hour+ of time to clean the house (and write blog posts) without any interruption! Then I join Doug for the second service, and we pick Ian up afterwards. Ian and I go back in late afternoon for him to play with the kids again while I go to the charitable knitting group -- a nice chance to get to know some other women and do something useful (we knit hats for the homeless, blankets for cancer/HIV wards, and prayer shawls), and it gives Doug his hour to have the house to himself.

- Thoughtful congregation. We find both the pastor and the congregation to be thoughtful people in general. They seem to be at a good balance of intellectual engagement (there's a large academic presence from Duke), and practical faith. There is a lot going on to serve the community, as the church is in a needy downtown area, but social justice is not the primary focus of the church (we tried one other local church where everything was reinterpreted in the context of social justice - a bit too much for us).

It's really nice being able to walk to church. Something about walking to your destination is much more peaceful than packing into the car and driving. We've been taking the stroller, but last week Ian insisted that he could walk all the way himself, and he did. Here he is starting out towards church this morning with Daddy:



Note that he's wearing a jacket -- this is the first cool morning we've had in a long, long time, after a record number of over-90 days this summer (i.e. pretty much every day for months, often with highs over 95). Wish you would stay with us, fall!