Spaciousness and acceptance

What first got my attention at MPC was a January Yule Feast featuring fillet mignon, cabernet, and a circus of jugglers, acrobats and tightrope walkers.  Tightrope walkers in church? These people know how to enjoy themselves.  I then joined the Art Gang, going on excursions to Sea Ranch, Mendocino, Magnolia Press, Castelo de Amorosa.  There are dinner groups and drama discussion groups of Berkeley Rep plays, with dinner.  So the church became my social life.  At first I was put off at how “buzzy” it was before Sunday services, but then I realized these people are all friends–good friends.  It’s become my social support network.  I sing in the choir.  We often sing difficult music at which we work very hard.  Many fine voices.  This spring we did a small Bach Mass in G with professional soloists and chamber orchestra of baroque instruments. Many churches have put me off–their “stickiness.”  Here one can believe as one wishes.  There’s no pressure.  Spaciousness and acceptance to explore and test your beliefs, prejudices, limits.  People from other traditions often find MPC just the place they’ve been looking for.  This is the first church I’ve ever found that didn’t make me cry.  Joining a small group is a good way to get acquainted. For the many of those out there who describe yourself as spiritual but not religious, this is the place for you.

Carol Wolleson