Don and I went to our SS class and heard the poetry readings, then went to Warehouse 242 for church. The son-in-law of some friends of ours delivered the message. His text was about the Good Samaritan and he told the congregation a lot about why the "rabbis" and the "deacons" went to the other side of the road. They were probably scared they would become unclean if they touched a dead body so they left the poor guy on the road for dead. The Samaritan, who was a less-thought-of member of society went over to help and wound up saving the man's life. The Warehouse people helped us find a parking place, led us to the area used for the sermon and congregation. In other words, they treated us like members in good standing or honored guest at their house of worship. The lights were dimmed in their sanctuary area and Don and I liked that. It gave us a chance to be reflective on the message or find some peace without feeling crowded in. At the end of the sermon, there was a band who played and everyone joined in singing songs. The words were put on a screen so everyone could see them. The only song we knew was Amazing Grace which we joined in with some zeal.
As I say, we felt very welcomed by everyone. We have been to two services at the Reformed Temple here in Charlotte and we were more ignored than anything, at least the second time. We saw one or two people we knew from our classes on Judaism and at least one of them was very friendly to us but Don tried to strike up a conversation with one gentlemen while we were eating before the Shabbat service and the guy just did not pick up on it at all. Still, we enjoyed the service very much and find the chanted Hebrew beautiful. While hard to follow, neither of us got completely lost in the service and there is a message in the middle of the service that is delivered in English and every now and then there is a prayer in English. Both of us would go back in a minute and want to try out a service after the Temple is finally renovated as we think that will make a difference in the "feel" of the service. I really did enjoy it and could go every week for a while but the Jewish people really do eat before the service (usually contributed by a family whose child has been bar or bat mitzvahed) and I feel a little weird just going there and partaking a free meal every time. No collection or contribution jars have been in sight either before or during any services there. I guess people contribute in a more formal way than a collection plate.
Anyway, back to Warehouse 242. This is a makeshift church started in the middle of one of the "worst" sections of town, at least by reputation. I take it this church tries to bring up the neighborhoods surrounding it and tries to help those who can't help themselves. They are trying to raise $48,000 for (something to help) and have so far gotten about $20,000 of the needed money. I hope and pray they make it as they don't want to go in debt just now. What a difference from my church where they would probably have the $48,000 by the following Sunday if they asked from the pulpit.
During the singing phase of the service, which was the last thing done, I spotted our friends, Jim and Nancy and went up to see them. They were thrilled to see us there. After the service was over, we met the preacher (Jim and Nancy's son-in-law) and his wife (Jim and Nancy's daughter) and their 3 children.
One of the children is adopted from an African country and wants food available every moment, else she cries. They keep Cheerios and such available for her to munch at all times. We all decided to go to my favorite Sunday breakfast place, Phil's Deli, which is out near the Temple area. Phil is Jewish and he and his wife and grown children are the wait staff at the restaurant. All are friendly as can be and tease us all about our little quirks. It is wonderful that they remember the quirks week after week but we do go there consistently after church on Sunday. We asked the preacher if he could name the books of the Old and New Testaments in order. Don has a standing promise to give anyone who does that for him $50 for their favorite charity. The guy did it. No time to study or practice, just sat there and did it. Don promptly wrote a check to the guy's favorite charity and gave it to him to deliver. The little boys could quote long sections from the Bible and the least one said a long memorized prayer before we ate. I was so impressed by them all. And Nancy and Jim's daughter is lovely as can be and such a great and devoted mom.
What a blessing and honor to be with these folks last Sunday. I hope we can repeat our visit to Warehouse 242 when this same guy is delivering the message on Sunday. Truly, the service and the breakfast after, were both such enjoyable experiences.
As I say, we felt very welcomed by everyone. We have been to two services at the Reformed Temple here in Charlotte and we were more ignored than anything, at least the second time. We saw one or two people we knew from our classes on Judaism and at least one of them was very friendly to us but Don tried to strike up a conversation with one gentlemen while we were eating before the Shabbat service and the guy just did not pick up on it at all. Still, we enjoyed the service very much and find the chanted Hebrew beautiful. While hard to follow, neither of us got completely lost in the service and there is a message in the middle of the service that is delivered in English and every now and then there is a prayer in English. Both of us would go back in a minute and want to try out a service after the Temple is finally renovated as we think that will make a difference in the "feel" of the service. I really did enjoy it and could go every week for a while but the Jewish people really do eat before the service (usually contributed by a family whose child has been bar or bat mitzvahed) and I feel a little weird just going there and partaking a free meal every time. No collection or contribution jars have been in sight either before or during any services there. I guess people contribute in a more formal way than a collection plate.
Anyway, back to Warehouse 242. This is a makeshift church started in the middle of one of the "worst" sections of town, at least by reputation. I take it this church tries to bring up the neighborhoods surrounding it and tries to help those who can't help themselves. They are trying to raise $48,000 for (something to help) and have so far gotten about $20,000 of the needed money. I hope and pray they make it as they don't want to go in debt just now. What a difference from my church where they would probably have the $48,000 by the following Sunday if they asked from the pulpit.
During the singing phase of the service, which was the last thing done, I spotted our friends, Jim and Nancy and went up to see them. They were thrilled to see us there. After the service was over, we met the preacher (Jim and Nancy's son-in-law) and his wife (Jim and Nancy's daughter) and their 3 children.
One of the children is adopted from an African country and wants food available every moment, else she cries. They keep Cheerios and such available for her to munch at all times. We all decided to go to my favorite Sunday breakfast place, Phil's Deli, which is out near the Temple area. Phil is Jewish and he and his wife and grown children are the wait staff at the restaurant. All are friendly as can be and tease us all about our little quirks. It is wonderful that they remember the quirks week after week but we do go there consistently after church on Sunday. We asked the preacher if he could name the books of the Old and New Testaments in order. Don has a standing promise to give anyone who does that for him $50 for their favorite charity. The guy did it. No time to study or practice, just sat there and did it. Don promptly wrote a check to the guy's favorite charity and gave it to him to deliver. The little boys could quote long sections from the Bible and the least one said a long memorized prayer before we ate. I was so impressed by them all. And Nancy and Jim's daughter is lovely as can be and such a great and devoted mom.What a blessing and honor to be with these folks last Sunday. I hope we can repeat our visit to Warehouse 242 when this same guy is delivering the message on Sunday. Truly, the service and the breakfast after, were both such enjoyable experiences.
