new friends from church

[supercheesegirl]

News flash: if you ever move to a new place and want to meet people, church is the way to go, yo. First of all, I love my church. It's a pretty church, it's really convenient to my home, and I like the services. There's good music and good readings and interesting sermons. Everyone I've met at church has been really nice and friendly. I was having some problems meeting people, though, until I decided to get more involved than just attending services. I took a little class on the poetry of Rumi, and I decided to join a small discussion group--the equivalent of, say, a bible study group at another kind of church. Now I know people from both events. I have friends to sit with at services now, and people to chat with after service. My new friends have introduced me to other young adult people at church, too. A bunch of us went out for brunch after service today. It was so nice! And Matt from my small group invited me to a BBQ at his house next weekend. I can't go, and I think he knew that, but that just makes the invite even nicer. I was talking to Trevor today about going to the Ren Faire this fall--he and his wife haven't been in Philly a whole year yet, so that would be a fun thing to show them. And I think I will invite Michelle over to watch a movie. I have new friends!

The downside of making UU friends: everyone is really, REALLY nice. They're such GOOD people. They talk about social justice. I don't think any of my regular friends have ever uttered the phrase in my presence. My new friends are social workers and special ed teachers and urban planners and music teachers in inner city schools. They love that I want to be a yoga instructor. The high level of niceness is a little disturbing. I try to be a good person and all, but I am nowhere near as nice as they are. However, perhaps their niceness might rub off on me a little bit.

The upside of making UU friends: the hugging! People hug me when they see me! And they hug me goodbye! Typically, I am hugged only by my parents and occasionally by Lauren and Rose when I see them. I love my work friends, but we don't see each other in a hugging environment. It's nice to have people to hug!

Comments

[tisana.livejournal.com]

Heh.
I've thought about checking out the local UU church every time I move to a new place, and except for once years ago, I haven't. I think I might in the fall (when the two closest ones start regular services instead of congregation-run services).

Your church sounds really cool. Rumi classes? Awesome.

[supercheesegirl.livejournal.com]

My church is really cool. The Rumi class was fun. They do all kinds of adult religious ed classes. There was one about goddess traditions this year that I didn't take, and one on the Bhagavad Gita a few years ago that apparently included a trip to the local Hari Krishna temple.

[queende.livejournal.com]

i posted this weekend about having to check out the UUs in my town. thanks for being a sign from the universe, dude. the uus in my town have a chocolate committee...how cool is that?!

i'm excited for your social-justice loving church friends:)

[supercheesegirl.livejournal.com]

Oh holy cow, you are such a UU waiting to happen. OMG.

I had a dream about you this morning. You had adopted two little black children. The older one (maybe 4?) was disabled, and he wore thick glasses and braces on his legs and walked with crutches. His baby brother looked normal. You were happy, but your husband didn't seem all that thrilled.

[queende.livejournal.com]

how odd! i hope when i do adopt kids i have a husband who is thrilled:)

[indigoruadh.livejournal.com]

Just wanted to contribute a UU fist pump! Glad to hear you are loving your church and your new friends. Don't be intimidated by the "goodness" factor. People tend to be on their best behavior at church. I know I am! ;)

[amazonsun.livejournal.com]

Hee! That was a cute post. :) I'm so happy that you are finding new friends in an environment that you like.

[lilacgrrl.livejournal.com]

i need to find me a church!!!

another site that i haven't actually attended anything for, but sounds good is meetup.com. It has organizations and groups in your town. Like the Tally one has a walking and hiking group, a book club, a sushi meetup, etc.