Miss Stakeman - Really, Why Anyone Would Read This is Beyond Me

I grew up in a Lutheran church, sort of. My grandparents went every week and my mom took my sister and I sometimes. We weren't what is known as "real religious" per se, meaning that although we had faith in God, the act of going to church wasn't a high priority. It's funny, but although I hated being made to go to church, if left to my own devices, I do really enjoy it. Once we were old enough to decide if we wanted to go, mom rarely "made" us go to church. (I appreciate that, because most of the people I know who had to go, now hate the whole thing.) Anyway, I started going occasionally again when I could drive. The small little Lutheran church my grandmother attended after 40 years and the passing of my grandfather was still the same . I think there were about 30 people in attendance on a regular basis and I remember not one of them could sing. I felt right at home. I loved to go and be surrounded my memories of childhood like when my sister and I would inevidably break out in uncontrollable laughter or the creaking pews that announced every time anyone shifted in their seat. After the service I would head back with my grandmother for snacks, coffee and chit-chat with the other women. The men always sat at their own table. I never did find out what they talked about, but the women were hilarious. I was the youngest by probably 30 years and it was at church I realized people still maintained a sense of humor after 30. I remember one lady who laughed as she said she was 80 years old and her sisters still wouldn't tell anyone their ages. "Like it matters at this point, right?" she said, "I'm 80 years old, its not like I'm going to fool someone into thinking I'm in my twenties."

When I moved to a new town after living my first 25 years in the same place, the first thing I did was try to find a new church. I thought about trying out new denominations, but because I was in a new town, trying out churches on my own, I wanted something familiar in the mix. I found a very nice Lutheran church that had beautiful stained glas windows and a very talented choir, and although I loved hearing "This is the Feast" sung properly, it was nothing like the church I was used to. So I kept trying churches until I found one more like home. This church was small and simple, nothing fancy and not a lot of people, but it was perfect. The pastor was kind and the congregation was well, as friendly as Lutheran get, to be honest, which is just how I like it.

When I moved again, I began a new church hunt and that is where I am presently. I roam around Indianapolis visiting a different church each time. And although I've been to some very nice churches, none have "called" to me yet.

Update: Finally, I found a church I adore. Unfortunately, a couple months after deciding this particular church was exactly what I was in search of, I was hired into my new position which requires me to work weekends. I sure hope they start the evening service again.