Thank you for sharing your Southern Lights experience. I now consider it a blessing that I was kicked out and banned from the Southern Baptist religion as a teenager for daring to ask questions. I journeyed through the Orthodox faith, learning about the original church. I joined the Episcopal faith and then had the priest meet me at the door, forbidding me to enter because my husband was divorcing me to marry the parish administrator. My therapist shoved me in the direction of another Episcopal church, not knowing her husband was the rector. I learned and continue to understand the difference between corporate worship and spiritual growth here. I continue to journey knowing the building is there when needed, but the journeys I have and continue to be on are wondrous.
Thank you for your account of your Southern Lights experience. And as an octogenarian thank you also for the tribute to us that are way “over the hill”
I have never felt as excluded as I did while attending a Louisiana all white Sunday Catholic mass with my former wife and I never felt as included as I did when I attended an all black gospel service in Baltimore, where I was the only caucasian at the invitation of coworker who was being ordained as a deacon by his church that night. Your body will let you know when you’re welcomed and when you are not.
"We shape our worlds even as they break our hearts. We belong to our worlds even after they do."
I love this post and the thoughts expressed. Thank you.
I write often about the alienation I feel from my country and my state (Ohio). There is little I can do individually to change that.
But I happen to live in Cincinnati in the southwest corner of the state. It's not the same as other parts of Ohio, and not just because we're closer to Kentucky and Indiana than the rest of Ohio. It's a place where civics matter and passionate advocates from our 52 neighborhoods work to make their communities better.
The best thing I ever read about my hometown came from Hilly on Twitter: "Cincinnati existed for years before Ohio. Cincinnati has almost nothing in common with Ohio. Ohio just happened to Cincinnati."
I live this truth, daily. And here, where I choose to live despite the constant heartbreak imposed by Columbus, I and others can and do make a difference through our advocacy. Knowing that reduces the helplessness I feel about the state of my state, my country and the world.
One of my favorite quotes is "Find something to care about and live a life that shows it." That's how I've chosen to spend my post-career life.
I appreciate so much your insights and info from Southern Lights. Much of what you shared resonates deeply within me during this “period of discernment” my husband and I entered during Epiphany. Both of us are old “Exvangelicals” who experience God daily in uniquely individual and wonderful ways. We were steeped in evangelicalism (since the 1940s😳) and we appreciate its gifts in our lives; however, upon widening our gaze during post-graduate work, discovering Richard Rohr and, in my case, learning from the deeply spiritual and amazingly gifted musician, Tom Trenney (Plymouth Church in Lincoln, Nebraska), our lives and paths over the past couple of decades have changed dramatically, and we are being transformed s l o w l y and lovingly and humbly by our gracious God.
You and Jemar and Diana and so many young and younger prophets and teachers, artists and writers, poets and bloggers ~ thanks to “modern technology😉” ~ are all guides for us older folks who are nurtured by all of you, who long to be wise elders, and leave a legacy of love and generosity and justice and kindness and humility and honesty to our children and grandchildren.
“May all who come behind us find us faithful…” (and may all the old evangelicals sing along ☺️)
Thank you, my friend. Prayers and love coming your way 🙏🩷
Wonderful, truthful and you reached me with many of your stories. Thank you for this and the reaching out with words well stated that surely ring with truth and deep meaning to so many. Humanity is flawed but so many are seeking the right way prayerfully and you are shining a light for many.
Bravo Holly! I'll be digging right along side you. So glad you got to Southern Lights. Great company in a beautiful place. Thank you for this beautiful body of work. I have been to Goree in Africa, I cannot describe my feelings being there and talking with our local guides. Enough said.
I've lived in (literally) 24 different places in a little more (relatively) than twice that many years...not for reasons of any deep conflict, just doing was I was told.
But "born to leave and called to stay" resonated so very deeply. I'm tired of leaving, and I'm committed to staying where I am. And your words give me hope.
Holly this was just exceptional. I got a little weepy. And I so relate to certain parts of this 😭❤️
Beautifully done, friend.
Thank you for sharing your Southern Lights experience. I now consider it a blessing that I was kicked out and banned from the Southern Baptist religion as a teenager for daring to ask questions. I journeyed through the Orthodox faith, learning about the original church. I joined the Episcopal faith and then had the priest meet me at the door, forbidding me to enter because my husband was divorcing me to marry the parish administrator. My therapist shoved me in the direction of another Episcopal church, not knowing her husband was the rector. I learned and continue to understand the difference between corporate worship and spiritual growth here. I continue to journey knowing the building is there when needed, but the journeys I have and continue to be on are wondrous.
Thank you for your account of your Southern Lights experience. And as an octogenarian thank you also for the tribute to us that are way “over the hill”
Thank you for continuing to grow. You make the world better.
This was a truly beautiful piece of writing. Thank you
I have never felt as excluded as I did while attending a Louisiana all white Sunday Catholic mass with my former wife and I never felt as included as I did when I attended an all black gospel service in Baltimore, where I was the only caucasian at the invitation of coworker who was being ordained as a deacon by his church that night. Your body will let you know when you’re welcomed and when you are not.
"We shape our worlds even as they break our hearts. We belong to our worlds even after they do."
I love this post and the thoughts expressed. Thank you.
I write often about the alienation I feel from my country and my state (Ohio). There is little I can do individually to change that.
But I happen to live in Cincinnati in the southwest corner of the state. It's not the same as other parts of Ohio, and not just because we're closer to Kentucky and Indiana than the rest of Ohio. It's a place where civics matter and passionate advocates from our 52 neighborhoods work to make their communities better.
The best thing I ever read about my hometown came from Hilly on Twitter: "Cincinnati existed for years before Ohio. Cincinnati has almost nothing in common with Ohio. Ohio just happened to Cincinnati."
I live this truth, daily. And here, where I choose to live despite the constant heartbreak imposed by Columbus, I and others can and do make a difference through our advocacy. Knowing that reduces the helplessness I feel about the state of my state, my country and the world.
One of my favorite quotes is "Find something to care about and live a life that shows it." That's how I've chosen to spend my post-career life.
That was beautiful
Also...I am surprised that you did not mention Gullah Geechee culture and St. Simon's. Brunswick GA is more than a vacation destination
If you are connected down there I'd love to introduce you to some people.
Thank you, Holly/Molly💕
I appreciate so much your insights and info from Southern Lights. Much of what you shared resonates deeply within me during this “period of discernment” my husband and I entered during Epiphany. Both of us are old “Exvangelicals” who experience God daily in uniquely individual and wonderful ways. We were steeped in evangelicalism (since the 1940s😳) and we appreciate its gifts in our lives; however, upon widening our gaze during post-graduate work, discovering Richard Rohr and, in my case, learning from the deeply spiritual and amazingly gifted musician, Tom Trenney (Plymouth Church in Lincoln, Nebraska), our lives and paths over the past couple of decades have changed dramatically, and we are being transformed s l o w l y and lovingly and humbly by our gracious God.
You and Jemar and Diana and so many young and younger prophets and teachers, artists and writers, poets and bloggers ~ thanks to “modern technology😉” ~ are all guides for us older folks who are nurtured by all of you, who long to be wise elders, and leave a legacy of love and generosity and justice and kindness and humility and honesty to our children and grandchildren.
“May all who come behind us find us faithful…” (and may all the old evangelicals sing along ☺️)
Thank you, my friend. Prayers and love coming your way 🙏🩷
Holly, I’m grateful for your insight—always eloquent, and scathing where it is needed. Thank you.
Wonderful, truthful and you reached me with many of your stories. Thank you for this and the reaching out with words well stated that surely ring with truth and deep meaning to so many. Humanity is flawed but so many are seeking the right way prayerfully and you are shining a light for many.
Bravo Holly! I'll be digging right along side you. So glad you got to Southern Lights. Great company in a beautiful place. Thank you for this beautiful body of work. I have been to Goree in Africa, I cannot describe my feelings being there and talking with our local guides. Enough said.
It is really tough to see liberal churches are aging out. Thank you for sharing such a personal account of your thoughts.
Thank you, Holly!
I've lived in (literally) 24 different places in a little more (relatively) than twice that many years...not for reasons of any deep conflict, just doing was I was told.
But "born to leave and called to stay" resonated so very deeply. I'm tired of leaving, and I'm committed to staying where I am. And your words give me hope.
It may have been just a side note, but I feel you on the shout-out to people willing to keep changing as they age. My heroes, too!