New Year, New Church

In the Sufi tradition there is the idea of the maqam, a resting place in the desert, a place to relax and water the camels, a respite for a time.

The soul has maqams. The soul rests in places of beauty. The soul may have many maqams over the course of its journey, many different resting-places at different times of one’s life.

After 14 wonderful years in the Episcopal Church, I am feeling drawn to another maqam, another place of soul-refreshment.

There is no unhappiness that is driving me away from the Episcopal Church (not even the loud and angry conservatives in the larger Anglican Communion). I have always felt very welcome and accepted in the two Episcopal Churches I’ve belonged to over the past 14 years: St. Luke’s in Atlanta, then St. James in Marietta. I’m simply feeling drawn to a different type of church community at this time in my life.

My new maqam is Gentle Spirit Christian Church, pastored by Rev. Paul Turner (pictured below). Paul and I have been friends for many years; the two of us serve on the Board of Directors for Whosoever Ministries.

Gentle Spirit is an unusual “church without walls” that meets outdoors at a picnic pavilion in Candler Park in Atlanta. It’s a small church that is very involved in community activism, especially regarding gay rights and peace and justice issues.

There’s a sense of joy and excitement in Gentle Spirit’s Sunday morning services that I just haven’t felt in church in quite a while. I look forward to being an active part of this community of faith.

~ G.Bear