Well, as mentioned before, I've been a bit of a church tourist these last couple of years since leaving the Episcopal Church.

I left the Episcopal Church because my husband felt they were thwarting Biblical tenets of belief (primarily their ordaining a gay bishop in New Hampshire). Though, I myself had no problem with their ordination of a gay bishop, I have since developed my own problems with the actions of the Episcopal Church. The main reason I so liked them was their acceptance of differing beliefs. My impression of them during our years attending their churches locally was that they said, "This is what we believe. But we don't require you to agree with us. So long as you strive to walk with Christ, you are welcome." Since my own spiritual beliefs don't fit any major religion's norm, it was refreshing to find a church where I was allowed to be myself, even though I didn't conform to all of that church's dogma. Again, I didn't leave because of the gay thing. I didn't understand people leaving because of it either. When the church had begun ordaining women, who diocese were allowed to disagree and not allow female clergy in their own districts. So, I thought the same would hold true with the gay issue -- that those who disagreed would not be required to follow the mother church's ruling. But priests have been fired, parishioners have been ostracized, and whole congregations have found themselves in legal battles because they disagree with ordination of homosexuals. Yes, I think they're wrong, but I think they have a right to their opinion and a right to worship as they feel called. I cannot abide by the mother church trying to ram this down their throats and defiling their precedent of accepting differences. So, I didn't start out wanting to leave, but I'm glad I left.

Lately, we've been going to an Anglican Church (Anglican Province of America) that started up near our house. They hold to the 1929 Episcopal Prayer Book rather than the 1979 one currently in use in the Episcopal Church. Unfortunately, the 1929 Prayer Book is very dower. There's a line in the movie Dogma where one of the characters admonishes another saying something like, "You Catholics don't celebrate your faith, you mourn it." I find that statement to be all too true of the 1929 Prayer Book. I miss the 1979 P.B.'s celebratory tone. I miss feeling uplifted by mass rather than depressed by it. Otherwise, I like the church. The people are very nice. I get really good vibes from the priest ... I believe him to be honest and earnest in his beliefs. Because it's a start-up church and a small congregation, there is greater opportunity for input. It's also terribly convenient to home. But, I'm still restless. I'm still looking for the "right" church for me/us, if one exists.

To that end, I've scoured the local events calendars for other churches, meetings, and classes that I might like to try out. Some are just because I'm curious and have no real expectation of going there more than once.

So, here's my spiritual to-do list (copied from the mountainxpress.com website 03/27/08):

Beth Israel Synagogue
Located at 229 Murdock Ave. An egalitarian house of prayer, study and assembly in the Conservative Jewish tradition where all are welcome. Join us for Shabbat services, Minyans, high holidays and festival services and celebrations. Info: 252-8431 or www.bethisraelnc.org.
• THURSDAYS, 7:30am - Minyan (9:30am on public holidays). • 2nd & 4th FRIDAYS, 6pm - Services. • SATURDAYS, 9:30am - Services. • SUNDAYS, 5pm - Introduction to Judaism with Rabbi Robert Cabelli. For Jews and non-Jews alike. Call for details. • SUNDAYS, 9am - Minyan. • 1st FRIDAYS, 6pm - Family potluck and services.

Center for Creative Living
A Science of Mind, Religious Science, New Thought Center. Be recognized as the powerful, creative, spiritual being that you are. 2 Science of Mind Way. Info, events & directions: 253-2325 or www.cfcl.org.
• SUNDAYS, 9:30am & 11am - Two Celebrations. The second celebration is followed by a covered-dish luncheon the 1st Sunday of every month. • FR (4/4) & SU (4/6), 7pm - James Twyman’s new film, The Moses Code, featuring spiritual teachers and authors sharing their wisdom and insights about the true meaning of abundance, will be screened. Free.

City View Quakers
An emerging Quaker worship gathering
Evening Worship
We are attempting a genuine approach to worship that leaves no doubt that we are in the presence of God. It is not about clever preaching, great worship bands, or high drama. It is about people experiencing the presence of Jesus in our midst. The weekly worship service is celebratory and participatory and includes hymns, bible study, and silent prayer.
Saturday evening at 6:00; Tuesday evening at 7:00
City View meets in the home of Jimmy and Margaret Vestal at 39 Ottari Road. Though a small gathering for worship, all are welcome. Please check the time and place each week, as they are subject to change.
Personal Aside: You've really got to check out the 2nd article on their Worship Page ... it was so beautiful, it made me cry.

Coalition of Earth Religions Events
Info: 230-5069 or www.ceres-wnc.org. Volunteers needed to help with Earth Religions Awareness Month: Pagan October.
• 1st WEDNESDAYS, 6:30-9pm - Pagans Night Out. Meet at the Bier Garden in downtown Asheville.

Eckankar Center of WNC
The teachings of Eckankar emphasize the value of personal experience as the most natural way back to God, whatever your religious background. 797 Haywood St., lower level. Info: 254-6775 or www.eckankar-nc.org.
• SUNDAYS, 11am - Worship Services & interactive discussions, public always welcome.

El Circulo
Playful, deadly, spontaneous healing. A new, evolving martial art and conscious movement formally known as Pa Kua. Info: 280-7287.
• WEDNESDAYS, 5:30pm - Free classes at Montford Park.

Events at Mystic Journeys
333 Merrimon Ave. Info: 253-4272, www.mysticjourneysonline.com.
• MONDAYS, 7-9pm - Abraham Study Group. Info: 253-7472.

First Congregational Church
Located at 20 Oak St. in downtown Asheville. "An open and affirming congregation." Info: 252-8729 or www.uccasheville.org.
• SUNDAYS, 10:30am - Worship service with Rev. Joe Hoffman. Childcare provided.

A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle Study Group
The ongoing study group will explore this book by Tolle, which expounds on how transcending our ego-based state of consciousness is not only essential to personal happiness, but also key to ending conflict and suffering throughout the world. Tolle describes how to "awaken to one's life purpose." Love offering. Info: 681-5415.
• THURSDAYS, 10-11:30am - Study group meets.

Messianic Studies and Hebrew Classes
Studies for Christians and/or Jews. Hebraic roots with biblical and basic Hebrew language, Israeli dance. Free. Join the group for updates, contacts, calendars of feast days and other info: 582-4430 or trooper753@yahoo.com. To subscribe: search under ashevillemessianics on yahoogroups.com.
• FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS - Messianic studies and Hebrew classes.

Oasis Center for Conscious Living
An intentional community in Asheville devoted to supporting individuals on the path of spiritual awakening, the evolution of our collective consciousness and the transformation of our planet. Located at 185 Pearson Dr. Info: 255-4634.
• WEDNESDAYS, 7pm - Eckhart Tolle DVD. • MONDAYS through FRIDAYS - 9am - Eckhart Tolle CD. • MONDAYS, 1pm - ACIM workbook group --- 7pm - Essential ACIM class.

Ray of Hope Nondenominational Church
Located at 441 N. Louisiana Ave., Suites K & L. Info: 252-PRAY.
• WEDNESDAYS, 7pm - Training for Christian Service. • SUNDAYS, 10am - Training for Christian Service --- 11am - Worship with Pastor Inez D. Ray.

Sufi Healing Circle
Traditional Sufi chanting circle to heal ourselves, the community and the world. Taste the love deep in your heart. Info: 258-5300.
• SUNDAYS, 6-7pm - The Sufi healing circle gathers. Call for location info.

The Underground Church
Merging with God, culture and others. We were sick of church but still loved God, so we decided to start meeting together. If that resonates, come and join the group on Sundays. Info: www.ug-3.com or 318-6940.
• SUNDAYS, 10am - Meeting at the downtown YMCA.

Unity Cafe
Looking for a change from the usual Sunday service? Spiritual conversation and sharing, music, meditation, coffee and pastry. Info: 254-8488 or www.SacredNature.com/unitycafe.html.
• 1st, 3rd & 5th SUNDAYS, 10-Noon - Weekly service at Greenlife Grocery Community Center, 90 Merrimon Ave.

Unity Church of Asheville
Looking for something different? Unity of Asheville explores the deeper spiritual meaning of the scriptures combined with an upbeat contemporary music program to create a joyous and sincere worship service. Come join us this Sunday and try it for yourself. Located at 130 Shelburne Rd., W. Asheville. Info: 252-5010 or www.unityofasheville.org.
Available for meetings, workshops, etc. Call 926-3688. • SUNDAYS, 11am - Spiritual Celebration Service --- 12:15pm - A Course In Miracles ongoing classes with Rev. Gene Conner and Laurel Elstrom. • TUESDAYS, 2-4pm - Edgar Cayce Search for God Study Group. Info: 650-6479.

Asheville Chaos Magick Clique
An informal group that discusses and practices modern magick/sorcery. Our concepts of Chaos Magick are based on the writings of Austin Osman Spare, Peter Carroll, Phil Hine, Robert Anton Wilson and others. For meeting times and location: 777-9368 or Dbraxton9@yahoo.com

Soteria Ministries
"Soteria" is a Greek word that means "health, deliverance and salvation." Soteria Ministries is a Christian Empowerment Center that offers prophetic ministry & classes, weekly contemporary power worship and healing through balanced healthful living. Info: 350-7744 or www.soteriaministries.org.

The Sons of the Law of One Podcast
Unveiling creation. Monthly audio podcast of material on the nature of the universe. A multitude of sources are telling us the same wonderful information. This planet is the focus of the Universe for this transition. All things concerning The Law of One. Love and Light. Info: www.thesonsofthelawofone.com.

I love it! One of the people I enjoy reading, anahata56 (and thus added to my friends page), had a quote in their journal icon: "I want to rip off your logic and make passionate sense to you." What a fabulous sentiment!! Thanks for the smile!!!!