Posted by BethandTraci in category
Beth and Traci go to Church on January 10, 2008
A quick debrief on the heels of a spiritual formation workshop (soulcare) and — a mere 13 hours later — BSF
Traci was greeted with a hug at her first women’s ministry event.
Beth’s stress zit is beginning to vanish.
Traci opted out of dinner before the workshop.
Beth joined Traci for post-workshop beer and debriefing chez Cumbay where Dr. Cumbay stunned her by saying, “Traci is the least spiritual person I’ve ever met.”
Traci earned bonus points in our “I’ve never said that” game when she said, “I need to go shower - I have Bible study this morning” before BSF.
Beth exhibited a tiny bit of Christ-like (righteous) road rage on the way to BSF.
Beth anticipated a hug from the syrup-smiled greeter who rushed her at the door but got spanked instead for trying to carry Starbucks into the sanctuary.
Traci remains awed by the reaction to Beth’s introducing her as an atheist.
Posted by Traci in category
Beth and Traci go to Church on January 8, 2008
I couldn’t bring myself to write “bible study” in my calendar after Beth gave me the date and time for our first meeting. (Tonight. 6 p.m.) What if somebody saw? What if they thought I was into that? Instead I wrote “Grace CC” — an abbreviation for the destination church. It’s innocuous enough to leave my idiom intact, and my id.
Beth is worried I’ll get skeert, and true enough, parts of the business ahead freak me out:
Traci: The mingling with churchies while they’re all churched up intimidates me.
Beth: Stay close to me — I’ll be your ally. I won’t join them when we’re together.
Traci: You say that now, but we’ll get there and you won’t be able to resist the churchalicious pull and next thing you know you’ll be all “Jedediah 6:19″ and “Psalms 22:3″ and I’ll be asking where the vodka is.
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Posted by Beth Bates in category
Beth and Traci go to Church on January 6, 2008
by Beth Bates
It’s 2008, Year of the Safari, at long last. Well, at least for my atheist friend Traci and me it is.
Traci: I’ve never heard the word “atheist” thrown around in connection with my name as much as I have in planning this project. So strange to be reduced to one descriptor. Others that apply are writer, wife, mother, runner, gardener, and totally rad dancer, as long as you don’t value rhythm.
True. Anyway, as I was saying… Starting this month, Traci and I will don our pith helmets to explore the savannah that is the Indianapolis women’s church ministry scene. Based on feedback from our initial post on Conversation at the Edge, we expect to encounter some wild beasts and diverse natural beauty, and maybe even witness a kill or two.
The idea is for me, a long-time believer and veteran of women’s ministries, to function sort of as a tour guide for Traci, who admits to being enchanted by the idea of faith but born without the proper parts for believing. (more…)
