tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292701047716374948.post921718654829387374..comments2023-05-24T08:26:43.201+01:00Comments on Writings Of An Autistic Woman: 18 Months - The Best of My LifeClare Matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12711443219888099596noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292701047716374948.post-40105883131749314432014-12-12T21:54:36.530+00:002014-12-12T21:54:36.530+00:00I think you are referring to the church in Manches...I think you are referring to the church in Manchester. It is about 45 miles away from me. I visited them three times in succession a few years ago but decided it wasn't for me for a couple of reasons, one of which was the distance. I won't say more than that.<br><br>Shirley Anne xShirley Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11697497719791327675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292701047716374948.post-21489053598823592462014-12-12T19:54:52.656+00:002014-12-12T19:54:52.656+00:00One similar church might be http://metropolitanchu...One similar church might be http://metropolitanchurch.org.uk/ which used to be part of MCC. I've never been there but have heard some good things. Then again it's 45 miles from Southport. A little closer, and the other direction, I really like the people at http://www.libertychurchblackpool.org.uk/ which I've visited on a couple of visits to the Fylde since coming out to myself. The first time was twelve days after I came out to myself. Walking in there was scary. Then again walking into MCC a week before that was very scary too. <br><br>My demeanour must have been similar to others who have walked in since - lots of people feel that fear. But the welcome and freedom in both places was immense and just as for those other people fear turned to relaxation thanks to the people in the churches. Quite a few come in who have been deeply hurt in other churches for their sexuality or gender and their relief is almost written on their faces in ink when they find that they are welcome and won't be told that these things are evil or that they are evil for being LGB or T. (or QIA...) My own relief was massive. And to see it in others is always, always a joy.<br><br>The second visit to Liberty Church was this summer so I was grumpy about faith at the time. Still really touched by the service, the sermon and their major openness to the Spirit and the love they have for one another and for the Divine. Hopefully I can get back there next year. Great set of people who are doing good things. I look forward to meeting them again and worshiping with them. Pretty special.<br><br>Yep, Northern Lights MCC (http://www.northernlightsmcc.org.uk/) is great. A place of space, healing, family and hope. I know it's where I'm meant to be and I know there will be work for me there now that I'm not deliberately staying on the edge of things. I know, not that I can do some good, but that much good can be done if I willingly serve and offer the same kind of healing, embracing love & acceptance that I received. The next year will be very interesting in seeing how that starts to work out.<br><br>I'm sure we bicker sometimes like anyone else and I'm sure we're far from perfect but there is such safety there for people to do all of the three things sometimes seen at the bottom of our logo. "Be Yourself, Find Meaning, Know God". For some people it's the only time in the week when they can be who they are without fear and that's an amazing thing to offer someone. Obviously I've found meaning now - I found it before but in the most unhealthy way, a meaning that bolstered the idea that I shouldn't be myself. And we'd cancel the services if we didn't want to know God better!<br><br>Can you tell that I really love that church? I'm so glad that I never got round to leaving. Through the worst of the pain the people, the love kept me there. So did the vision of the church, the Mission Values. Even when I wasn't seeking any more than a non-theistic God in Being I could love those values. <br><br>I firmly believe that God has put me there for the process of my own healing and for the good of others, however that works out - probably mainly by me getting out of the way and being obedient to whatever God says. I'm not meant to try to work out the future or make the plans and I know full well how easily I can muck things up completely with my own ideas. So the directions will have to come from God, Spirit, Source in whatever way El chooses to give them. It'll be revealed in time but it's obvious God hasn't put me there just to warm a pew or boost the congregation by one! And I know there will be plenty of surprises.<br><br>But I'd better stop or I'll get rhapsodic about MCC for so long that this comment will end up longer than the original post. If that hasn't happened already.<br><br>Love & light. ClareClare Matthewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12711443219888099596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292701047716374948.post-43777935058106931952014-12-12T16:56:38.135+00:002014-12-12T16:56:38.135+00:00I see you didn't lose your faith Clare you fou...I see you didn't lose your faith Clare you found it for the first time. I have to say I was feeling sad after reading the post above for I thought you had come to believe and now you didn't. I am so happy that wasn't true. You obviously weren't ready the first time round. The question arises in my mind, 'Is it the name of the person who is being baptised or the person themselves'? God knows who we are. He only looks at the heart, not on the outward appearance or even the name. The MCC sounds like a wonderful fellowship of people. I wished there was one near to Southport! God bless<br><br>Shirley Anne xShirley Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11697497719791327675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292701047716374948.post-18444469984380041352014-12-12T09:05:25.826+00:002014-12-12T09:05:25.826+00:00Thanks to everyone for comments. There are still ...Thanks to everyone for comments. There are still many challenges - that's just a normal life - but facing them in freedom makes all the difference.<br><br>As for that faith, much to my shock and amazement this happened a few weeks ago: http://reborn-as-woman.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/renewing-my-baptismal-vows-as-clare.htmlClare Matthewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12711443219888099596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292701047716374948.post-71532988648272213552014-12-11T22:53:40.595+00:002014-12-11T22:53:40.595+00:00I love the honesty of your post Clare. So many thi...I love the honesty of your post Clare. So many things in life can be hard for us to deal with and it is only the strong who can deal with it all. You are one of the strong. You have overcome so many things as we can see. I hope you can look to the future and know it can only get better. It will.<br>'My cherished Christian faith died, very painfully, over the course of a year'.......I certainly hope you will regain that faith. The Lord is patient with us. He is still there, just reach out. <br><br>Love Shirley Anne xShirley Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11697497719791327675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292701047716374948.post-10640718720684477442014-12-05T10:39:10.083+00:002014-12-05T10:39:10.083+00:00What a lovely post, Clare. The world may continue...What a lovely post, Clare. The world may continue to throw its problems at you, but now you have the strength, the confidence and the faith to rise above them. <br><br>I'm not in the least surprised that verbal abuse is now rare. I only spent a few hours with you last month but what I saw - in looks, mannerisms and speech - was 100% woman. <br><br>May love and blessings be yours, and your wonderfully family's, as you begin a new year together.Angela Kayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08882779021382371603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292701047716374948.post-55702622846076923152014-12-04T10:21:24.332+00:002014-12-04T10:21:24.332+00:00Beautifully put Clare. Your Mother was extremely ...Beautifully put Clare. Your Mother was extremely proud of you. I for one was pleased to meet a beautiful lady with a lovely smile in August. Such a different person from the one I knew from photos who was always always looking so sad/depressed with an obvious demon on their shoulder.<br><br>You have been on a huge learning curve, but you have come through it. Now it is onwards and upwards, and I look forward to the opportunity to meet that happy Clare again, perhaps one day in the future when you are down this way.<br><br>In the meantime love and hugs to you and your family and wishing you a very Happy Christmas. May the New Year bring you more happiness and fulfill all your hopes and dreams.<br><br>Mags xxMagshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05812228969631851021noreply@blogger.com