We live in a small community in SE Kansas near the OK border. Population is about 13,000 in town here. My wife and I have a small house that we share with pets.
Alone is an interesting word for me. I use a wheelchair and don't drive, so I do rely on MaryBeth to get around. I spend a great deal of time at home.
Our Church, which is the same denomination as the online community, is about a 2 hour ride from here. A full tank of gas for the day. My pastor there is wonderful, also. She's part time, but in the fall we'll be getting a full time pastor. They don't have services during the summer... most folks there are farmers.
We're on a fixed income and with gas prices where they are, we don't make it up on Sundays that often.
I've steered clear of the RF for about a year because the toxic nature was very destructive for me spiritually. Any time I shared anything about my faith or beliefs, it would immediately be used against me. The old 'get as much 'dirt' on your opponent, dodge and divert the issue and put 'em on the defensive. Gets real old.
You can see from my home page that I wear my beliefs on my sleeve.... it's always been that way.
I'd iike to help cultivate the ecumenical thread concept. For me personally, I believe strongly that my religion and Catholicism share a great deal with differences limited to ideas and concepts. Catholicism has a long and rich mystic tradition that I can learn from. At the same time, I pray that I can give something back.
Yes. I think the Moderator has done a very good job lately defusing that. We now have two formats in addition to the classic open thread format: "Caucus" threads allow for internal to a confession debate or devotional threads, and they are free from criticisms and attack; "Ecumenical" threads like this one allow for constructive debate between confessions. You may want to give us another try.