While in Chester we stopped at St Oswald's Anglican
Church in hopes of getting some of Brent's genealogy-related questions
answered. Seeing a few cars in the small parking lot, we hoped to find someone
there who might have some insider information. Just as we walked through the
doors an alter boy was leading a processional down the aisle. He was followed
by two other clergy. One of them paused briefly and motioned for us to join
them. We were led to a small section of the church where a group of twenty or
so older adults were assembled for a mid-week service.
The 30-minute worship included lots of recitation,
ritual, and talk of Jesus. It was vastly different from a typical Mormon church
service. At one point in the procedings the priest suggested everyone in
attendance approach everyone else with a handshake and the spoken sentiment
“peace be with you.” Even the clergy joined in as everyone happily responded as
suggested. There was practically a line of people waiting to greet us.
Our very active schedule as well as the stress of
driving (on the left side of the road from the right side of the car) and
navigating in very unfamiliar territory left me with a level of stress I didn’t
even know I had...until, however, I was met by so many lovely people who
welcomed me into their fold, unconditionally and without prior invitation, and
who all so generously and graciously offered me their hands, their smiles, and
their kind expressions of peace. Peace and love entered my heart as I felt the
stress of the day melt away. I had a profound physical, emotional, and
spiritual response.
There is much we can learn from other faith
traditions if we allow ourselves to open our minds and hearts to their ways of
worship. We all love God. We can easily see that there’s more that unites us
than divides us if we’re willing to cross the lines.
There is even evidence that sometimes our own
Mormon leaders recognize light and knowledge outside our own faith tradition.
That, I find, to be refreshing indeed.
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