Emerging Spirit @ The United Church of Canada Emerging Spirit @ The United Church of Canada

A few more weeks and the season of weddings will be over. Having been out of a congregation now for three years the process of sanitizing memories is well under way. Although I still remember those days when I was in a church with a long center aisle, a big, flat parking lot and an impressive "front" of the sanctuary - prime ingredients for wedding photo ops. We could easily do three weddings a Saturday. And they helped pay for family vacations and at least one child's dental work!

A conversation with friend and colleague Lesley brought back some other memories. Questions about whether there needed to be any of "those" (aka Bible) readings, prayer or explicit mention of God. (e.g. "My Dad is against religion") The turning point for me was when I had to interrupt the chatter of wedding party members to say there was to be no talking while Scripture was being read or prayers said. I grew weary of declaring that the sanctuary was not a rental set for home videos. Then, of course, weddings moved outside where all the "unreasonable" demands of churches could be circumvented and more wonder-full feelings nurtured.

Not their fault really. Little exposure and no training. If anything, baby boomer parents said grace at family meals, when they could be arranged.

I have been steeped in generational research now for almost three years and yet I confess still to moments of surprise. Picking up some audio gear I gave The United Church of Canada as the client name. The tech behind the counter said, "Oh yeah, cool! What do you guys do?"

Mark Green, of Victoria, tells of overhearing two girls in a drug store looking at crosses to wear as jewelery. Said one to the other, "And you can get some that have a little guy on them!"

Another friend tells of booking an appointment for her father, who is clergy. Says the receptionist, "Is Reverend his first or last name?"

Most paid accountable people have their own stories to add - and please do!

It is becoming increasingly difficult for those who want to live within the church bubble.

We are now on the way to somewhere else.

P.S. If it has been awhile since you checked out this video from Off the Map, click through for a quick video refresher on images of Christians and organized religion.