Rev. Beverly Morrison Boke
First Universalist Society
Hartland Four Corners, Vermont

September 2004

Recently, in the course of a casual conversation, I was asked if many people go to church any more. This question surprised me because I know a lot of people who go to church. As you'd expect I warmed to the topic, and I may have convinced my friend to try church himself some time soon.

Why do people go to church? It's an old question with as many answers as there are churchgoers. But there are a few common reasons that I believe underlie the choice to go to church.

Church brings us into community with other people in a quiet, intentional way. The hour of worship may be the only quiet, alert hour we have in our days; it is almost certain to be the only hour in which no one asks much of anything of us but to allow our minds to deepen into contemplation of life's great mysteries.

Sometimes going to church provides an idea or a thought we can ponder all week. A line from a hymn, a comment from a neighbor lighting a candle of concern or celebration, even something in the sermon may touch us, and move us a little along our own path.

Whenever I am in the pews rather than in the pulpit, I discover that being in church provides affirmation of the self. Theists remember the image of a Loving Creator, which accepts them as they are; humanists can reflect on developing their highest selves to serve the common good. Mystics reestablish contact with their inherent transcendent being, pagans with their earth-centered rootedness.

Being with the congregation after a worship service, we might find ourselves open to others in a more honest and warm way than might have been the case before the service. We bring more depth to relationships after an hour of reflection, song, and sharing.

My friend – the one who asked if people still go to church – is probably not alone. You probably know someone who just forgets that church is an option on Sundays. Ask your friend to join us next week. You might be very surprised when your friend says, "Sure!" People want to be asked. They want to come with a friend at first, so that they can learn the ropes, so that they don't feel foolish, so that there is someone to lean on."We all need somebody to lean on," goes the song. That's really at the heart of churchgoing. Leaning on one another, leaning on the Creator, or on our faith in the perfectibility of humankind, or on our belonging in Nature, or on our ability to transcend the mundane – we are supported, renewed, "religioned" – bound once again to a deep, broad base of support – each other.

Blessings, Buffy