IUMC

Well, here it is. My first Sunday away from church. I have not been looking forward to this. As it turns out, I wouldnt have been at church anyway today, as I am still down with Strep :( but this Palm Sunday, I miss my church and my people.
Never once in my time at IUMC have I ever felt judged, have I never heard anyone say anything ugly about anyone who is present or not present. I have never felt scared. I have never felt pressured, never felt like I wasnt good enough, holy enough or that I needed to be perfect to be loved or fit in. Theyre just good people. They love me if I am poor, rich, straight, gay, married, single, divorced, tatooed, Republican and they even love some left wing Democrats (gasp!). You can even ride a Harley, in fact, my pastor I am sure would love some new riding buddies so it is probably preferred. I feel free to be me at all times, but somehow their Christ-like love makes me want to be a better version of myself and that is a gift. John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist faith, is actually the man who coined the term "let's agree to disagree." There was never a more "methodisty" term in all the world! You dont have to agree with us and that's ok!
Now Im not saying there arent many other lovely churches in town that I know offer the exact same Love. I know this because I am often the recipient. Some of my favorite people in all the world are at First Baptist, Calvary and The Porch and Eden. I would feel honored to worship with any of the fine folks there.
11 more Sundays and then I'll be back and Ill be making making music again. I am affectionally known as the "eye candy of the band" a knick name I started and I alone use to describe me. This is how nice these people are: several, several of them are aware of how terribly I play guitar and sing and none of them say a thing about it, yet they know. I have literally had 3 voices teachers quit in the past year. 3!!! One of the voice teachers heard me sing and then unsolicidly offered me voice lessons. But yeah he quit, too. Proof of how nice these people are! I miss my Sunday School class, I miss worshipping with them, I miss making a joyful noise with the coolest bandmates ever, I miss my friends, I miss doing life with them.  I am concerned how the band will go on without me :) Somehow, Im sure they'll manage.
Someone please record every single thing that happens the next 11 Sundays so I don't miss anything. Deal?
P.S. all of these people are better singers than I am. Nancy not pictured.  How did I miss her?