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Serving:
Part of the Vineyard Network in Canada
Pastor Tom Zawacki
(902) 892-5001
communitychurch@pei.aibn.com
www.charlottetowncommunitychurch.com
Charlottetown
Community Church
P.O. Box 1081
Charlottetown, PE
C1A 7M4
LETTER FROM AN AGNOSTIC By James Archer
Join us at the Farm Centre, 420 University Ave. Charlottetown, PE Sunday mornings 10:00 am - 12:00 PM
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Dealing with some sadness tonight regarding
people and how they choose to treat me and
mine in specifc, but others in general. Would
like to share a thought about beliefs, religion
and dealing with people. If youd rather not
know my feelings about these things, please
skip this post.
I grew up in a religious household, and have
chosen to disassociate myself from religion as
an adult. I am an agnostic, probably- I rarely
feel the need to classify myself. From the Greek
Gnosis, a basic noun referring to knowledge;
the a- prefx makes it a negative: so lack of
knowledge is the intended meaning- I admit
that I dont know. I dont admit to or confess
anything else, just to be perfectly clear.
The problem I fnd is that some people take
it upon themselves to act inappropriately
towards me and those I love because they
have a religious feeling that is diferent from my
own. And again, to be clear- I am very tolerant
of others religious beliefs- I have no desire to
insult anyones honest fndings for themselves,
and indeed can admire folks who have found
themselves an answer honestly that they can
truly believe. This post is not about religion-
this post is about people.
When someone says to me and mine any of
the following: You are going to hell; You are
damned; You must do what I do; You must think
what I think; (this one was new to me tonight)
When I get to heaven, I wont even have known
that you existed, because all of my sorrows will
be removed and you will be in hell; or any other
such statement...
...the only thing I feel is hurt. I do not feel inspired
to believe anything. I do not feel motivated to
avoid eternal damnation; I do not feel that the
speaker has provided me a service, or shared
their beautiful faith- I feel hurt that someone
would take it upon themselves to insult my
intelligence; to insult my sensibilities; to
attempt to instill in me an eternal fear regarding
my children; to bear their teeth necessarily and
act in a way that insists upon a better than
thou attitude; more blessed than thou; more
deserving than thou; more insightful than thou;
and - oddly - more lucky than thou.
If a person actually cared about me and mine,
they would insist on loving us past the point
that we could deny their altruism; past the point
that we could doubt that they had some type of
insight into this painful, stupid, silly and difcult
human condition- to the point that we asked
them to be let in on their secret-- that we asked
to be instructed, if such a time ever came; and
if that time never came, they would treat us that
way anyway--
- because their point would be loving us, and
treating in a way they thought was right; not
proving to us that we are wrong and they are
right, which is the only point when someone
informs us that we are damned.
continued on page 2
The Jesus that I learned of as a child ate with the sinners; all
you know how to do is throw stones.
And so-- if it is your prerogative to ever- ever, ever, ever- I mean
one single time, ever-- tell me and my loved ones that we are
headed to hell and should change to become more like you, do
us both the favor and never-- and I mean never-- speak to any
of us again. I have shielded my own feeling and thoughts many
times in my life, in order to keep from upsetting people in this
very important and very sensitive area, but I am ofcially done
with that now. Now, when you behave ofensively, I will speak
my mind.
A last thought- When I think of my father, I think of a great
example of someone with strong religious beliefs who behaves
correctly to the people he encounters-- my father would love
A BETTER THEOLOGY
continued from page 1
to tell you his thoughts, but he is willing to love you even if
you disagree with him, and he will feed you without feeling like
you owe it to him to convert. A brilliant example of a person
who professes love, and then attempts to live it. If all religious
people did more of that, and less of the other, I imagine thered
be a few more folks at your church---and more importantly
than that, youd be treating people in a respectable manner-- a
manner that they deserve from you, no matter your opinion of
their religious associations or lack thereof.
(a quick note to my atheist and agnostic or other friends--
please do not use this post as an open forum to bash the
religious-- I have no desire to be involved in that; this is a
thought about people, not about God)
NOTICES
OFFERING NOTICE
If donating cash please use envelopes
This allows us the ability to provide you with an
accurate giving record at years end.
ONLINE DONATIONS
Go to www.charlottetown communitychurch.com
At the top of the page click the word Donate
(next to Newsletter)
Secure donations via PayPal
Can donate with or without a PayPal account
MINISTRY TIME
We are fnding it difcult to have ministry time at
the end of the service because of tear-down and
clean up.
We are going to experiment with doing it
between the last two songs of worship.
We will follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.
If we have prayer teams, it will be in the back of
the room.
CCC GROUPS
There is lots going on, be free,
go where the life is, family frst.
THE FURIOUS LONGING OF GOD
BOOK CLUB Beginning this Wednesday, May 28
Wednesdays 7:00 PM at Zawackis
iBooks $12.99
Kindle $10:49 (US)
Google Play Book $11.56
NIGHT OF WORSHIP AND PRAYER June 6
First Friday of the Month 7:00 PM at Zawackis
CHURCH FINANCES
Four Week Average: $1,296.05 Four Week Average Needed: $2,000.00
Lets keep praying for God to supply all we need!
Church website is updated with all activities. If you would like to get something in the newsletter (prayer request,
announcement, etc.), please email it to communitychurch@pei.aibn.com by Wednesday of each week.
CHURCH NEWS
YARD SALE
BUY AND SELL TREASURES TO END FAMILY VIOLENCE
SATURDAY, JUNE 7, 2014 - 8:00 AM til 12:00 PM
CULINARY INSTITUTE PARKING LOT-SYDNEY STREET
To DONATE items or RESERVE a table ($20 donation)
contact Patsy at 218-9669
All proceeds donated to Anderson House
(Dog & Kids clothing, household items, books, toys, ladies
boots/shoes, and much more)
The elders are:
Wayne & Natalie
Simmons, Errol &
Shelagh Campbell,
Garfeld & Brenda
MacDonald and
Tom & Nadine
Zawacki.
Please feel free to
contact us anytime
with your thoughts,
questions or ideas.
Positions we are
often looking to
have help with are:
MEDIA
(SOUND & VIDEO),
WORSHIP TEAMS,
CLEAN-UP TEAMS,
CHILDRENS
MINISTRY
We are looking for
people willing to
take up the ofering
and make weekly
announcements.
Please contact
Tom if interested
to be added to a
schedule.
We do communion
on the frst Sunday
of each month.
We are looking for
volunteers to ofer
a meditation and
lead us through
that part of the
service. Please see
Tom if interested
to be added to a
schedule.
Joining the
Charlottetown
Community Church
Facebook group is
the fastest way to
get up to the minute
news, prayer
requests and get in
on discussions.
Check it out today!
OUR ELDERS TEAM VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
OFFERINGS &
ANNOUNCEMENTS
COMMUNION FACEBOOK
GET INVOLVED AT CHARLOTTETOWN COMMUNITY CHURCH
IN THE AREA
REVIVAL IN BELFAST Robin Mark & Paul Reid
Thursday, May 22 through Sunday, May 25
St. Johns Presbyterian, Belfast, PE
SHANE CLAIBORNE Upside Down Kingdom Tour
Friday June 13th
Summerside Community Church
150 Industrial Crescent
2:00-4:30 PM Church Leaders Forum $30 per
7:00 PM Worship with Kenny Driscoll, Shane will
be speaking
ISLAND PRAYER GATHERING
7:00 PM, Tuesday, June 17th
Summerside Community Church
150 Industrial Crescent
CENTRE 150 GRAND OPENING
Saturday, June 21st
Summerside Community Church
150 Industrial Crescent
3:00 6:00 PM Open House to tour the new facility
6:00 PM Celebration Service
CONFERENCE WITH JOHN AND CAROL ARNOTT
FROM TORONTO AIRPORT CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
Thursday Saturday, July 17-19th
Summerside Community Church
150 Industrial Crescent, Summerside
HOME CAMP PEI 2014
August 3 9, 2014
Centre Goeland Camp, Cape Egmont, PEI
Grades 7 12
$200 Per Person
Registration at www.iwcpei.com or call 902.315.3464