Prayers for you all. Your requests make my own sound petty in comparison. I'm frustrated, angry, and I feel completely disconnected from my parish. The previous concerns/issues I've had have not improved.
I literally loathe our ethnic fair. Thank goodness I work that weekend anyway. The whole idea of fleecing the public for a massive church fundraiser makes my angry. They talk about being a good example to the community and sharing Orthodoxy, but it isn't, not really. They have no idea how much of a turn off it can be to non-Orthodox. People come only for the good food and then assume Orthodoxy isn't for them because they aren't one of the ethnicities on display. It's a catch twenty-two scenario. I've seen 'converts' talked about behind their backs for cultural appropriation, but in the next breath everyone is all 'come to Orthodoxy'. Back before I became Orthodox I was told by someone, 'Are you Greek? Are you Orthodox? Then why are you here?' Another flat out asked me my ethnicity once, like it mattered or something. There is a difference between how converts that are the right ethnicity are received and those of us that aren't. Now we have bunco going on again too. I would not be a bit surprised if the Leb Club was back in full swing too. Ethnicity drives religious affiliation. It apparently has nothing to do with theology or whatever.
I used to not care so much because I was there only for the services. Well, my motivation to attend has dissipated. I've been over my honeymoon with Orthodoxy for the last couple of years. I used to be very involved- but it is obvious that when I needed them the most- nobody from my parish was there for me and my husband. I'm kind of over it.
Yes, I very much need your prayers.
