A Joyful Noise

Tonight was the 31st year Eric has played music with the Christmas Eve service of the Journey Catholic Community. 
"An alternative to traditional Catholic parishes, Journey has been a place that welcomes all people, Straight Gay Married Divorced Single Childless Childfull Young Old Catholic Christian Questioning Searching; that invites all those who feel called to Preach Preside Sing Meet Discuss Decide Become; that serves those who are Hungry Sick Outcast Voiceless Marginalized Imprisoned Violated Oppressed Ignored Excluded. Ours has been a unique adventure. Appropriately, our advertisement in local papers used to say, simply, “Searching? So are we.”
The congregation is small, renting time and space from a downtown Episcopal Church; it doesn't get to celebrate at prime time, but that means we still have the evening ahead when it's over.
Eric used to teach with the long-time music director. Every year, we are welcomed with open arms, yet it is the only time we make an appearance. The group seems to get smaller, but it's such a nice group, each year I'm tempted to join just to add to the numbers. Belonging to a group of like-minded folk appeals to me, I miss having a community, but I guess I'm still searching.