TLDR: Church is cool. I’m really surprised.

I was raised experiencing “church” as an old white guy judging me weekly, telling me about an even older white guy in the sky judging me moment-by-moment.

As I became a spiritual seeker and eclecticist, I experienced and expressed spirituality through movement, meditation, food, book study, song, tarot, community engagement, nature, ritual.

I’ve practiced “in community” here and there— gathered for solstices and equinoxes, a new or full moon celebration, Cville’s glorious dance co-op. But I’ve primarily been a “solitary practitioner,” cobbling together wisdom and keeping myself on the path as best I can.

In my 30s “spiritual community” came in the expensive, client-practitioner format, which doesn’t *quite* feel like “community” to me. Registering for workshops and retreats, paying a “certified” teacher, guide, facilitator, quickly filling my well with energy, wisdom, and love… And just as quickly draining that well in real life beyond the retreat.

Sometimes I’d bring those experiences back to “my community” by inviting over some fabulous women to get sacred with me when I felt the energy to facilitate. (I freaking love you ladies). But I didn’t feel sustained and held in a “spiritual community.”

Weirdly, for me, I’m coming to experience “church” as a community of spiritual eclecticists who experience and express spirituality through movement, meditation, food, book study, song, tarot, community engagement, nature, ritual. How did I not know about Unity Charlottesville? Would I have even given it a chance if I had?

I feel so nourished by this community of (mostly) elders, who feed me, share books, host weekly and monthly (free!) gatherings on all manner of topics and formats, volunteer throughout the community, tend to plants and animals, chant, and oftentimes get real dang mystical.

So, like, I just get to show up and receive? And this is all sustained by the financial support of the people who are participating? There is no overlord outside organization pulling the strings? We just show up and support what we want and the energy goes that way?

I have been looking for a community-driven, eclectic and open spiritual community. And, it has been CHURCH this whole time?

What the wha..?

Church is cool?