lOSING HeR RelIGION

AN IMPERFECT C HURCH BEATS A ‘ CHURCH OF ONE ’

Anne Rice is quitting Christianity.

In a recent Facebook post, the renowned writer of vampire novels, who turned back to the Church a few years ago and penned two volumes of historical fiction about the early life of Christ, says now she is turning her back on the Church.

In her own words: “For those who care, and I understand if you don’t: Today I quit being a Christian It’s simply impossible for me to ‘belong’ to this quarrelsome, hostile, disputatious, and deservedly infamous group. For 10 years, I’ve tried. I’ve failed. I’m an outsider. My conscience will allow nothing else.” Then this later follow up: “My faith in Christ is central to my life. My conversion from a pessimistic atheist lost in a world I didn’t understand, to an optimistic believer in a universe created and sustained by a loving God is crucial to me. But following Christ does not mean following His followers. Christ is infinitely more important than Christianity and always will be, no matter what Christianity is, has been or might become.”

I’m sad about this. I wish she hadn’t done it. I have some things to say in response.

The first thing: “I’m sorry.”

I know it will rub some people the wrong way to hear me say this. It’s like those who think a national leader who criticizes or apologizes for American behavior abroad is unpatriotic and undeserving of the office. But the pastoral office gives me a close-up view of the church as it is, not as I want it to be. I see its warts, its hypocrisy, and its fearfulness that sometimes overcomes its faithfulness. I see it all in the church the way I see it all in the mirror. You understand; I see that in me, too.

It reminds me of the old joke of the man who rolls over on a Sunday morning and announces to his wife that he just doesn’t want to go to church today. His wife pushes him out of bed and bellows, “You have to go; you’re the preacher.”

Now, most of the time I can’t wait for Sunday. I suppose that’s partly because I actually love (and mostly like) the people that make up the church I get to serve. But that doesn’t mean they’re angels, anymore than I am. We’re all

“frail creatures of dust and feeble as frail,” as the old hymn puts it. We stumble and we bumble our way behind the infallible Christ, trying our best not to be his leprous bride, as he leads us along.

The Church in every age could have done and should now do a better job of being more Christlike. But our views on things owed to conscience aren’t always right just because we appeal to conscience. Conscience, too, can be distorted.

Divorcing the Church but continuing to carry on a romance with Christ is spiritually awkward at best. Attempting to do so only leaves you with a church of one — yourself. Is that really any better than being part of a church that includes other sinners besides you?

Who we are comes down to whom we love and are loved by. We are relational beings. Not to love the Church means to love someone else more — in this case, not Christ, who is always still found in connection to his trying but failing Church. We are apt to love the world more instead: the world that often lives a story counter to the gospel of that very Christ who says you must love your neighbor as yourself.

“You are what you eat,” nutritionists like to say. But “you are also whom you eat with.” At the Communion rail we receive Christ and each other, feasting upon his flesh and blood (however conceived) alongside flesh and blood sisters and brothers we may not like very much or even respect, but are called to love just the same.

Community

THE LAKE HIGHLANDS FAMILY YMCA at 8920 Stults will host information sessions about father/son and father/daughter programs. Adventure Guides night will be 8-9 p.m. Sept. 7 or 4:30-5:30 p.m. Sept. 11. Adventure Princess nights will be 4:30-5:30 p.m. Sept. 12 and 8-9 p.m. Sept. 14. For details, call 214.221.9622 ext. 14.

MAGUIRE ACADEMY OF IRISH DANCE will have several classes for beginners and adults this month, and the first class is free for new students. Thursdays: 5-5:45 p.m. Beginners, 5:45-6:45 p.m. Beginner 1 and 2, 6:45-8 p.m. Novice, 8-10 p.m. Champs; Fridays: 11 a.m.-noon and 2:30-3:30 p.m. Home school, 3:304:30 p.m. Beginners, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Novice, 5:30-7:20 p.m. Champs; Saturdays: 11 a.m.-noon Beginners, noon-1 p.m. Novice, 1-2 p.m. Ceile Performance Team, 2-4 p.m. Champs. The studio is at 718 N. Buckner, suite 304.

Education

ALL RICHARDSON ISD SCHOOLS in our neighborhood received either an “exemplary” or “recognized” rating from the Texas Education Agency. Neighborhood schools that received a “recognized” rating include: Forest Meadow Junior High, Forest Lane Academy, Lake Highlands Freshman Center, Lake Highlands Junior High, Lake Highlands High School, Thurgood Marshall Elementary and Wallace Elementary. Neighborhood schools that received an “exemplary” rating include: Lake Highlands Elementary, Merriman Park Elementary, Moss Haven Elementary, Northlake Elementary, Stults Road Elementary and White Rock Elementary. Overall, RISD’s schools received 42 “exemplary” and 11 “recognized” ratings.

THE RISD COLLEGE FAIR is 9 a.m.-noon Sept. 25 at UT Dallas Activities Center, 800 W. Campbell. Colleges and universities will be on hand to meet with the school district’s students to explore their interests.

People

LAKE HIGHLANDS RUNNING BACK DESMOND ROLAND committed to play football at Oklahoma State University. During his 2009 season, Roland had 17 touchdowns, 1,240 yards rushing and 504 receiving. He chose OSU over Arkansas and TCU.

FRESHMAN LADY WILDCAT DELANIE DAVIS played in the US Youth Soccer National Championship with her team, Sting 96. Her team went into double over time with a score of 0-0 and lost 5-3 in penalty kicks.

LAKE HIGHLANDS GRADUATE ERIN ALDRICH and her fiancé Andy Shean won the Four Seasons Dallas Ultimate Wedding Contest for $100,000. “Good Morning Texas” will follow the couple through its wedding plans. Nearly 11,000 votes were cast.

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A miSSioN

Wilshire Baptist Church took nine college students on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic, and four of them graduated from Lake Highlands High School — Jessica Girards, Wilson Spreier, Jenny Wolff and Kate p umphrey. They led activities with children and adults through Esperanza International and Buckner International.

HEALTH RESOURCE bu LLE ti N bo

TuToring & Lessons

ART CLASSES ONGOING Personal & Informal, All Levels, 214-321-9793 www.jeffhukillart.com

ART: Draw or Paint. All Levels. L. Highlands North Rec. Ctr. Jane Cross. 214-534-6829, Linda 214-808-4919.

ARTISTIC GATHERINGS

Art Classes For All Ages. Casa Linda Plaza. 214-821-8383. www. artisticgatherings.com

DALLAS TEST PREP Tutoring: SAT, ACT, THEA, TExES, Algebra, Geometry, Pre-Cal. www.dallastestprep.com, 214-686-8980(M)

DRUM & PIANO LESSONS All Ages/All Styles. Your location. UNT Grads. Betty & Bill 972-203-1573

GUITAR, PIANO, YOUR HOME Fun/Easy. 9-Adult. UNT Music Degree. Larry 469-358-8784

SCHOOL STARTS SOON! Retired Teacher Tutors 1st - 4th Grade Reading and Math. 214-349-4599 Ginger Wood

VOICE TEACHER with 37 years experience. MM, NATS, MTNA www.PatriciaIvey.com 214-324-5625

Spanish Immersion Classes in East Dallas

Private and Small Group Classes for Adults & Children Spanish Immersion Preschool Mon. - Fri.

5740 Prospect Ave. #1000

DallasSpanishHouse.com 214-826-4410

ChiLdCare

CHILDCARE HELPER NEEDED.

Experience & References. 214-553-0915

EXPERIENCED OVERNIGHT CAREGIVER FOR INFANTS including multiples. References. Kendell 214-346-9220

LOVING, CHRIST-CENTERED CARE SINCE 1982

Lake Highlands Christian Child Enrichment Center

Ages 2 mo.-12 yrs. 9919 McCree. 214-348-1123.

WE ArE thE chAmpioNS

Lake Highlands High School junior Glory Williams and her Sting 95 club soccer team won the U.S. Youth Championship trophy, defeating the Scorpions Elite from Massachusetts. That makes nine national titles for the team since 1980.

ChiLdCare

empLoymenT

GREAT PT/FT SALES POSITION With Nationally Respected Corp. Excellent Training & Great Support. Call 972-930-9743

LPC-LCSW with exp. in INS.-EAP. 3 yrs post lic/White Rock Area. Fax interest/resume 214-340-7092

MYSTERY SHOPPERS! Earn up to $150 daily. Get paid to shop pt/ft. 800-690-1272

TEACHER - East Dallas Developmental Center (eddc.net) Now hiring! email eddcad@gmail.com or call 214-821-7766

serviCes for you

AT ODDS WITH YOUR COMPUTER? Easily Learn Essential Skills.Services Include Digital Photo Help.Sharon 214-679-9688

CONFUSED? FRUSTRATED? Let A Seasoned Pro Be The Interface Between You & That Pesky Computer. Hardware & Software Installation, Troubleshooting, Training. $60/hr. 1 hr min. Dan 214-660-3733 or stykidan@sbcglobal.net

DONATE YOUR CAR Free Towing. “Cars For Kids” Any Condition. Tax Deductible. Outreach Center. 1-800-597-9411

PAY LESS FOR ELECTRICITY. With Extra Benefits. Ambit Energy. 214-384-0953 www. fredValenta.joinambit.com

THE CHANGING STATION Cloth Diapering & Eco-Essentials. 469-575-6837. www.thechangingstation.net

YOUR COMPUTER GEEK Let Me Solve Your Computer Problems. 25 Yrs. Exp. Hardware/Software Issues/Install. Network Setup, Home & Small Business. $50 per Hr. Mike. 214-552-1323. mikecomputergeek@gmail.com

VICTORIAN Authentic

For your next luncheon, baby shower, reception or other, step back in time to the charm, beauty & elegance of VICTORIAN TIMES, a function your friends & family will talk about for years to come! For all the exciting details call Lisa today at 214-994-3773

Times!™ HOLIDAYS BIRTHDAYS 214-649-2049

Organizing

A DESIGNERS TOUCH FOR ORGANIZATION

Declutter & Organize. Sue Benson 214-349-9064

ORGANIZE & REJUVENATE

Enhance Your Home And Life. Linda 972-816-8004 making your spaces successful!

Home Organization

• Declutter Rooms

• Filing

• Home O ce Set-up

• Unpack For rates, photos and testimonials, visit www.neatnellie.com or call 214.499.4387

Professional Services

ACCOUNTING, TAXES Small Businesses & Individuals. Chris King, CPA 214-824-5313 www.chriskingcpa.com

BOOKKEEPING NEEDS? Need Help Organizing Finances?

No Job Too Small or Big.

Call C.A.S Accounting Solutions. Cindy 214-821-6903

CUSTOM RESUMES Any Level or Field. Invest in your career. Katie. 214-499-4289, katie_shahan@yahoo.com

HEALTH & LIFE INSURANCE Small businesses, Individuals & Families. Local Agent Lori Huff 214-738-4783

UMAX MORTGAGE 20 yrs exp. 1st time buyers/Refi rates low. Stephanie Glazer. 214-579-1493 sglazer@umaxmortgage.com

Website Design

Flash Demos

Graphic Design

RibbitMultimedia .com 214.560.4207

MIND, BODY & SPIRIT

23 PEOPLE NEEDED TO LOSE 5-100 LBS

Doctor Recommended. Guaranteed. 214-321-5307

HEALTHY WEIGHT LOSS Motivational, Compassionate & Confidential Sessions Offered To Those Wanting To Lose Weight & Gain A Healthier Lifestyle. Dr. Nicole Mangum, Health Psychologist. 214-692-6666 ext. 311

ROBERT PICKETT - HAIR DESIGNER

L-Streets Salon. 10233 NW Hwy #424,D,TX 75238

Cuts Mens-$15 Women-$25 214-289-5375

W.O.W. WE ONLY WAX www.weonlywax.com

Full body waxing for men and women. 214-739-2929

WWW.TRAINWITHJEAN.COM On -Line Training Or Golds

Gym White Rock Lke. email@trainwithjean.com 214-886-1459

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Sign Oflife

The White Rock Lake Foundation recently raised funds to install a new sign at Boy Scout Hill. The board members pictured include, from left: Jeannie Terilli,Susan Falvo, Steve Ryba, Sharon Van Buskirk, Gerry Worrall, Joey Terilli, Ted Ellis,Hilary Graham and Jace Graham. Those not pictured are Dr. Rick Sorrells, Chris Moore, Don Wallace, EdValentine, Charles Gray, Suzy AngielDriscoll, Steve Hargrove and Madeline Cyrak.