tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009563.post111237877231275361..comments2023-12-22T03:49:21.303-05:00Comments on Reflections of a Happy Old Man: The Church of the SaviorLarry Claytonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11571190213288384302noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009563.post-1112446190552186662005-04-02T07:49:00.000-05:002005-04-02T07:49:00.000-05:00Right on, Liz. I'm happy to write about C of S as...Right on, Liz. I'm happy to write about C of S as long as anyone's interested.<BR/><BR/>Here's an attempt to answer each of your inquiries:<BR/><BR/>1. "How and why did you move away?" Well I'm almost sorry you asked that, but loving truth as I do, here goes:<BR/><BR/>For years I told people that C of S was a three year experience, and actually few people who came stayed that long. They came from all over the world, as to a shrine; they worshiped, they were fed, and they moved on.<BR/><BR/>Many went back home and tried to replicate the model, with varying degrees of success.<BR/><BR/>After 16 years as Quakers we were living in Ocala (FL), but visited the church. One of my best friends there introduced me to the former governor of FL, Buddy McKay at the church. He and his wife were very interested.<BR/><BR/>Now I'm a member of the "Church Without Walls", an ecumenical group focused on helping children in need. The head of it, Jim Bullock and his wife were vitally interested in C of S.<BR/><BR/>Why did we become Quakers? C of S is a highly structured place; after ten years there we were ready for something less structured. Quakers are the least structured religious institution I've found and suits me better now.<BR/><BR/>Re Betty O.: she was a staff member of the church. One day I was in the church office and she came in in distress: she couldn't get her car started. I went out and found the steering wheel was locked and required a bit a pressure to function.<BR/><BR/>She was semi reclusive, hard to know. I attended one class in the School of Christian Living that she led. She was a rare and beautiful writer, died a few years ago.<BR/><BR/>Yes, the church is still very much alive. Gordon, at almost 90 preaches every Sunday to a faithful few. But the life of the church moved on beyond headquarters. Now it's made up of about 15 (small) churches, each with its own particular mission. This was called the New Land; it happened just about the time we got there.<BR/><BR/>Friends from the church come down to spend a couple of weeks with us each winter.<BR/><BR/>Our youngest son and family live a few blocks from Potters House, so we're around that area quite often.<BR/><BR/>Well again, enough for now. Maybe more to come.Larry Claytonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11571190213288384302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009563.post-1112406563658185202005-04-01T20:49:00.000-05:002005-04-01T20:49:00.000-05:00Whoops, I've already answered one of my own questi...Whoops, I've already answered one of my own questions, 'cuz I couldn't stop myself from reading other webpages related to Church of the Savior! Hah!<BR/><BR/>Here's a section I read from the <A HREF="http://www.slschool.org/pages/aboutus/10history.html" REL="nofollow">Servant Leadership School</A>'s website:<BR/><BR/><I>The basic principles of The Church of the Saviour are lived out in each of the churches formed from its roots. These principles include:<BR/><BR/><B>A serious commitment to following Jesus;<BR/><BR/>A faithful, disciplined life of prayer and scripture study;<BR/><BR/>Active, hands-on involvement, in response to God’s call, to address some area of need in our broken world;<BR/><BR/>Faithfulness to the covenant of one’s particular small church.</B><BR/><BR/>Churches that have grown out of The Church of the Saviour include Church of the Servant Jesus, Covenant Community, Dayspring Church, Eighth Day Church, Festival Church, Friends of Jesus Church, Jubilee Church, Lazarus Church, New Community Church, Potter’s House Church, Seekers Community, and Wounded Music Faith Community. All emphasize a commitment to an inward journey—deepening one’s relationship with God—and an outward journey—mission and service. A complete listing of the places and times of worship for these churches is available in the <A HREF="http://www.slschool.org/pages/contactus/30resources.html" REL="nofollow">Resources</A> section.</I><BR/><BR/>Blessings (and I'm gonna stop and have dinner now!),<BR/><A HREF="http://thegoodraisedup.blogspot.com" REL="nofollow">Liz</A>Liz Opphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09802348848085930901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009563.post-1112405887415435902005-04-01T20:38:00.000-05:002005-04-01T20:38:00.000-05:00You close your post with, I could go on and on, bu...You close your post with, <I>I could go on and on, but you have probably had enough for now.</I><BR/><BR/>Actually, no: I'm wanting <B><I>more!</I></B> I hope there'll be Part II soon: How and why did you move away from this wonderful spiritual community and enter into Friends? Did you meet Elizabeth O'Connor, who I understand was also dedicated to <A HREF="http://www.pottershousebooks.org" REL="nofollow">Potter's House</A>...? Is the Church of the Savior still functioning <A HREF="http://www.seekerschurch.org/general/saviour.htm" REL="nofollow">somehow, somewhere</A>, or is Potter's House a remaining fragment?<BR/><BR/>Your post got me so intrigued, that I searched and came across <A HREF="http://www.pottershousebooks.org/HTML/origins.html" REL="nofollow">this information about Gordon Cosby</A>,the fierce minister you write about. I get the sense that if he were alive today, Gordon would help those of us among Friends who are "lukewarm" to either heat up or seriously chill. <BR/><BR/>I am <B>so glad</B> you took the time to write, Larry. And I am so glad I took the time to read!<BR/><BR/>Blessings,<BR/><A HREF="http://thegoodraisedup.blogspot.com" REL="nofollow">Liz</A>Liz Opphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09802348848085930901noreply@blogger.com