tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750949408338221752.post6841342421787829291..comments2015-12-30T10:33:25.534+00:00Comments on Throw yourself like seed: In praise of bignessAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01248358840390936013noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750949408338221752.post-74906077693025436042010-03-14T20:51:01.048+00:002010-03-14T20:51:01.048+00:00I have been attending a Unitarian congregation rec...I have been attending a Unitarian congregation recently in Pasadena, CA that is somewhere from 600 to 800 members. Previously I attended a congregation that was close to 200 in Fullerton, CA. The change was not due to the size, but because I spend time with my fiancee near Pasadena. However, I do notice the size helps to get higher quality choir plus more volunteers. There are definite benefits. Check out my blog on Unitarianism at http://raphe1969.blogspot.com/2010/03/unitarianism-is-good-enough-for-me.htmlRaphehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12119473180865430576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750949408338221752.post-74726335718791657092010-03-11T13:34:03.910+00:002010-03-11T13:34:03.910+00:00There's also an interesting article by Carl Mc...There's also an interesting article by Carl McColman on <a href="http://is.gd/acMxY" rel="nofollow">setting up a contemplative curriculum</a> (Carl is a Catholic who used to be a Pagan, & he's interfaith-friendly). His idea is Christ-focused, but such a group wouldn't have to be. There are some useful thoughts on church for introverts here. <br /><br />Regarding shifts in size, Isaac Bonewits' book on ritual talks about doing rituals with very different-sized groups. I also have a lot of experience & ideas in this area, having done small-group rituals for 4 or 5 and large participatory rituals for groups of 30 or 40 - very different beasts.<br /><br />I also think that most people need 3 levels of spiritual practice: individual, small group, and community. The community level is mostly lacking in Wicca, which is one of several reasons why I went looking for a spiritual community.<br /><br />That article by the Alban Institute consultant is interesting, thanks.Yewtreehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02028699564003381058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750949408338221752.post-68016150340016807872010-03-10T11:44:50.199+00:002010-03-10T11:44:50.199+00:00Not only possible, Yewtree, but essential if a lar...Not only possible, Yewtree, but essential if a larger congregation is going to provide opportunities for spiritual support and intimacy. This is a part of standard thinking about congregational structure as it changes with size. See for example <a href="http://www.congregationalresources.org/article0132.asp" rel="nofollow">this online article</a> from a former Alban Institute consultant.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01248358840390936013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750949408338221752.post-19684806195679628232010-03-10T10:17:26.308+00:002010-03-10T10:17:26.308+00:00I think it's possible to have smaller groups w...I think it's possible to have smaller groups within the larger group, provided these don't turn into cliques.Yewtreehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02028699564003381058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750949408338221752.post-76337547136596957372010-03-09T20:53:44.078+00:002010-03-09T20:53:44.078+00:00You have really made the case for becoming a large...You have really made the case for becoming a larger congregation (or at least large by British standards). <br /><br />There is some value in being a small community, and it must be said that some people will thrive better in it. Yet as you explain, being part of (or at least having access to) a larger congregation offers greater opportunities for spiritual growth, doing so with both greater breadth and depth.Tim Moorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01566542867110405760noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750949408338221752.post-58049392624147620942010-03-09T16:22:57.919+00:002010-03-09T16:22:57.919+00:00It's already been said, but I'll say it ag...It's already been said, but I'll say it again - great stuff Andy, very inspiring!adie.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09430340778406715568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750949408338221752.post-63874565614204475702010-03-09T13:08:41.899+00:002010-03-09T13:08:41.899+00:00Writing from the U.S. -- larger Unitarian and Univ...Writing from the U.S. -- larger Unitarian and Universalist churches aren't endemic here, either. So you go and grow and lean on those who support growth when the inevitable sniping comes.Scott Wellshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03838480302407811239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750949408338221752.post-87217068993363877822010-03-09T11:44:13.361+00:002010-03-09T11:44:13.361+00:00Great stuff Andy, very inspiring.Great stuff Andy, very inspiring.Yewtreehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02028699564003381058noreply@blogger.com