I never missed a church service in my life. until COVID
! I went 40 years unless I had pneumonia. I participated in worship, Christian Education and preaching. When COVID came, churches were shut down. So we did our service on zoom. The sermons il were recorded, and the music; the quality wasn’t there. Then, we were allowed to open the church with 1/2 our numbers, spaced seating. I stayed home for that. Then I got severe COVID, after showing my vax card in a restaurant. I ended up with COVID pneumonia, but monoclonal antibodies fixed my lungs. I slept 22 hours a day for 3 weeks. Then, over the months, down to 20 hours, 18, 16, 14 &12. I sleep 10 hours now, I’ve improved a lot. It took me about 1 1/2 years to recover from COVID. I’m very immuno-compromised. I’m in one of the strongest biologics there are for my RA. It has some minor side effects, but I’m better than I’ve been in 8 years.
But, during that whole time I was sick, not one person in the church ever phoned me. After 8 years attending and contributions. No one asked how I was doing. Sometimes someone would ask my husband how I was doing, but not one person asked me. I wasn’t a person who hid in the back, either. I made it my business to get to know people. I stood up front on the podium singing, playing flute, and preaching. So, either no one liked me enough to call, or no one likes anyone but their friends, or no one wants me back. I’ve been back 2 times. People said hello, but no one invited us over, or out to lunch.
So, I don’t want to go back to church. Well, that church, or any church. I need to stay healthy. My lungs improved over COVID. Because I never saw anyone. Never got a cold turning into bronchitis, turning into pneumonia. Not for 2 years. My lungs also dried out, making them less infectious.
I had one friend who would have phoned me. But she got Rheumatoid Lung Disease just before COVID and they couldn’t get it under control. She died in 2021. But, what’s the point of attending a church where people smile. But they don’t want to be involved? I’m not bitter, but I just feel I don’t belong there. And, I’m going to be 70 this year. I have a very compromised immune system. It’s probably better for me to stay home. Besides, our pastor believes in open theology. It’s so obvious he doesn’t believe traditional Christian doctrine. So, I don’t want to hear his sermons. Although another person on the team is worth hearing!
I still read my Bible daily. I pray, I witness in Internet forums. I lead a large RA forum on FB. So, I’m doing Ministry, continuing to know& love God more. But, I don’t think I’ll ever go back to that church. Or any. I because I have to keep my health.