Sunday Assembly Testimonials
I just wanted to thank you for an incredible experience on Sunday morning. My sister has lived in Madison for almost six years and has struggled with finding a place to feel connected to her faith. We were raised Catholic but have issues with several of the church’s beliefs/statements, including the fact that my sister, a Celiac [can’t eat barley, wheat, rye and in cases oats], cannot partake in communion. My sister attended a Taize prayer service at your beautiful facility and was very moved by the people and the space. She asked my family and I to attend a Sunday service with her as part of her birthday weekend…what a special, special treat! I have never been in a church that felt more safe, more loving, and more faith-filled than yours. I thought the student center I attended in college in Cedar Falls, IA, was pretty amazing, but my goodness, there were moments where I was literally brought to tears on Sunday.
The worship space is just beautiful. Something about the simplicity of the room made it so easy to focus on the words being spoken and just truly be a part of the moments of silence.
I have never participated in a communion like yours, and I wish it was something I could do every weekend in my own church. It was just beautiful sharing the bread with my neighbor and watching us all partake at the same exact time. And I’ve never seen children share in communion with adults as true equals…to watch the little ones turn to an adult and say “The Bread of Life” was beyond moving. By far the most significant moment was observing a young member with Down’s Syndrome be first in line for the wine and then turn and offer it to the next member in line. God’s true love for all couldn’t be more expressed than it was by your members.
I have also never been in a church where a lay person gave the homily. It, too, moved me to tears. Also, my church no longer holds hands as a congregation when saying the Lord’s Prayer, and I loved being able to hold hands again.
I could just go on and on…from the Prayers of Intercession being opened up to the congregation, to everyone moving around to wish as many people peace as was possible…it was just beautiful.
What a blessing the monastery is to the Middleton community. Thank you for such an incredible spiritual experience.
–Abbey, Naperville, IL, 2/6/11
The importance of ecumenism in this shrinking world never touched us so deeply as it has since we joined the Sunday Assembly.
–Phyllis & Dick Pelkey, 1/19/11
For more information about Sunday Assembly, contact Lynn at (608) 836-1631 x138.
