You know, pigeons, we get so many invitations to attend retreats and events. Our time is so precious and our professional expense accounts limited, how do we make the choice about where to go and what to do for spiritual renewal?
And does clothing have anything to do with that choice?
For me, the answer is yes. I received an invite for a regional clergy woman gathering recently and I went to their website all excited to learn about the group.
I saw photos of a woman leading group worship in a “creative” muu-muu/poncho.
I knew immediately that this was not my cup of tea.
What can I tell you, my butterbeans? Shallow? Or just experienced?
A picture’s worth a thousand words, and some of the words that came to my mind when I saw the images from this retreat were: dated, New Age, embarrassing and “eek.”
I also noticed that every woman in the group seemed to be well over 50.
Like I said yesterday, generational issues.
Don’t think that church seekers don’t have the same visceral reaction to what we’re wearing when they stop by our websites.
Ruh, roh…was that mine? I never looked at the website! You’re right. They do appear to represent a distinct generational viewpoint. Not that there’s anything wrong with that…Unlike Paul few of us can truly be all things to all people. But I promise that I will never wear a muu-muu to worship, even if God in great kindness calls me to pastor in Hawaii… [OH GIRL, what kind of an ingrate would I be if I was referring to your gals? They, however, do commit a series of similar crimes. Again, Unitarian Universalists not as special and unique as we claim to be: even in frumpiness! 🙂 – PB]
No harm, no foul. ;>)
Some of us who are over 50 have not embraced the muumuu, because we are working our asses off, literally, to keep our bodies in shape.
I’m a little tender, and somewhat in denial about having crossed the 50-line. Still, I’m the fittest and probably look the best I have in years (as Sarah G. said, working my ass off). Bragging? Sure. Also humbled by and grateful to a higher power that has gotten me here, and keeps me going.
Who *are* these women, and what are they thinking? Cherubim, I’m over 50, frankly amazed that I’ve lived this long, and the last time *I* wore a muumuu, it was a hot August afternoon, and I was halfway through a two-show day. Only excuse I can thnk of for wearing one of those things…
Ok. I admit it.
When I was church shopping when moving to Boston I definitely looked at the websites and specifically at the minister’s pages. If they looked to be a little to… earth grandmotherly I, uh, maybe didn’t check them out.
*ducks*
Ok, yeah, I was judging a book by its cover but, dude, if you are actively hugging trees during worship I will spend more time rolling my eyes than embracing the divine. [Well, kiddo, don’t duck, because that is EXACTLY how this blog was born. A close friend admitting the same thing to me, prompting a hilarious rant from me on the subject of clergy frumpiness, and she said “You need to start a blog about this.” Voila. – PB]
Truefacts.