Better together

The “spiritual but not religious” group is growing. These “believers” do not participate in formal religious communities. They are faith freelancers: carrying God and moral values in their hearts, but not worshipping with others on Sundays, serving or teaching or praying with others, or giving their money to the mission of a religious institution that they belong to.

The trend away from religious practice in America is disturbing (especially to a pastor, for obvious reasons). Every new report brings worse news than the last about the disappearance of people from the pew.

Reasons for disaffection are diverse, yet not all defensible.

Some have left church because they have been wounded or offended by judgmental believers or unbending leaders. Upholding moral standards can morph into scorn for those who fall and fail. Instead of mercy being the air we breathe in the church, it is reluctantly doled out to contrite sinners. Since we are all sinners, some sinners therefore are in charge of reminding other sinners of their sin and then dispensing grace grudgingly. A lack of humanity and humility in spiritual leaders is demoralizing. Some dropouts have grown weary of the unhealthy encounter.

Others can no longer reconcile their faith with their intellect. The faith that made sense of the world to them as children makes less sense to them as adults. They accept the theory of evolution as fact. They believe the equality of women to men and gays to straight are self-evident. They can’t mesh a loving God with one who condemns most people to hell because they haven’t professed Jesus as their Savior. Appeals to reject science, qualify equality or insist on eternal damnation in the name of faith leaves them cold if not hot, and some take their leave from church because of it.

Increasing numbers are not closing the door on church; they are just not darkening the doors of churches. I see more drifting away than running away. It happens when kids get involved in sports activities on Sundays or after kids are gone from the home. The habit is broken, even if the faith isn’t.

But if faith isn’t practiced within a community, is it not broken? The church may be broken, but what about those who leave it behind? Attitudes of pride and superiority can creep in there, too. Neither scorn nor apathy is a virtue, even if directed toward church.

Most churches work to pass on the meaning of a good life that pleases God. Practiced religion — more than unanchored spirituality — points to that life, reinforces those truths, and bears witness to God by concerted acts of justice and kindness.

The Rev. Lillian Daniel has written a new book titled “When Spiritual But Not Religious Is Not Enough.” Says she: “Throughout time and history people grow closer to God by going deeply into a religious tradition. There is value in landing somewhere and going deep, … allowing yourself to be shaped by a tradition that is bigger than you are. I think the danger of creating your own spirituality is that you simply create a God in our own image. That works when your life is going well, but when things fall apart that is not really much of a foundation.”

Relationships are hard work, even — maybe especially — a relationship with God. Working on it with others is time-tested wisdom. We get better together. Together, we get better.

Community

After 34 years, the Greenville Avenue Area Business Association board of directors and District 14 City of Dallas Councilwoman Angela Hunt gave what is now called the Dallas St. Patrick’s Parade a new kick. On Jan. 16, they revealed the new name and logo. The parade, which is to be held March 16, is expected to attract more than 100,000 people and generate millions of dollars for the City.

For those “impulse gardeners” out there who need help turning their backyard from an eyesore into a utopia, the Dallas Arboretum is offering weekly adult education classes until June. These classes, like the one it held in February with landscape architect Bill Goodnick, will cover topics such as gardening, photography and painting.

Caddo Investments hopes to sell its two Lakewood office towers, including the Advocate’s home base, the Wells Fargo Bank Building, and three other Uptown buildings the group owns. Caddo successfully revived the old Wells Fargo property and made the building accessible to neighborhood groups who need office space for meetings.

Education

The Woodrow Wilson Wildcats Boys and Girls swim teams paddled away with District 13-4A trophies and titles on Jan. 24 at the Alfred J. Loos Natatorium. As a relay team, the boys swim team finished first place in the 400m freestyle relay and second place in the 200m medley relay. Individually, Max Zotos won the 100m backstroke and 200m medley; Noah Thompson won the 50m and 100m freestyle; and Colin Weimer won the 100m butterfly. Zane Wright placed second in both the 500m freestyle and 100m breast stroke. The girls swim team took first place in both the team 200m medley relay and team 400m freestyle relay. Individually, Olivia Schoenecker took first place in both the 200m and 500m freestyle; Greer Lambert took first place in the 100m butterfly and 100m breast stroke; and Samantha Schoenecker took first place in the 100m freestyle and placed second in the 50m freestyle.

During a meet in Azle, Texas, the Math/Science Team at J.L. Long brought home two Sweepstakes trophies – second place for the sixth grade team and second place for seventh and eighth grade team. The students also brought home four team trophies — all second place for sixth grade Number Sense, seventheighth grade Number Sense, sixth grade Calculator, and seventh-eighth grade Calculator. The students also received 42 individual awards.

HAVE AN ITEM TO BE FEATURED?

Please submit news items and/or photos concerning neighborhood residents, activities, honors and volunteer opportunities to editor@advocatemag.com. Our deadline is the first of the month prior to the month of publication.

The Art Metals program opens up employment opportunities within the art industry.

Fine arts may include metal sculpture among other techniques.

Cost: $249 for 48 HRS.

For more information call 214-860-5900.

IT ALL BEGINS HERE. 1402 Corinth Street 214-860-5900 www.elcentrocollege.edu

March 2 FREE ADMISSION

Art Scavenger Hunt 10 am – 2 pm

Children’s Art Activity

10 am – 12 noon

Art in Action Sculpture Demo

10 am – 12:30 pm

Family Tours

Hourly from 10:15 am – 12:15 pm

Yoga in the Garden 11:30 am

Presented by YogaSport (weather permitting)

Creative Writing with The Writer’s Garret 12 pm

Storytime with Dallas Public Library 12:30 pm

NasherKids Live! 1 pm

Science for Kids, Presented by the Perot Museum of Nature and Science

NasherKids Meal at Nasher Cafe

11 am – 2 pm

NasherSculptureCenter.org

Palm Sunday Worship 10:30 March 24 Maundy Thursday Communion 7 pm March 28

Good Friday Tenebrae 7 pm March 29

Easter Breakfast 9 am March 31

CELEBRATION OF EASTER 10:30 am March 31 c c

Donut dash

The Hypnotic Dont 5k featured donut hole pit stops on the course and donuts for runners before and after the race.

EvEnts

Table Talk

Not your typical women’s bible study Times Ten Cellars

March 25 - May 6 6:45-8:15pm Register Online: www.TheMarcellaProject.com

ClassEs/tutoring/ lEssons

ART: Draw or Paint. All Levels. Lake Highlands N. Rec. Ctr. Jane Cross, 214-534-6829. Linda, 214-808-4919.

ARTISTIC GATHERINGS

Art Classes For All Ages. Casa Linda Plaza. 214-821-8383. www.artisticgatherings.com

DRUM & PIANO LESSONS Your location. UNT Grads, Betty & Bill. View BucherMusicSchool.com or call 469-831-7012

GUITAR OR PIANO Fun/Easy. Your Home. 9 to Adult. Prof Musician. UNT Grad. Larry 469-358-8784

JEWELRY Making Parties at Art Gallery. BYOB & creativity. All else included! jewelrymakingparty.com or 1-855-254-6625

LOCAL TEACHER WHO TUTORS Algebra 2, Pre Cal, Calculus. Your Home/Mine. Melissa-MS. 817-988-0202

MATH TUTORING Elementary through High School Sari Bahl, MS Ed 25+ years exp. 214-357-8680

VOICE TEACHER with 38 years experience. MM, NATS www.PatriciaIvey.com 214-769-8560

ChildCarE

LOVING, CHRIST-CENTERED CARE SINCE 1982 Lake Highlands Christian Child Enrichment Center Ages 2 mo.-12 yrs. 9919 McCree. 214-348-1123.

EmploymEnt

AIRLINE CAREERS Begin Here. Become an Aviation Maintenance Tech. FAA Approved. Training. Financial Aid, if qualified. Housing available. Job placement assistance.

AIM 866-453-6204

CREATE INCOME From The Internet. One On One Coaching & Group Support. www.MonthlyResidual.net

Contestants compete in the donut hole chubby bunny contest, following the 5k. Rules: shove as many donut holes in your mouth as you can and say “chubby bunny.” Hypnotic Dash photos by Ethan Healy.

BusinEss opportunitiEs

I’M LOOKING FOR A PART-TIME ASSISTANT Must be a Go Getter. Computer Wiz. Call BJ Ellis 214-226-9875

sErviCEs for you

AT ODDS WITH YOUR COMPUTER? Easily Learn Essential Skills. Services include Digital Photo Help. Sharon 214-679-9688

CONFUSED? FRUSTRATED? Let A Seasoned Pro Be The Interface Between You & That Pesky Computer. Hardware & Software Installation, Troubleshooting, Training. $60/hr. 1 hr min. Dan 214-660-3733 or stykidan@sbcglobal.net

profEssional sErviCEs

ACCOUNTING, TAXES Small Businesses & Individuals. Chris King, CPA 214-824-5313 www.chriskingcpa.com

BOOKKEEPING NEEDS? Need Help Organizing Finances? No Job Too Small or Big.

Call C.A.S. Bookkeeping Services. Cindy 214-821-6903

ESTATE/PROBATE MATTERS Because every family needs a will. Mary Glenn, J.D. maryglennattorney.com • 214-802-6768

HOLLOWAY BENEFIT CONCEPTS Benefit strategy For Area Businesses. www.hollowaybenefitconcepts.com 214-329-0097

For kicks

The Robert E. Lee Elementary School girls soccer team, the Lady Cougars, won the Northeast Girls Division Championship in December. The team is led by coach Mario Ramires and coach Brad Willingham.