House Church/Free church

cac123


Joined: 20/07/2011
Posts: 82

Message Posted:
29/09/2011 19:10

I am looking for a church in the Girnie area, I attend a Methodist church in the UK and so I am looking for something similar( not a high church) Anyone knows of one in the area.

Deniz1


Joined: 28/07/2009
Posts: 3829

Message Posted:
29/09/2011 20:17

St Andrews Church Of England not too high church. Near the big car park in Girne.

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
29/09/2011 21:08

I'm looking for God - but never found 'him' in a church - or anywhere else for that matter!

Deniz1


Joined: 28/07/2009
Posts: 3829

Message Posted:
29/09/2011 21:19

perhaps he doesnt want you to find him!

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
29/09/2011 21:50

Jeez, 'Deniz1' - you're all heart!



Sure you're a Christian?

paddywack


Joined: 04/05/2009
Posts: 959

Message Posted:
29/09/2011 22:16

Msg 3.

Dont know why you are bothering.

cac123


Joined: 20/07/2011
Posts: 82

Message Posted:
29/09/2011 22:24

St Andrews is to high for me, any other sensible answers appreciated.

BizziLizzi


Joined: 02/08/2011
Posts: 855

Message Posted:
29/09/2011 22:58

Message 3: "The Kiss of the Sun for pardon, the song of the birds for mirth,

One is nearer God's hear in a garden, than any place else on earth"





Try it!

BizziLizzi


Joined: 02/08/2011
Posts: 855

Message Posted:
29/09/2011 23:04

Message 3: "The Kiss of the Sun for pardon, the song of the birds for mirth,

One is nearer God's heart in a garden, than any place else on earth"





Try it!

Marion


Joined: 06/03/2011
Posts: 1816

Message Posted:
29/09/2011 23:17

So here comes a serious answer to what I understand to be a serious question.

Unfortunately, there are two churches, st.Andrew's and the Roman Catholic one. If you have been part of a methodist church, then I doubt you will take to St.Andrew's 8.a.m. or later morning service because, unless they have changed, it is communion all the way. However, they do have a 'free' service around 5p.m. which is more slappy, happy, clappy, and is mainly students. You might want to try that.

Unfortunately, there are no house churches as such because this is NOT U.K, and although some people have tried gatherings in their houses, the police come round as complaints are made about the singing etc, and of course, this is a secular/moslem country.

so, your searchcould be in vain. there are many others here who were attached to churches in U.K who cannot find a fellowship to suit,l and so they stayat home and although they would all agree they still find God, they do not have the fellowship they used

Marion


Joined: 06/03/2011
Posts: 1816

Message Posted:
29/09/2011 23:18

/ to have. sorry if this sounds negative,and I hope there is someone who can tell you otherwise, and I really DO understand where you are coming from and what you seek, but not sure you will find here.

BizziLizzi


Joined: 02/08/2011
Posts: 855

Message Posted:
29/09/2011 23:18

cac123



Apart from the RC Church as far as I know St. Andrews is the only Church in and around Kyrenia. They do claim to welcome any denomination, but I must admit I find it hidebound and cliqueish and they only cater for people who are available for morning service!



You could try the Cyprus International Followship Service - it is mainly students and some find it a bit "clap happy" but there is a pleasant atmosphere and it is less formal. 1700 to 2000 in St. Andrews Church Hall (below the Church) on Sunday evenings according to the ST. Andrews magazine.

Marion


Joined: 06/03/2011
Posts: 1816

Message Posted:
30/09/2011 00:04

Two minds with a single thought, BizziLizzi!

Riddles


Joined: 26/04/2011
Posts: 429

Message Posted:
30/09/2011 00:38

Msg 3

You won't find him whilst snorkerling ....he walks on the water!

Deniz1


Joined: 28/07/2009
Posts: 3829

Message Posted:
30/09/2011 08:55

Did I say i was a Christian in my post? I think not.

Tango1


Joined: 19/02/2011
Posts: 1151

Message Posted:
30/09/2011 10:27

Msg.7. You obviously haven't been to St Andrews for a while then, as it's certainly not High Church in any way shape or form, not with the new Chaplain in situ, if anything its swong the other way entirely. There is communion of course at both of the morning services but what's that go to do with being High Church. High Church is Anglo Catholic and it's not that for certain. The early service is just spoken and the 10.30 service has hymns etc. The evening service is what has been referred to here as "happy clappy" but it's not all students, although they make up the majority. I understand a great time is had by all. Give it a go if hat is more you kind of thing. At the morning services there are C of E, Methodists, Baptists and some Catholics. There are also some Turkish christians in attendance.

BizziLizzi


Joined: 02/08/2011
Posts: 855

Message Posted:
30/09/2011 10:33

Indeed, Marion,I think we have been in accord on this one before elsewhere. Such a shame the only protestant Church is not broader based and more encompassing. Though to be fair, I suspect they have problems being accepted by the CoE establishment at all, in view of location.

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
30/09/2011 11:11

It's all this sectarianism that has and still is causing most human divisiveness and misery.



So, my question for 'cac123'/Msg 1 is: How many gods, or Creators, are there?

paddywack


Joined: 04/05/2009
Posts: 959

Message Posted:
30/09/2011 11:18

Msg 18,

None

theFish


Joined: 30/09/2011
Posts: 5

Message Posted:
30/09/2011 14:47

There are quite a few Christians in the same boat. We are Believers and meet in a number of different places.

You are welcome to make direct contact and we could meet up. We live in the Girne area.

philbailey


Joined: 17/01/2011
Posts: 3534

Message Posted:
30/09/2011 14:55

Are there any dyslexic churches





for those who believe in dog ?

Marion


Joined: 06/03/2011
Posts: 1816

Message Posted:
30/09/2011 15:16

Give over message 18. This is a genuine question by genuine people to find a gathering of christians where they can worship and learn more of their faith from eachother. At least that is what I assume. the quesiton of how many gods there are is irrelevant. But if you wanted I could sit and discuss the matter with you for hours - after all I am a B.D. and that does NOT stand for 'Blooming Daft'. Just let the other folk find what they are looking for.



and to Phil, that reminds me of a story years ago, where a young boy pointed out that his dog was his best friend because it is God backwards (not a backward god!)

Lucie


Joined: 02/09/2010
Posts: 50

Message Posted:
30/09/2011 17:48

cac, my email is wallenhome@gmail.com



Would be interesting to chat.



Cathy

BizziLizzi


Joined: 02/08/2011
Posts: 855

Message Posted:
01/10/2011 00:02

"In my father's house are many mansions"





We should just be thankful in this day and age that we live in a country to allows freedom of worship.



But it is such a pity to my mind, that the only services at the one physical Church in the area are restricted to two mornings a week and all three include Communion which I| am sure are disincentives to others apart from myself and actually exclude some



Also (high or low Church) there are some wonderful services in the C of E but we never get a chance to attend them.



In l996 there were two other morning services , one very simple "Morning Prayer" without communion or music and a monthly Evening Prayer but over time they are been eroded. There have been attempts to reinstate an evening service, but with lack of enthusiasm and support.



If people are interested in different types of service, perhaps they should contact ST. Andrews (there is a website) and make their views known.

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
01/10/2011 09:06

At school we were taught that 'transubstantsiation' [the transformation of the communion wine into the blood of Christ] actually happens - even at age 12, I had the 'nouse' to realise that this can only be balderdash.



Having religion literally thrashed into you on a regular basis, with canes and hard-soled slippers, from the age of 8-16, is bound to slightly diminish one's acceptance - don't you think, Marion - or any other 'believers'?

misunderstood


Joined: 08/04/2011
Posts: 1004

Message Posted:
01/10/2011 16:59

I am a Christian and I think you can attend a church, or not, I agree that great outdoors is my church and I do feel closer to to God when I am gardening.



For all those joiking, it is fine to, God does have a sense of humour, he must have,, he created me.

BizziLizzi


Joined: 02/08/2011
Posts: 855

Message Posted:
01/10/2011 17:58

Nice on misunderstood.



I agree - it is sufficiently a miracle that I can plant a little brown seed and it changes into a beautiful flower or delicious vegatable for me to believe in a benign guiding force in the universe - although sometimes I wonder why He had to create slugs and bindweed!



But it is difficult to be a Christian because - like Tenakoutou I can believe inthe doctrine of transubstitution (among other things) and I think that a Church (particularly when it has an effective monopoly) that doesnt allow people who share myviews or have other doubts, to worship without having it effectively forced on them lacks charity. OK they dont make one partake - let alone beat it in with a slipper - but they do make one feel awkward if one doesnt partake, and as Isaid before there are plenty of other services in the CoE Prayer Book.

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
01/10/2011 18:22

misunderstood/msg 26:



Even though so many of us have been so brutally cheated in TRNC and we agree, quite rightly, to commiserate one another - this is another issue pertaining to God/Jesus 'protecting his little lambs'.



However, in response to your statement, even if made 'tongue in cheek': 'For all those joking, it is fine to, God does have a sense of humour, he must have,, he created me.'



Unfortunately, and this NO joke, please convince me what sort of a sick sense of humour any supposedly omnipotent god, or deity has, that allows two thirds of the world to continue to starve?



Christians always seem to be able to hypothesise over such issues - of course, cosseted from reality from within the cocoon of their own 'comfort zone'!

stubbs1


Joined: 07/08/2011
Posts: 174

Message Posted:
01/10/2011 18:33

Tenakoutou,



Don’t lambast people and their beliefs, just because you don’t believe. Each to their own. Just stay off the thread you ignoramus.



Simples.

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
01/10/2011 19:13

In my View religion (in it's initial form) was the generation of Power over the illiterate masses, ie; do as we say or Gods wroth will fall upon thee......how many people did the "Christian" countries allow to die in order to satisfy their need for political gain.



Answer WW1...35 million



WW 2 ....60 million THOU SHALL NOT KILL....yeah right !!!..





All together now, All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small etc, etc

philbailey


Joined: 17/01/2011
Posts: 3534

Message Posted:
01/10/2011 19:18

Religion the root of all evil

elkiton



Joined: 15/03/2009
Posts: 514

Message Posted:
01/10/2011 20:55

The original poster was looking for a Methodist or similar church in N Cyprus.

The thread did not invite a discussion of the rights or wrongs of religion, so why do you have to trash her thread with your supercilious and not very original comments on the subject of God or no God?

TonyE

Lemtich



Joined: 15/02/2007
Posts: 1487

Message Posted:
01/10/2011 21:17

This is good!....



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiFYRUJ1ig8&feature=related

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
01/10/2011 21:37

'Live and let live!' has always been my belief.



However, does not believing warrant me being called an 'ignoramus', unless the caller can produce proof positive of the existence of any god.



My intention has not been to lambast any believer, but we all know that religion is a highly contentious subject, as is politics - therefore, such a thread, especially when one believer states that a certain branch of their own Christian religion is too 'high church' for them and uses this as an excuse to preclude them from praying in any 'house of God', sounds elitist. Surely, any place of worship should be universally acceptable for use by anybody who believes in the Creator?



As far as I am concerned, I haven't made any 'supercilious' comment - the Oxford dictionary definition: w. ref. 'to raised eyebrows, contemptuous, showing haughty indifference, or assuming superiority.'



As for 'trashing her thread'; such threads are liable to incense the sensibilities of agnostics and aetheists!

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
01/10/2011 21:41

msg32.And your" original" comments on the subject of God or no God are ??..(waits with baited breath)don't tell me , you've seen an Andrew Lloyd Webber interpretation of Christianity on one of your all expenses paid trips to the Big Apple....Personally I think religion is about as desirable as a dose ....

theFish


Joined: 30/09/2011
Posts: 5

Message Posted:
03/10/2011 11:04

cac123 like lucie we are pleased if you want some fellowship 0533865 2624

Marion


Joined: 06/03/2011
Posts: 1816

Message Posted:
03/10/2011 11:59

Ihope the placerof the original message is not too disheartened. I canquite understand that C of E and its weekly litany and H.c services do not enable people of other denominations to worship with their hearts. It is not about prayer (one can pray anywhere, any time) it is to do with worship (which not many people wish to do - that is their choice) but sadly, \Message 1, I don't think you will find any congregation.fellowship here in the north which will be remotely like what you have left behind.

Discussions of faith versus agnosticism and atheism are, I appreciate, of little value to you in your quest.

There is a church at |Lefkosia which is definitely 'free church' but maybe that is too far for you to go, but I could give you a contact number if you wanted to have a chat with them.

even if you cannot find the church of your choosing, I hope you don't lose the god of your choosing!!

cac123


Joined: 20/07/2011
Posts: 82

Message Posted:
03/10/2011 18:19

Thank you for your comments epecially those that have been helpful and supportive.

tonykyte


Joined: 19/04/2008
Posts: 270

Message Posted:
03/10/2011 19:18

Have you thought of joining the bible study group held at the Hermitage in Girne on a Thursday evening, it will give you the opportunity to meet others and the chaplin from St Andrews. Drop me a email if you are interested drop me a email.

Aysesdaddy



Joined: 21/03/2009
Posts: 392

Message Posted:
03/10/2011 19:36

We are methodists and go to church every week here in the UK, in fact I am a church steward and my wife is a Junior church leader. When we are in Kyrenia each year for a month we always go to St. Andrews and find it a lovely service. I would give it a try if I were you, you won't know unless you do.

elkiton



Joined: 15/03/2009
Posts: 514

Message Posted:
03/10/2011 19:37

Message 35,

I have no desire to debate the God or No God argument with you..at least not in this thread. It is one that neither of us can or will win, as you well know.

My original comment about trashing the thread still stands, interesting thought but you are way off beam with the ALW comment, I paid for the trip myself lol

TonyE

cac123


Joined: 20/07/2011
Posts: 82

Message Posted:
04/10/2011 04:55

tried St Andrews and it wasn't for me.

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
04/10/2011 08:45

cac123/re. msg 42:



I found that drinking Christ's 'blood' wasn't for me, either - you have my utmost sympathy!



When the school chaplain accidentally tipped the chalice up too much and spilled communion wine on one of my classmate's school tie and shirt; immediately after the service, the chaplain ordered the boy to surrender the soiled garments to the school matron, to be immediately incinerated - charming - so civilised!



'The Concise Oxford Dictionary': transubstantiation, n. (Theol.) conversion of whole substance of eucharistic bread & wine into body and blood respectively of Christ.



Maybe the Moon IS made of green cheese!

misunderstood


Joined: 08/04/2011
Posts: 1004

Message Posted:
04/10/2011 09:25

Tenakoutou I was not questioning anyone's right to believe as they will. I believe in free will, to choose your own path. I do not have answers, I too have many questions, but then I expect to have my faith challenged, I just thank God for my faith.



In Iran at this present time is an Iranian Pastor about to die for his beliefs, his faith is great and makes me feel very humble, but privileged to live in a secular country. They may take my villa and my lap top but they do allow me my choice to believe as I believe.

BizziLizzi


Joined: 02/08/2011
Posts: 855

Message Posted:
04/10/2011 12:25

Well said , misunderstood, we really should be grateful for the religioous freedom allowed in the TRNC.



I have attended St. Andrews intermittantly for 15 years, and I regret to say that increasingly it makes me doubt rather than strengthen a frail faith! And l5 years with hardly any variation in the service get a little wearying with the best will in the world. In fairness I have not been able to attend since the new Chaplain has arrived - I will as soon as there is a service at a time I can manage.



Have you tried the Christian Fellowship cac? It isnt exactly "my scene" either, but there is a real feeling of enthusiasm and they are providing a very necessary resource for the students and deserve support.

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
04/10/2011 20:41

Since most Cypriots' [North & South] 'religious persuasion' seems to be merely crass materialism, any religious significance shouldn't really be of any concern to them - even for foreigners' 'heathen' beliefs!



You can just about hear them: 'Let the foreigners believe what they like - as long as they line our pockets - we certainly don't need to 'shoot ourselves in the foot' over that one!'

BizziLizzi


Joined: 02/08/2011
Posts: 855

Message Posted:
04/10/2011 23:27

As someone who has received more (there are exceptions both ways of course)support, help and kindness when I have had problems from Cypriot friends than I have from the expatriate community , including professed "Christians" , I consider message 46 offensive.



It is also pots and kettles - there are expats who have - let us say not been successful --in their own country who come here intending to "line their pockets" at the expense of what they see as an unsophisticated people(an possibly gullible and vulnerable fellow expats) in an isolated country away from the safeguards that exist in their homeland.

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
05/10/2011 07:40

Each to his, or her, own experience, 'BizziLizzi'!



Being, in your own words, a doubter of frail faith, it's unsurprising that you consider msg 46 offensive - so many 'god-botherers' are so hypersensitive, aren't they!

misunderstood


Joined: 08/04/2011
Posts: 1004

Message Posted:
05/10/2011 11:16

Tenakoutou. You have your point of view, whilst I find it different, and you know my history, so much that has happened to me here has tested my faith, without it I know I would have 'gone under' (pun intended)



I just thank God I have endured. Looks like there is a lot more testing times to come, bring it on.

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
05/10/2011 11:48

You have my admiration and respect for all your unstinting efforts on behalf of all the cheated people in TRNC -unfortunately, successive governments have continued to remain impervious to all appeals.



It doesn't take a Philadelphia lawyer to work out the REAL reason for this intransigence!



I'm afraid we'll just have to agree to disagree on the subject of religion - I trust this is acceptable!



I should, however, tell you this: in my diving career, I had two particularly close to drowning incidents - on both occasions I gasped for God to save me......a last resort, measure of desperation. But, there again, a drowning person will grasp for a straw..........

misunderstood


Joined: 08/04/2011
Posts: 1004

Message Posted:
05/10/2011 12:41

Of course I can agree to disagree - we are both grown ups (well you are, I am not sure about me).



YOu are a nice man and for me that is all that counts. I used your words you gave me (naughty) but I am human.