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The Philly Inquirer published a great article on the Eastern Christian churches in Philadelphia. See the link to read it. Some great photos too.

Eastern Churches article [philly.com]

This is an interesting article about the decline and resurgence of an old ethnic neighborhood in Philadelphia, PA. focusing on the remaining presence of the East European immigrants and their remaining churches. It is a sad story, but one repeated in many old cities. If this is the wrong forum for this, I apologize.

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/homepage/20100103_SPECIAL_REPORT__A_FRAYED_CONNECTION.html

good article; the comments, however... saddening.

The article refers to the DL of St. John Chrysostom as Christianity "most elaborate, enigmatic" liturgy, a statement which is not at all obviously true. I wonder what my Coptic Orthodox friend, whose church's average Sunday liturgy is over three hours long, would say about that?

Alexis

It is an interesting play on words that the Inquirer headline says "FACING A NEW SCHISM."
Why they chose that word, I don't know, but it has a very sensitive meaning. It surely got my attention.
Ray

Msgr. Waslo's comments are very interesting especially when all we have been hearing about is evangelization, evangelization and more evangelization!

I have heard people describe themselves as "spiritual, not religious" - it's the old "God, yes; Church, no" mentality.

How can we respond to these ways of thinking? They are inadequate but their inadequacy isn't obvious. let's face it: a lot of people have had some very negative experiences with the institutional Church. I myself have had some - but I've had good ones as well.

I have pondered about how do our churches interact with the neighborhood and community. In a world of spiritual coldness, I would think that we need to be that warmth for others. It is also quite possible that we don't know how to, never been taught, and in humility need to ask for help. You never know, there just may be that somebody or a family in the community that will be that yeast or spark that can turn it around.

Ray

Food. You get them in the door with food. Then you hang onto them for dear life.

I was actually thinking "hats." But I am not too sure because of George Costanza's experience with the Lativian Orthodox Church. ;-)

Ray:

Christ is Born!!

One of the Protestant churches in my area has a free meal of soup, bread, and a hot drink on Saturdays. It's not elaborate, but they have had some of the people who stop by join.

BOB

We tend to have a potluck every non-summer sunday and day of precept... right after liturgy. It's one of the strongest retention tools.