Hello....What a great site!

[Thom0265]

I am a new user to this site and the more I read the more I wish I had found it sooner. Life is certainly a journey and it has been wonderful to travel the road. The experiences have not also been pleasant, to be quite honest some of them have sucked! But the journey has been great because I have learned a great deal about me! I served as a pastor for 18 years in a conservative denomination, was married to a great woman and a father to a wonderful 14 year-old daughter. Life appeared to be wonderful....a ministry that was growing.....the appearence of a perfect marriage and family but I was miserable and falling apart on the inside. I was hiding a secret that I thought was awful. But after having a nervous breakdown and really coming apart at the seams God in his great wisdom showed me a more excellent way...a way of honesty. I left the ministry and in the process of getting a divorce and I have never been happier with me. I have found a church home in the United Church of Christ that is amazing.

The experiences have been rough but the journey has been amazing! I certainly miss my ministry (it has been one year now) but the ministry opportunities have been abounding. I would have never imagined at 40 years old starting to date again, dealing with being single and starting life over again but God is certainly good! I love my new work in the public sector (I love politics)!

That is me in a nutshell just as means of introduction! I look forward to interacting with many of you in the future!

[Jennifer5]

Welcome, Glad you're here! Have you looked at the 1000 Watt Walk? at least I think that's what they're calling it... Anyway I hope you enjoy being here.

[Zerbie]

Welcome Thom. I understand very well the feeling of being so much younger, life-wise, than your years, as your situation seems to be. . . and all so new this year!

Welcome to the forums - I hope you will enjoy reading our chatter, and come back and post some more. You have a home with us, come back whenever you want. Wish you all the best as you move on in your new life. Wishing you peace.

Zerbie

[Daniel]

Welcome Thom. You've reminded me that The Way of Honesty is of fundamental (no pun intended!) importance. Hiding who we are from ourselves and others is, in a word, destructive. And I'm glad you've been able to find your way into the light and have found a new path. You give hope to those whom, for whatever reason, see none.

[SolInvictus]

Welcome & I am a UCC'er myself & found liberation from my fundamentalist upbringing. If you have questions or need to talk, feel free to ask or send a message.