The honorary Jews get a dradle. Once you convert, you trade it in for a dreidel.
I have a little dreidel,
I made it out of clay.
And when it’s dry and ready,
My dreidel I shall play.
Dreidel, dreidel, dreidel,
etc.
A friend of mine at work seriously suggested we visit her church, and that she visit “ours”. Apparently it is a Southern social…thingie of which I was unaware despite being a native.
What
Do you think I am made of vowels or sumptin?
This, in my opinion, was your first mistake.
dreidel
:smack:
Yup. That’s our position.
On a more serious note, way back when, a Jewish friend of mine asked me to attend a Passover feast with her. It was awesome. Growing up in a New Testament kind of church, I really didn’t think too much about the travails that were endured during the period of slavery in Egypt. That was a life-changing event for me, to be honest.
I think the lady was trying to share with you the best way she knew how. Maybe she needs to do a little research on other religions, but I believe she meant well.
As a convert, I answered a question at the Temple about the Southern Baptists deciding to recruit Jews; “It’s What they do.” They just stared at me. 
Sadly, it’s true, and one of the things I disagree with about the SBC. I have problems with trying to convert someone who already has a religion: and I had real problems with them accusing Mormons of not being Christian. That’s for God to judge, not the SBC.
I can understand it if they truly believe that you will rot in hell if you don’t know Jesus. I think it’s silly, and as you said, a matter for G-d, but having been a Christian, I understand it. It is odious, but I understand it. To some Jews including Mrs. Plant that may be like saying that I understand why the Crusaders looted and burned synagogues to finance their efforts.
It’s Mark, it’s Greek (there are only a few words of Aramaic in the NT. It was all written in Greek) and the exact phrase is PASH TH KTISEI - “to every created thing,” or alternatively, “to all creation.” KTSIS means "created thing. It has no meaning of a human as distingusihed from animals. It can actually mean “building,” though.
PAS KTISIS – “every created thing.” pretty much means what it looks like. “All creation” is a perfectly suitable translation.
I don’t get why saying that trying to evangelize is required by their religion excuses anything. If it’s required by my religion to piss on other people’s shoes, and I sincerely think I’ll go to hell (or you will) if I don’t piss on your shoes, that doesn’t mean I should be excused for pissing on your shoes, or that it isn’t rude.
I don’t care if proselytization is part of your religion. That’s not my problem. Stop pissing on my shoes.
You should have definitely gone. Found out what they were serving for food after service. Don’t know if you keep Kosher but sampling never sent anyone to heck (you can eat anything in an emergency - when I’m hungry, that qualifies). I’d get invited to all kinds of church stuff out in Oklahoma a few years back (devout atheist here); well fed, no cooking/cleanup, recipes. Wasn’t too difficult - also real hard of hearing.
Talk about making assumptions! You are assuming that all Christians believe that salvation lies only in Christ. You are mistaken.
Christianity has not traditionally portrayed the “Jewish nation” as “Christ killers.” The Romans were responsible for the Crucifixion. I’ve been a Christian for 56 years and I’ve never been taught that the “Second Coming” would not take place until the ‘Conversion of the Jews.’ I am unfamiliar with what denominations teach that doctrine. I have heard that some fundamentalists do, but that is recent news to me.
The old lady did not witness to you or try to convert you. She invited you to church. One of my friends is attending some Hindu ceremonies this weekend. I have been to Ba’hai Meetings and have tried without success to find someone to accompnay me to the Buddhist temple, a synagogue and to a mosque (if women are allowed). We don’t break out in hives and a cold sweat if someone asks us to their place of worship.
The UCC is about bringing people together to work for social justice (among other things). It is the denomination that the President of the United States belongs to. (No, they don’t all have ministers that are into their own agendas like the Rev. Wright.)
I am not a member of this denomination (or non-denomination), but I’ve been thinking of looking into it.
Just FTR, the phrases “Church of Christ” and “United Church of Christ” are not synonymous. The United Church of Christ is, as others have said, a mostly very liberal mainline denomination (though I’ve met very conservative UCCers, including at least one pastor). “Church of Christ” is a biblical phrase used by lots of local church congregations, especially those associated with a movement of mostly fundamentalist churches. The two seem to be more-or-less regionally exclusive, with the UCC mostly found in the northeast and large cities and the Churches of Christ mostly found in the rural south, IME. Also IME, a Southern Baptist who is conservative enough to want to convert a Jewish family and knowledgeable enough about the UCC to know that they would be more comfortable there than at a Southern Baptist church would most likely not consider the UCC a “real” Christian church. Also, the UCC would not be correctly described as non-denominational, since it is the name of a denomination. I strongly suspect that this woman was recommending a fundamentalist or independent “non-denominational” congregation and is either pig-ignorant about the meaning of “Jew” or knows at least one Messianic Jew (who tend to be fundamentalist IME) who attends there.
Here and I thought the only differance was Jews won’t eat bacon for breakfast and they wear them funny hats.
Hey, I think they aresharp. 
Alan is almost certainly correct. From their web site, here are their mission statements:
*MISSION
The First Church of Christ exists to glorify God by leading people to know, worship and serve Jesus Christ.
VISION
Creating a community where people are accepted, loved, and motivated to live by the grace of God.
GRACE
Creating a congregation devoted to reaching families and people groups with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
OUTREACH
Creating a community of believers that minister to the needs of people, through a spirit of love and compassion.
MINISTRY
F.I.R.ST. VALUES
Value #1: Follow the Word
We believe God’s Word is the only authority for truth, life, belief and behavior for the Church. (2 Timothy. 3:16-17, Luke 21:33).
Value #2: Initiate Community
We believe life change takes place in the context of community. People and homes function best when they are part of a healthy community. Every follower of Christ is part of larger community. (Ephesians 4, Romans 12).
Value #3: Reach Your World for Christ
We believe the Bible teaches that every believer is commanded to go into the world and use their influence to reach others for Christ. (Acts 1:8, Matthew 28: 19,20).
Value #4: Strive for Excellence
We believe that God is the giver of our gifts and the creator of the world. We seek to honor Him by maintaining a high standard of excellence in our ministries. (Colossians 3:17, Proverbs 27:17).
Value #5: Transform Lives
We believe God’s desire is for lives to be changed. Life change is a process. The best place for life-long discipleship and the application of biblical truth is in the home and in small groups. (Luke 6:12-13, Acts 2:44-47).*
Anyone still think they have practicing Jews there???
No, she was not inviting me as a one time thing. She was trying to get me to go to services there regularly. There’s a BIG difference.
I think evangelism is - if anything - more like asking if they can piss in your shoes. Of course that might still be inconvenient or annoying, but you can decline it.