Church of Christ, from my experience is way out there.

I went to a service once, I was some place and these people came up and introduced themselves and gave me a card with the church name and I figured I'd go.

The longest church service EVER. There was no music. I asked about this, and was told that there's no mention of music in the New Testament so no music. I asked well, there's lots of mention of music in the Old Testament but the answer was some thing along the lines of we follow the New Testatment.

And the service? An entire service on how being fat is a sin against God. It's a sin because your body is a temple and an extension of God (since we are made in His image) and that being fat is desecrating that and tarnishing God. Being fat is continually sinning so unless you get thin you are risking your chances in Heaven even if you are saved. Because you are supposed to stop sinning to really get in Heaven.

The preacher mentioned one woman in particular that he was "consueling' and talked about how they were working together so she could be skinny and right with God.

I was cornered as I left by the person who gave me the card and when she gushed about the sermon all I could do was clench my teeth and say it was interesting. And ask about the no music to deflect any further questions and then get out.

Not too long after that there was a write up in the paper about how Church of Christ is seen as cult like by some people and how it cuts members off from their families etc.

Oh dear, askye. That just brings the two conversations together!

I didn't really mean to tie them together but that was the only sermon I went to.

I've mostly been to church weddings, and mostly Southern Baptist weddings, which are on the conservative side, but the receptions have been off church grounds which means music and dancing.

I've been to several Jewish weddings, and one Mormon wedding reception. Couldn't go to the actual Mormon wedding, since I'm not Mormon.

Veering away from craxy churches and fat is bad sermons to ping Erin and say that Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day is indeed, HUGE fun and I adored it and I want to make Lee Pace my new woobie.

I know, I know... get in line. But... he sings!

The rice pie is done! I feel very accomplished and like my grandmother would be proud of me for baking some of the traditional recipes.

Church of Christ, from my experience is way out there.

Not to be confused with United Church of Christ which is quite lefty.

Hil, maybe rice noodles or those tofu noodles? We're eating rice as a gesture of Ashkenazi-Sephardic unity and also because it is easier, but even if you aren't those tofu-based noodles taste pretty good.

Still requires grocery shopping, I suppose, but gets you pasta.

I've seen the tofu noodles, but been kind of skeptical. I might give them a try -- thanks for reminding me of them.

I have some in my fridge but haven't tried them yet.