Community

[slavereeno]

Sorry folks, for doing the drive by thing again. Amidst all the turmoil of this pandemic, I have found myself needing to find new employment, so I've had little room in my head for being here.

DW is now having some doubts about the church. She has always been a very social person, she needs a lot more connection to others than I do. She has been a stay at home mom for the past 24 years or so. She has volunteered with the kids school and with community theater/music here and there, but the vast majority of her social outlet is the church.

My question is: How can I help her find new meaning and community? The church for all of its failings (in my mind anyway) does an excellent job of placing you into a turn key community wherever you go. Its the McDonald's of human connection.

It seems to me somebody posted a website that is designed to help people connect to others based on interest, but I can't seem to find that post. Does anybody know what that is off the top of their head?

[Hagoth]

Sounds like Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/

I have found a community with these people: https://www.saltlakeoasis.org/

The current apocalypse is making community pretty difficult to find and develop.

[slavereeno]

Sounds like Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/

I have found a community with these people: https://www.saltlakeoasis.org/

The current apocalypse is making community pretty difficult to find and develop.

Thanks Hagoth! This was exactly what I was looking for.

[Thoughtful]

This has been a hurdle for us as well. Had a good chat last night with spouseman about how cultural differences influence our assumptions of how to act. Learning the culture will help us make friends. So that means an ecological study of how people act and how they make friends. In mormonism your friends are granted by visiting teaching lists, calling associations. Neighbors with shared beliefs. Will return to this later when I'm at a keyboard with some thoughts.

[slavereeno]

Thanks, we struggle with how to find community. Just recently met some people in our neighborhood who are going through this as well, so that is a start.

[RubinHighlander]

Sorry folks, for doing the drive by thing again. Amidst all the turmoil of this pandemic, I have found myself needing to find new employment, so I've had little room in my head for being here.

DW is now having some doubts about the church. She has always been a very social person, she needs a lot more connection to others than I do. She has been a stay at home mom for the past 24 years or so. She has volunteered with the kids school and with community theater/music here and there, but the vast majority of her social outlet is the church.

My question is: How can I help her find new meaning and community? The church for all of its failings (in my mind anyway) does an excellent job of placing you into a turn key community wherever you go. Its the McDonald's of human connection.

It seems to me somebody posted a website that is designed to help people connect to others based on interest, but I can't seem to find that post. Does anybody know what that is off the top of their head?

IMO: I'd try to replace all of that with nature. Let's trees, lakes and streams tickle the dopamine center; it's much more rewarding and healthier. People just disappoint.

[NewLight]

Hi Slavereeno,

I rarely post here as I resigned a few years ago, along with my wife. All of my children are out as well. But I recognize the need to support someone when they start questioning. I was "doubting" the church years before my wife and it wasn't until my grown children were leaving and she needed to "rescue" them that she was open to learning more. When she did, the dominoes fell quickly and it sounds like she, like your wife, needed a community of people to help with the process.

We reached out to the community listed in our local area (I live in Tooele County, west of Salt Lake) on https://www.mormonspectrum.org/msip-map-directory . We love our exmo friends and community out here! My wife started the book club for it, there's a women's group and a family group as well. The guys have gotten together several times too. I can't think we are unique - there must be a thriving community for your wife to garner the caring and support she needs and she will find that they are some of the most compassionate folks around.

Good luck with all of this!