[Moreta]

First off, this post is not about religion. I respect all religions and even though I'm not religious myself, I don't have a problem with other people's religion.

With that being said, I went to church today for the first time since the beginning of June. It was nice. I ushered today and collected the offering and helped clean up afterwards. It felt good to be needed to do something and volunteering is good for that. I can't work, so I'm trying to get more involved with church. I've joined the finance committee and I count the offering occasionally. I told the volunteer coordinator that I can usher more at the 11:00 service and I emailed her last week and told her if they need help around the office I can help. Mostly stuff like stuffing envelopes or making copies or other small tasks they need done. I love that lady. She's been checking up on me over the summer and hooked me up with a person from the care committee that calls and checks up on me from time to time. The lady from the care committee has MS and is in a wheelchair and just has limited mobility in her left hand. She also has bipolar. We talk about bipolar and she likes to hear about my arts and crafts projects because she used to be an art teacher.

Anyways, I had been hesitant to go to church because I couldn't really pay on my pledge and I thought people would judge me for not being able to pay. I have no idea why this thought came into my head but I obsessed over it for most of the summer since I lost my job. I mean seriously I highly doubt they would kick me out of church because I didn't make my pledge. Plus it turns out that I only have $70 left of my pledge for the year.

I also like church because it gives me a sense of belonging to a community. I go to a really liberal church and it's nice to be around like minded individuals. When I hurt my back earlier this year people sent me cards and brought me food since I couldn't cook.

Sorry I'm rambling.

Do any of you feel better after volunteering? I know it's not the same as working and I have to be careful with the amount of time spent doing it right now cause I don't want to have a meltdown from over extending myself, but it does make me feel good.

[HALLIEBETH87]

I also volunteer in church when I feel up to it.

I feel that when people are judging me, I'm actually judging myself. Go to church. If they judge you, then it's not the right church.

I work full time, but my greatest pleasures in life come from the volunteer work I do with my church and the symphony. Those are the activities that feed my soul. Those are the places I build my strongest supportive relationships.

[Mountainbard]

What a great way to spend your birthday mo! I always feel better when I do some volunteering. I need to do more.

I volunteered heavily for almost 20 years. It helped at times, but hindered at others when i got higher up. I would have had more satisfaction if i was paid and had something to show for it. No sense of achievement or anything like that- and without me they didnt run

[BipolaRNurse]

I volunteer once a month to do the Scripture readings at Mass. I love doing it, but that's about all I can handle as far as obligations go. One day soon I hope to be able to do more, but I'm always afraid people are going to expect things from me that I can't give when I'm unwell. I don't want to be locked into a schedule and then be unable to keep it up.

[Homeira]

I don't work, and therefore I need something useful to do with my time. That is why I do volunteer-work. When I am well enough to do it, that is
It gets me out of the house, gives me a chance to see other people, and to socialize. For the most part I don't talk about my illness, at most I say that I have a cronic illness. It hardly ever is an issue though. Good to be in a setting where MI, is of no importance!
And I get to be around others who care about the same issues as me, which is great.
However, I make sure that I don't take on more responsibility than I can handle, just do what I can. Like help sort clothes that people have donated, help bake and cook for fundraisers and cake-sales etc, and just go and make myself useful in other ways in a project or event.
But I do have to be careful to stay a bit in the background, because if I get too involved, it will make me hypomanic...

[cashart10]

I find in my faith it is important for me to go to church regularly and because of the school my daughter attends, regular church attendance is an obligation. Despite both of these things, I rarely even go. I am usually too unwell. Before my breakdown a few years ago, I was active in both church and my Bible study, baking and participating in various outreach programs and tithing.

I don't know how to consistently find my way back.

I find it commendable for you to be involved in Church and volunteering despite your illness. Not only should the volunteering make you feel good about yourself but the fact that you are able to overcome such an obstacle and do it is moving and commendable!

[Moreta]

Of course they ask me to volunteer tomorrow when I have therapy and have to tutor my friend. lol. I need to make some money though, or we're not going to be able to eat this week, so I think that's a bit more important. The coordinator said someone is going to get in touch with me about helping with all the annual fund drive paperwork though.