I'm so sad to say this about a church, especially ...

I'm so sad to say this about a church, especially one so beautiful and grand, but my husband and I attended only a few months before we just had a feeling the church only wanted our money. Literally every interaction - be it mail or email, was always asking us to give. Even when we received our membership email - we were asked (if we were already giving) could we give MORE?

We were living on one meager income (mine, husband was unemployed due to pandemic), and it was devastating to feel unwelcome unless we could give lots of money. It didn't feel like a church that welcomed the poor like us.

One sermon even extrapolated that the parable of the unjust judge was a parable about giving money. I'm an M.Div and a seminary graduate, and in my own studies, in the multitudes of commentaries I've used, not one ever came to such a conclusion. That preacher stretched Scripture, the Holy Word of God, in the name of getting more money.

I even attended lessons and carols, only to receive an email after asking, of course, to give.

I understand tithing is important, and I understand the need to ask, but when it's ALL I see and hear, it makes me wonder why.

Especially when it proudly gives honor to the powerful and wealthy: like mayors and CEO's as Scripture readers in lessons and carols with lengthy descriptions in the worship guide (WORSHIP. Guide.) of their accomplishments and power.

It's just left such a bad taste in my mouth and seems to contrary to what a church should really be about.