Posted by giveawayboy on March 18, 2003 at 23:53:44:
In Reply to: Why Parallel Universe? posted by giveawayboy on March 18, 2003 at 09:53:50:
Well, for me it all started w a guy named Robert Colon. He invited me to see Mortal who I loved. So, I came and they announced that they would be doing a live interview at the church (then Refuge Ministries of Tampa) I think, soon to be Crossover Refuge Ministries Inc. Still, I was compelled to come here Mortal do their interview and well, I just knew that I had a burden for this church. To be honest, it had little to do with Pastor Steve and Cari. It had more to do with the whole chemistry of the group. Infact, I didn't even know Steve or Cari that well at the time, having only met them one other time. Little did I know that in a matter of less than a year I would be moving in with them. I attended services at Crossover Refuge for awhile and my life soon began to become meshed with the lives of those who I met there.
Soon, I was living in Atlanta and writing for WONDER magazine, considering becoming Anglican or Orthodox, and making new friends in Georgia, but my heart was back in Tampa. 7 months later I was living w Steve and Cari. Steve lovingly drove me to work everyday (he had other things he could have done) He didn't complain. Steve was a true friend. Cari was my partner in crime when it came to late night runs to the Chinese drive-thru. Once I told her I thought the girl there was cute and Cari told the girl. I was real embarrassed. Jonvon lived w us too. Those were magical days. We moved to Lutz, to the house that Parallel Universe meets in now. I lived in Lofthaven, a floating city above Lutz and just up the stairs from the Meigs' dining room, the same dining room that we used to play Pixies songs in and the same one that where Tadao and some others posed for some real fine halloween pics.
Now that I was back in Tampa, my desire to join the Orthodox church had morphed into a consideration of Catholicism. It was so funny that the whole time I was questioning this I remained vitally entwined in this fellowship, which still is my main support. I'm not always faithful in my life as a Catholic, but this fellowship has always respected me in my choice, and I have never felt a real conflict of interest attending both churches. The point I'm trying to make is that I don't divide one from the other. Both the Catholic experience and my experience w Parallel Universe seem to be two sides of the same unusually wonderful coin. I don't see them competing. I just wanted to bring this up to show that this fellowship is very real and like a family to me.
My roommates for the last several years have all been either from this church or people who I met through connections from here, w the exception of Chris Ross, well, indirectly I'd have to say he was connected too, but that's a long story involving Lisa Sizemore and some others. I have been lucky to live with Steve, Cari, Jonvon, Tim Ogden, Bob the Alien (through Jonvon) and Marcos. All of these people were wonderful roommates and I could live w any of them again. I have been very happy with all of my roommates.
I want to say that there is something about certain people w staying power that proves to me there is a such thing as bonds that can survive changes in our lives. I'd like to use Jason Daniels as an example here. Jason is someone who I have had some connection to over the years. No matter what changes he or I have gone through we are both still at it. Still friends. Still enthusiastic. I can say that Steve and I have chosen friendship actively. It isn't just passive. Also, we haven't always been super close, even when I lived w him, but we have been present to each other and committed and therefore, things work for us. Lately I have enjoyed getting to know him more. Still, we aren't friends to this day because of proximity. There is will involved.
Overall, one of the biggest things that kept me here was the way this church gave me support during a tough and confusing year of my life. Im sure I will always be somewhat confused and befuddled, but I know I have a supportive community who will go through that with me. This was brought home to me when so many of you came to my art show and supported me visibly. This was a real testimony of friendship and one that I will not forget.
I won't say much more here, but I could, what with Matt's trip to Atlanta w me, and all the folks we know who have not been around. I could go for hours.
The main thing is that it's the people who have always held me. It is the people that I am here for.
With love, Bill