I don’t know how much men talk to their barbers or stylists when they go get their hair cut. I do know when women go and get their hair cut, it’s a social event. We talk, we get to know each other, we even come close to finding answers for World Peace sometimes. I went last week and got an impromptu “hairstyling” at JC Penny’s salon in my corner of the world. My hairstylist was Rachel and we set about getting to know each other during the hour or so we “styled” together.
She started off asking me about what kinds of things I do. Guys may not think this sort of thing is important but when a stylist gets to know you it helps them become a better stylist for you. Anyway I told her about working two jobs and being involved with church activities. Her next question out of her mouth was “What church do you go to?” I didn’t shirk back, I told her “Community of Christ, south end of Magnolia in El Cajon”. I told her we were a small group and I would really feel lost in a church with alot of people.
She proceeded to tell me that she grew up Catholic, but after getting married she started going to a church for a while..but when they saw her tattoos she said “my tattoos seemed to not be welcome”. They did or said something to her that caused her to feel uncomfortable with her tattoos. Without naming names I told her about Sean and his tattoo. I told her about a seventy I saw at Congregational Leadership Workshop who was wearing a tank top and I could see her tattoos on her back and arm.
No, I didn’t invite her to church, I know I should have and yet…I tried letting her know in a backwards sort of way that she would be welcome in our congregation and World Church WITH her tattoos. I thought at the time “of all the silly reasons to exclude a person from church” or to cause them to not feel welcome. I guess if the tattoos made the person seem scary maybe, but Rachel seemed relatively harmless.
Jesus went around healing people not just because he was a nice guy. He healed people with leprosy. Why? well people with leprosy couldn’t worship in the Temple or be around The Body of believers. The woman with an issue of blood, the prostitute, the list is endless of the lives he touched. By him healing them, he restored them to community and back into what they understood to be the presence of God.
There’s something about that feeling of being in God’s presence. Have you felt God’s love come over you so strong that you couldn’t help but think “this is how it feels to be in God’s presence”. How can we deny that sacred moment for others?
and not only do I, Sean (a deacon), have the tattoo, so does both of my brothers and my mom (a priest) as well as the son (an elder) and wife (a priest) of my former pastor. plus some others have considered it but are waiting to figure out the right tattoo.
it really is stupid to think that a church would make someone feel uncomfortable coming to church because they had a tattoo. makes you just shake your head. i say next time make a statement of invitation!
I think I know the Seventy. She “lives” acceptance of each person. I told her I was going to prison before anyone in my congregation. She and her husband called my hospital from Maine when they heard about a suicide attempt. She “danced” me into self-acceptance–don’t ask, I can’t explain that one.
Life changing stuff from someone who would not be accepted as a minister most places.
Someone once told me that the outcast was the authentic member of the body of Christ in jesus’ time. We’ve lost touch with that and have become the caster-outers. Good lesson, Patti.
Great Stuff Patti. I agree with Sean about the invitation but think that maybe you were right to hold it back. If you have formed any type of relationship with her as a stylist and go back to her again, that relationship will grow stronger thus affording you the opportunity. It’s really about God’s timing, not ours.
Oh yeah, did I mention that I have two and am thinking about adding a third and building more on one of the others.
I think about getting one that’s got a butterfly and maybe a flame..to suggest being transformed by God’s Spirit. I see the butterfly as a symbol of transformation and the flame as a symbol of God’s Spirit.
Patti, I loved your tattoos story. You are a great writer! Sorry I didn’t stop in sooner. I have been busy this week. I don’t have any tattoos, but I have nothing against them. I am just afraid of needles!