I've read through all the other posts regarding this and I enjoyed all of the thoughts and ideas given. I would like to share my story and gather opinions. I know that switching wards isn't something to be taken lightly and that you can't just up and move to a new ward because of petty things.
We moved into this ward about 5 years ago. Before that we had been in the same ward for 20+ years. Of course it was a hard move. We intended on moving back into our original ward boundaries within a couple of years, so we wanted to keep going to that ward. We were able to do that for awhile, then they switched our records to our new ward. Eventually we found out that we will be in our new ward boundaries for a longer period of time.
We went to our new ward a few times and then went inactive. Inactive, after years of service with our old ward. We were inactive for about 3 years. Last year we decided that we needed to get back into the church. Our kids are getting older and they need this in their lives, as well as in our home.
We started attending our new ward regularly. There have been a lot of little things happen. I know, that happens in every ward.
We don't feel like we belong. We feel like the other ward members don't feel like we are good enough to be in their midst. They only know us as "inactives" and they don't know how strong we were in the church before that.
Our bishop chastised us at my daughters baptism in front of our entire extended family and friends. He really embarrassed us and I was so close to walking out of the baptism. Everyone was kind of just looking around not knowing what to say. It was completely inappropriate.
We had a new baby, and didn't receive any calls, visits or meals from anyone in the ward. Our neighbor had a baby and she received a weeks worth of meals. The RS presidency told me she tried to call but we weren't here. I know this isn't true. We were here, we have caller id and an answering machine as well.
We haven't received any callings, until recently I was asked to be on the enrichment committee.
I feel like we've gotten the cold shoulder. I don't have any family here at all and I really want to lean on my ward. I want to be involved and to make them my family.
There have been rumors spread about us, that simply aren't true.
We are losing the spirit in our home. We dread going to church. We come home from church and I am sometimes in tears because I feel like such an outsider.
We have a very gossipy ward. Everyone hates everyone and everyone has a problem with someone. I feel like the ward is very hypocritical and negative.
We don't have home teachers or visiting teachers that come regularly.
I miss that "constant" that the church brings. I miss going to church and coming home and feeling spiritually fed.
I feel like we really need to be in a ward that is a more positive experience. We have struggled with our marriage over the past couple of years and I'm craving the spirit. I feel we really need it in our marriage right now, and we aren't getting it from our current ward.
We have prayed about this. I can't say that we've received an answer. But we've continued to go to church and to try and fit in. I feel like we are changing ourselves so that we can fit in to what they want.
The bishop of our old ward has told us we are always welcome to come to that ward. However, I want to hold a calling and to serve. I want to have home teachers and visiting teachers. I want to feel involved in our ward.
{on a side note, the ward we are currently in has quite a few members that have gone inactive because of the way they've been treated here}
I'm at a loss. We dread Sunday's. I don't want it to be like that anymore. I don't know what to do.
