I had no family in the faith, so I never had to deal with that issue. I have managed to maintain some of the friendships from the UPC, although I do not see most of them as often as I used to. One gal works at the store where I moonlight, so I do take some breaks with her and we talk as we always have. Some of the others act the same towards me when I see them, but I don't do much socializing with any of them anymore. I work 2 jobs so don't have a lot of free time for socializing with any of my friends, UPC or non-UPC.

I will admit that I think it is normal for friendships to not be as close once you leave a church, but for me that has been the same story with some previous churches as well. If you remember, I attended an Evangelical Free Church before I ever started attending the UPC. Most of the attendees/members were married with children and VERY Republican. I was this more liberal, single and career-minded woman who had goals other than marrying and having kids. The longer I was there, the more I realized how I did not fit "their" mold of Christianity either. In some ways, I felt more accepted at the UPC than I did at the E-Free Church, but maybe for different reasons.

I felt my singleness with no kids was less accepted at the E-Free Church. Also, to give the UPC some credit, they were well aware of my more liberal beliefs in general. We had some good discussions and I never felt persecuted or like I wasn't a good Christian because we differed on some things. I had a "friend" from the E-Free Church insinuate that she was a better Christian than me because she voted Republican. This was at a lunch we had long after I had left the E-Free Church. That was a real eye-opener. Haven't spent much time with her since then. :0

I sometimes still miss my UPC family and the regular contact I had with them through church meetings and get-togethers. If it hadn't been for the "tongues" issue, I'm quite sure I would still be attending there. Sometimes that still makes me sad.