WWYD? - Church Invite

luckyinlove11902

The mother of a close friend just sent me an email inviting DH and I to church for Easter on Sunday. I've helped her out with floral arrangements (she's a wedding florist) recently and in casual conversation had mentioned that DH and I don't attend church so I'm guessing that's why. She's very religious and I know that she's just trying to encourage us to start attending as it's a big part of her religion to spread their beliefs, but I don't know how to respond.

Our current plans are to get up that morning, look for eggs (yes, I know, I'm 26...I don't care) and then make Easter dinner for my mom. Should I just tell her that we already have family plans but thank you for the invite, or should I tell her that while we appreciate the thought, that we intentionally don't attend church (in a more tactful way)? DH and I are both agnostic, but even if we were going to attend church, it most likely wouldn't be hers. I'm afraid if I just use the family excuse that she'll invite us again in the future and that I'll have to make up another excuse, but at the same time I don't want to insult her. Any thoughts on how I should handle this?

jodippls

I would go with the explanation that you have family plans for Easter. If she invites you again in the future you can tell her that you don't share the same beliefs.

LXLX

You're way over thinking this IMO. lolOur next door neighbor is a pastor and he came by to invite us to his church's Easter service. I said, "Thanks for thinking of us!" and left it at that. You don't need to RSVP either way. If she keeps asking, just politely say you're not interested but thank you. No need for excuses or explanations about your beliefs.

ClaireDunphy

Oh man. I had a CW that used to invite me to church all.the.time.

I would just politely do what LB suggested & say "Thanks for thinking of us!" You don't owe her an explanation.

luckyinlove11902

Lucille Bluth:

You're way over thinking this IMO. lolOur next door neighbor is a pastor and he came by to invite us to his church's Easter service. I said, "Thanks for thinking of us!" and left it at that. You don't need to RSVP either way. If she keeps asking, just politely say you're not interested but thank you. No need for excuses or explanations about your beliefs.

Yeah...I guess I just know where this is going. I'm pretty sure it's not going to end at the one invite so I was considering a preemptive strike. I'm just going to tell her we already have plans (since we do) and thank her for inviting us. If it comes up again, I'll deal with it from there. 

LXLX

You think she'd keep pestering you? I've been brushing off church invites for about seven years and people have always backed off after one or two. Three max. Just seems like common courtesy.

duncanpowers

The thing is, if you explain that you don't attend on purpose, that will open the door for her to counter your explanation. "Oh? Why? You know God loves everyone  blahablahblahblahbalh..." Instead, what you want to do is end the conversation with a statement that doesn't include an excuse or an explanation, like LB's Thanks For Thinking Of Us. And in the future, don't mention that again.

LXLX

duncanpowers:

The thing is, if you explain that you don't attend on purpose, that will open the door for her to counter your explanation. "Oh? Why? You know God loves everyone  blahablahblahblahbalh..." Instead, what you want to do is end the conversation with a statement that doesn't include an excuse or an explanation, like LB's Thanks For Thinking Of Us. And in the future, don't mention that again.

Exactly. Anything further excusing or explaining is opening the door.

ashleemw

ITA with PP's, she'll get the hint. 

luckyinlove11902

I see what you guys are saying. I'll keep it simple and hopefully it won't come up again.

jacmdb

I agree with everyone else. The "theme" for this Easter at my church is to invite someone to service. Maybe it is the same type of thing and she won't ask again.