Joseph Onesta
My name is Joseph Onesta. I am an ordained minister of the gospel. I do not take an income from the church or this ministry. I just a brother hear to help.
I started The Torn Veil to be a kind of voice and an outlet for Christians who are more open-minded, free to wonder and to question and willing to tolerate the differences between us. We are all on a journey and the journey is far more pleasant when shared.
A group of us meet several times a month in the greater Pittsburgh area. We sit and chat over coffee at shops around the city and twice a month, we gather in someone’s home for a simple, pot-luck meal and fellowship. Simple Supper is the place where you are free to be just who your are without fear of reprisal or “correction.” If you are interested in joining us for Simple Supper fellowship or one of our coffee talks, consider joining the meetup group, “Pittsburgh Open-Minded Christians,” or simple send me a note using the email link below and I’ll add you to the mailing list so you know the dates and the times.
Often we have difficulty reconciling our experience with the things we have been taught about God, Jesus and what it means to be a Christian. It is my hope and prayer that we learn to live in the unconditional love and blessing of God. Please feel free to contact me via the blog or through email should you wish to bat around ideas and questions. That’s what I’m here for.
Hi Joseph…When you fight your body at every turn, it’s so freeing to know that there is no longer a separation that requires us to be at a certain place at a certain time to worship and talk to God. I’m glad for the Torn Veil. At least we can compare notes, even if not face to face.
My anemia continues to be my challenge, just the rock in my road, as I journey onward. It kind of shuts down my “social life” but not my ability to be social.It just is,my constant hope is to be able to meet up at a “meet-up” soon…Grace, J
Thanks for the feedback. We’ll keep you in our prayers. I am looking forward to the day we meet in person.
Joseph
Hello Joseph, I finally found your site. I read some of your newest post and will read the it in full later. However, most people (myself included) must realize to not be so prideful to think thier sins are not too great to be forgiven by God. In the eyes of God one sin, stealing some gum, is no worse then the other (killing someone in cold blood). God can forgive and forget. So if we should walk with God then we Should forgive and forget others and Esp> yourself. I hope to hear from you soon. God bless and good day.
Hello … Ive just found you through another online group. Couldnt have come at a better time . so refreshing, loving, freeing and real. Thankyou for being here
Welcome, welcome, welcome. I am so pleased you’ve found us. Thank you so much for your words of encouragement. Please feel free to comment and participate. As far as my thoughts go, I welcome all comments whether you agree or disagree or want to question or challenge or echo.
Joseph
Interesting.
How big is your “Membership”.
Do they meet? Or is it a virtual membership?
What does being a member allow the member to do if they were not a member?
We are new. The physical meeting group has had only a few meetings so far and has always been under 10. The virtual community is considerably larger. My goal is not to remove people from their current churches but to provide an arena for the more open-minded to share their thoghts, questions and doubts. I continue to seek a congregation where I can attend and fellowship because while one may be a leader in some contexts, it’s healthy to not always be in that position. As for our community, being a member means you are on the list, if there is an announcement or a special event, you are in the loop. Whether one decides or is able to attend physical meetings isn’t important. I do not take financial renumeration from the group. We don’t even have a mechanism to do that. We don’t have a plate to pass and there are no links to donate to our organization. I make my living by working. I do some speaking and consulting on the side but mostly I work as a corporate trainer.
would love to follow this blog, Joe!