And then we were all in one place

by chuckofish

spiritumsanctam

Sunday was Pentecost, and coincidentally, Grace Church officially merged with another parish, so it was an extra big deal for all concerned. However, when I got to church, some new person was sitting in “my pew” (!) so I had to look around for another place to sit. You see how it is.

I moved down the row and sat with my old friend Ron, an 80-year old African-American retired Army Colonel. It was a good choice as we happily made barbed comments throughout the overly-long 2-hour service which included four baptisms–in Ron’s words, “The worst logistical hash-up” of the year–and a brass quartet which intruded on our post-communion prayer time–“so much for our moment of quiet contemplation.” Ron and I were, of course, the only members on our knees in prayer, because for some unknown reason which neither of us understands, kneeling has been phased out of our liturgy. When I asked Ron after the service if he knew why that was, he did not, but commented that “in that other church, they have a Pope who decides those things.” We were on the same page for sure.

Although the choir was off-key most of the time and the brass quartet hit some really sour notes, it was a happy and welcoming occasion. But enough already–I skipped the church picnic afterwards and came home to water my plants and finish up my DIY bathroom project.

Somehow I convinced my old man to take me down to Ted Drewes for some frozen goodness.

paul

It is already in the “hot and humid” range here in flyover land and I refuse to turn on the airco before June, so frozen custard it is.

How was your weekend?