My first worship with my new flock and the first time of meeting most of them. What lovely people – some a little shy, hanging back a bit; some coming forward to be helpful; some anxious to talk about themselves and their families. And our first taste of that wonderful country hospitality! After the worship service, they spread out an amazing banquet lunch, on a table in front of the altar: good thick ‘Church Lady Sandwiches’ (no skimpy filling here), 2 kinds of potato salad, coleslaw, and plates and plates of tempting squares and cookies. How does one ever taste them all? – and one really should, in order not to insult anyone! People might be watching: “I think the new minister likes chocolate – I saw her take 2 of Betty’s* chocolate squares.” “She had one of Marge’s squares with the pink icing, but she never even looked at my famous cherry ones.” “I guess she’s a tea drinker.” “That Jim, he always monopolizes people – I never even got a chance to talk to her.” Someday I’ll have to learn each person’s specialty and make sure I spread the praise around.
And then they brought out a cake! They wouldn’t let us cut it cause “everyone’s already full”, but we brought it home to nibble on all week long. For people who only ‘have Communion’ 3 times a year, they certainly know how to break bread together!
* names have been changed to protect the innocent!
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