Church and Annual Meeting

We are sitting under a wet blanket of fog.  Haven't see the sun for several days, there have been sightings, occasionally during the day and up in the hills . Our Priest came down from the hills where he lives landing right smack dab in fog (his words, a wet blanket of wool), apparently it is sunny up in the hills. Ha! This is what you get when you live and work in the valley, fog, fog and more fog. Wet, drippy, gray days. To chase away the fog on this Sabbath day, I pulled out my winter white skirt, pink glitter Parisian shirt, & a silver satin scarf adding some razzle dazzle around my neck

Many people think Liturgical services are boring and I at one time thought the same. At St. Clements always something new to learn, something insightful, something meaningful, something humorous, or a glitch.  Never have I been bored at St. Clements. And before you have a chance to get bored, the church season changes and slight changes are made to the Liturgical service according to the season.

Today for example was all of the above. First off, the colors of the Sanctuary have changed from white to green. It's the second Sunday after the Epiphany, that must have something to do with it.
There must be a book out, Episcopal for Dummies. What I don't know, I ask or google or do neither.
Always a glitch here or there, last week the scripture reading was cut off, the Lector borrowed the Deacons copy. Today's glitch, just has Mrs. Organist began belting out the Gospel hymn, the organ pooped out and quit working. Some fussing around and finally she moved to the keyboard.

"Play it again Sam." said the Priest, followed by two hands raised in the air giving a double thumbs by up Mrs. Organist.

Service was back on. Gospel hymn sung, gospel reading completed and a fine sermon. With humor (always humor), a quip, or a story and always meaning and insight by Fr. Dr. Dave (the guy's a Psychologist) so you can expect references both Biblical and from the Psychologist world. More than likely he is analyzing us all as well. And with such tiny church, that's easy to do, we all sit in bird-eyes view of one another.

I failed to mention today we had one service and the annual parish meeting. The 8 O' Clock folks got to sleep in and stay longer and us 10 O' Clock folks had to roll out of the house one hour earlier. Husband ushered today with Mr. Head Usher. Now when a 8 AM usher and a 10 AM join together in ushering there are sometimes glitches. 8 AM is more formal and does not have a choir. This makes a difference during Communion, Mr. Head Usher, who has been ushering every Sunday for years, did not realize this. He used to go to 10 A.M. Eucharist but many years ago he was asked to usher at the 8 A.M. and has been there ever since ushering faithfully away at the early service. I bet he could use a day off.

Service ended and we all made a beeline for the fellowship hall. Tables laden with donuts, monkey bread, fudge, fruit, juice, Swedish meatballs and a couple of casseroles. A coffee mug went crashing to the floor and cold kept coming in from the door opening and closing. Hearts and conversations warm and inviting.  Now we had been instructed during announcements by the Priest to eat, don't go anyway and return the Sanctuary for the annual meeting.  We did so, following instructions we good at and besides a football game was on this afternoon (I didn't care but there are those who do including husband).  We all ambled back in, some with coffee mugs in hands....a first. I have never seen a coffee mug in this church.  Meeting open with "The Lord be with You" and the responding, "and also with you." and prayer. Vestry and conference delegates nominations were the first order of business after the motion to accept the agenda. As far as business meetings go, it was the usual first motion, second motions and all in favor vote. Nothing new there.

The nominations of the 6 Vestry, motions and passed. My husband being one of the nominees and voted in.  It is unusual to have 6 going off. To ensure this does not happen again, the new Vestry will be assigned either 1, 2 or 3 years.

Here is the kicker, my husband does not like Retreats. Absolutely does not like them. PERIOD. And does not like to drive. So what & where is the first Vestry meeting? A one day planning Retreat an hour from home...hahaha. This almost stopped him from doing the Vestry. At the retreat, terms, positions and committees will be assigned.  He is carpooling with two of the other new Vestry members. Mrs. PQ (who makes the best meatballs) and Ms. D who late brother apparently looks like my husband.

Speaking of meatballs, Mrs. Lay Coordinator-Coffee Hour Coordinator-Acolyte gave verbal thanks to all who brought food for today's meal. She finished, sat down and in perfect Mrs. PQ fashion and timing announced..."I brought the meatballs."

Laughter, lots of laughter.

Always, always humor.

Fast meeting, most with reports just respectfully submit them in the knowledge we all know how to read. A few more thanks and treasurer report who only did graphs and eliminated the excel sheets since nobody reads them. Almost nobody, Mr. Cantor, he was looking the one person looking for the spreadsheets.

Motion to closed, carried and passed. Meeting adjourned....but not quite.

Mr. Treasurer girlfriend surprised him with a light birthday cake and a rousing Happy Birthday from us all.  Fire alarms did not go off folks.

Meeting adjourned back to the fellowship hall for cake and a five minute meeting of the new Vestry, something about paperwork.  A three page Psychological questionnaire. Since we know nothing about the Episcopal Church I asked husband about this (making sure you all are fit to serve?). It's something the Priest does, I'm guessing to see where people will fit the best. Anyway, he said take it home and bring back today or tomorrow.   He filled that baby out in less than 10 minutes. After all football game was on this afternoon. Questionnaires are another things he dislikes....hahaha.

Never a dull moment, always something to learn, to gain and reflect upon. Always humor, laughter and blessings (including dogs) given.  An occasional glitch, late comers, and aromas from kitchen. Private prayers and corporate prayers. Prayers lifted to heaven and thanksgiving mouthed. Lessons to be heard. Ancient words of Eucharist.  Bread placed in hand, dipped into wine. All this and more abound every week at St. Clements, the little church on the corner.

LynetteJoy