Things have been very busy here in Churchland, Tennessee. At the end of September our parish secretary resigned her position (she's still a member and leader of the church, still a good friend). She has returned to college, and I'm so proud of her!
I don't know what made me think, though, that I could do her job and mine, too. Well, part of my reasoning is that we have a new software program that practically writes the whole service leaflet for us. Only a few things need tweaking each week, including the parish prayer list. Despite our supply of the Book of Common Prayer, we now print out our entire service, except for hymns, each week. And I also have a parish helper that comes in and helps me by folding and assembling the leaflet, the monthly newsletter, etc. Yes, it uses a lot of dead trees. But most people, members and guests alike, are finding it much more user-friendly than flipping back and forth in the prayer book. I still use my trusty prayer book, though, as do a few others of us.
That all being said, I've been dancing as fast as I can for four months now, trying to do two jobs, and not doing either one really well. Finally in November I accepted the inevitable and knew we would have to hire another secretary, even though the position is only about 25 hours per month. Finally, last week, we hired one! I can't wait for her to begin! Maybe I'll have some time to think about things like more pastoral calling, clearing my desk of accumulated projects and mail, and organizing my house again. The house looks like it used to back in seminary, at the end of a semester: pure chaos.
The other thing I hope I'll have more time for, is blogging. Facebook is so much easier and quicker, but it simply doesn't demand the kind of thought and reflection that I get to do here. When I write here, I notice more, and I think more about what I notice.
At any rate, here's today's sermon. I hope your Sunday is a true sabbath of rest and peace and happiness.