Sunday, blessed Sunday

This morning my manager from work called to say that, since we had a dusting of snow last night, the golf course would be closed. Which, in layman terms, means I don't go to work.

The good part of that was that I had plenty of time to get myself ready for church. Today is the first Sunday of Lent, and I'm happy I didn't have to miss it. And, even I'm amazed, I was early!

I found my seat and waited for the processional of the Priest, Deacon and alter kids. No longer can the term alter boy be used as there are just as many girls as boys, if not more.

My church is brand new: they completed a large renovation, expansion project last spring which allows for up to 800 people to be in attendance at one time - and seated. Today something else must have been going on in Nashville at 11:00 because there were plenty of seats available.

I'm not that thrilled with some of the decorating decisions in the church, but they didn't ask my opinion. Along the top of the walls, in a teal colored border, are different scriptures written out in large white letters. I'm not a fan of that decision, I think it looks cheap. Finally though, the masking tape numbers have been removed from the floor around the alter where we go to receive communion. Yes, they had to put numbers so people would know where to stand! Sometimes it would amuse me when I would go up for communion. In my mind I was praying I'd be standing on the lucky number! "Number 5...if you're standing on number 5 you are today's winner!" But alas, they never called numbers. I did notice blue taped arrows today. Apparently there is still some confusion about where to go.

There's something else that bugs me about my hour at St. Stephens. I swear there is a revolving door that leads from the large foyer into the Sanctuary. People are up and down, in the door, out the door. You hear the tapping of heals on the polished concrete floors. I've never been in a church where people just moved around so freely. I've also seen people come in with bottles of water and bags of snacks! Today, the woman who sat in the pew across from me, opened her shirt and fed her baby while the two women next to me chose Mass as their social hour and chatted away.

I guess my church has a very informal way of getting its point across. And, in the spirit of the moment - I guess none of the things I mentioned matter. The people are there and that's what counts.

For the first time in the three and a half years I've been attending this church, I decided to stop in the social room for coffee and donuts. I passed on the donuts because I knew I was having a Milky Way as soon as I got home. Most people don't know that I'm uncomfortable in large crowds, which is why I've never stayed after Mass.

But today! A new beginning! Geesh, I was uncomfortable. But I smiled, said hello to people and watched them look past me like I wasn't even there.

I dumped my coffee in the trash and left. After a quick stop at the grocery store for a few things I went home.

My Milky Way did not let me down.