Spencer came up for the children’s time with a clipboard. I wondered if he was taking notes or going to read the meter. Instead, he handed me a note that said “I like you” and included his phone number at the bottom. Spencer is 6. After the service, he was sure to point out his phone number should I want to call him on Saturday or some other day. Then he gives this great smile and raises and lowers his eyebrows a couple of times for full effect.
Marge came up for communion in her wheelchair – this threw me. We usually take communion to her. The way she sits and then the way she held her cup for wine also threw me. I use the pouring chalice which, at times, can be an exciting addition to someone’s communion experience. I’ve gotten it so close to the top of the little glass that we almost applauded when the person got it to their lips without spilling!
Today? I spilled wine on Marge. I filled her cup, not even all the way, and then I don’t know if she moved or if I moved, but a good “blurp” of wine landed on her. She assured me that it didn’t matter, and if you knew her, you’d believe her too. (Early on in my time here, I asked her how she was doing on her way out of church. She responded “Oh fine. Fine.” And then she looked at me and said “I’m lying like hell!”)
I love hearing the responses people give during communion, after they have received the bread or the wine. There are more “thank yous” than you might imagine, along with “Amen” and “thanks be to God.” This morning, one of the teenagers said, in that teenager-gutteral-language “yuah.” Say it with a lot of breath, and you get the idea.
As I got in my truck to head home, I laughed out loud when the cd I was listening to on the way to church kicked back on, the singer musing about the possible wine stain on a jacket to a pop-a-licious beat. Maybe I’ll burn a copy for Marge…
