Questing Parson

One Dollar A Day

It had been a good day for the parson. He rose early, dressed, whistled for Charlie Brown, his faithful canine companion, to rise from his bed and get started on the day. The squeak of the front door being opened roused Princess Penny, Charlie Brown's girl friend, from her snoring while reclining on the living room loveseat. Both canines began to prance in anticipation at the door as the parson donned his warm up jacket.

Down the street they went, the dogs sniffing out the trails of whatever creatures had wandered out of the forest the night before. Turning left they headed east toward the abandoned logging road that meandered up the foothill behind the parson's abode. Once at the dirt trail the parson began his trot up the hill and into the forest, trot being a descriptive word as the parson's seven plus decades of life encumbered a once-remembered run. At the top of the hill the parson followed the trail back down the foothill toward his house. Charlie Brown and Princess Penny were not in sight, but experience said they were nearby. Arriving at the house winded and sweaty the parson beheld both canines waiting on the porch, tails wagging.

The parson stripped down in preparation for the shower. He stepped on the scales. Ba-Da-Boom!! Two pounds less than this time last week! He showered and dressed as he sang the Doxology to the tune of Chim Chim Cher-ee. Next stop was the study. There he spent the day, staying on task, until next Sunday's bulletin was almost completed, the sermon almost done, and needed emails answered. He felt good.

The late afternoon and early evening were spent delivering meals to the homebound in the community. Charlie Brown and his sweetheart accompanied him as those they visited delighted in the wagging tails.

Back home, the parson settled down to some entertainment. Powering up the computer he brought up Hulu. A feature caught his eye. “Living On One Dollar” the title read. The parson clicked on it and became entertained, delighted, and disturbed.

The documentary traced the journey of four friends in their twenties headed to rural Pena Blanca, Guatemala, with only a video camera and fifty-six dollars where they lived for fifty-six days. How do 1.1 billion people in the world live on less than one dollar a day? The young friends found out. Their video documentary reveals the hardships, the smiles, the hospitality, the openness, the willingness and desire to learn, the dreams, and the disappointments of these children of God, who despite their poverty, welcome the stranger, share abundantly from their meager portions, and make one wonder how we let the world remain in this condition.

When the program ended, the parson wrote a blog, encouraging everyone to watch the documentary, “Living On One Dollar,” and then encouraging everyone to go to Kiva and help change this situation.

Ups and Downs of Ministry

The parson was out walking late in the afternoon on Easter Sunday. He followed behind Charlie Brown, his faithful canine companion, and Princess Penny, Charlie Brown's girl friend, both of whom pulled the parson along as he held tightly to their leashes.

A car slowed as it passed the parson. The car pulled off the road in front of the trio. The parson watched intently as the driver's door opened. Scott Parrish, a new pastor jumped out.

“Parson, oh, my goodness, I'm glad to see you,” exclaimed Scott as he began to walk back toward the parson and the dogs. “Oh my goodness, look at these dogs. Gracious, their big ones.”

“This is Charlie Brown and his girlfriend Penny,” the parson introduced. Both Charlie Brown and Penny moved toward Scott and began to give him the sniff test. Apparently satisfied that he was a United Methodist, they ambled their way toward the bushes bordering the right-of-way. “What brings you to the neighborhood?” asked the parson.

“I was heading into town to pick up some things for Alice,” said Scott. “What with all the activities of Holy Week we completely ran out of a couple of things.”

“How are things going at the church?” the parson asked. He was familiar with Scott's church, his first pastorate. It was one of those steady churches. They paid their obligations to the denomination without complaint. They supported the pastor to the financial extent required. And, while a congenial congregation, they were evidence of the parson's theory that small churches are small because the choose to be small.

“Oh, gracious,” said Scott with some emotion, “I think we have turned a corner. I mean the church was packed this morning. We just had ever pew filled. I'm sure this is the beginning of something special. I'm just so excited with how things are going ….”

The parson interrupted despite his desire not to throw cold water on the new pastor's excitement. “Scott, it's Easter.”

“I know it's Easter, Parson. But even though it's Easter the attendance this morning is certainly indicative of our church's work over the last months paying off.”

“Scott,” the parson said, “this isn't Sweeps Week at the church.”

“What are you trying to say, Parson?” asked Scott.

“Look, Scott,” the parson continued, “you're doing a wonderful job at that church. But I think I need to warn you to that next Sunday you're going to have a let-down.” Scott started to sepak but the parson held up his hand. “The Sunday after Easter, Scott, is the lowest attended service in the church year. Next Sunday, will be a challenge.”

“You're serious?” asked Scott.

 “I am, Scott, I am. But look the number of people in the pews in no reflection on you. What is a reflection on you is the joyful spirit you're carrying out your ministry. That church is lucky to have you. So next Sunday, when you look out on all those pew backs, don't yo get discouraged. I'll be looking at pew backs, too. And I'll be remembering that when God called me to be a preacher, God didn't mention any specific numbers.”

It Was A Good Day

The last week in the parson's life had been a busy month. With hospital visits, pastoral counseling appointments, and a tornado rearranging the parish, the parson had found the week running him as opposed to the opposite. Something had to be done.

The forest is large, very large. It's much larger than most people imagine. Visitors tend to stay on the hiking paths adjacent to the camping areas. But with 25,000 acres, there's a much larger area to explore. And so, the parson along with Charlie Brown, his faithful canine companion, and Princess Penny, Charlie Brown's live-in girl friend, headed down some forest trails seldom used by many.

The trail meandered down into a deep canyon. The waters that had cut the canyon eons ago cascaded over rocks, slowed in quiet recesses, and flowed again to another precipice over which they jumped. The parson carefully hopped along some stones to gain the far side of the stream without getting either foot wet, despite the pulling of two sixteen foot leashes attached to canines who had no problem with getting wet. It was a good day.

The far side of the stream announced the end of the maintained trail. “Come,” the parson said. Both companions did. The parson released the dogs from their leashes. The bounded off together. The parson followed the semblance of a trail that paralleled the stream down deeper into the valley.

Occasionally, his companions would come and join him for a couple hundred yards of hiking. Then they'd bound off into the forest. Sometimes the parson got the idea they were just checking on him. But both, as if they'd heard the dinner bell, came bounding toward him as he sat down, opened his backpack and pulled out the sandwich that was his lunch.

Charlie Brown and Princess Penny sat cocking their heads from one side to another, about five feet from the parson as he enjoyed the sandwich. He watched them smiling. Both stayed in place until the parson began to back the wrappings from the sandwich into the back pack. At that point Princess Penny stepped forward and licked the parson on his cheek. The parson retrieved two plastic storage dishes from the back pack, opened the covers, and sat them in front of his fellow hikers. It didn't take either as long as the parson to finish lunch.

The parson leaned back on his elbows and looked up toward the rim of the canyon. It was a long way up. About a thousand feet, a thousand steep feet. And that was where he'd parked the car. The parson took a deep breath to prepare for getting up and heading back up the canyon. He paused. What was the rush?

The parson reached into his pocket, retrieved the smartphone, set the timer for forty-five minutes, eased himself over about twelve feet into a patch of sunlight, placed the phone on his chest, and settled back as he closed his eyes. Both dogs settled down beside him, Charlie Brown with a grunt; Princess Penny with a lick.

The phone's insistent call woke the parson. He started to rouse himself up. He paused. Twenty feet above him and just a bit to the left a red shouldered hawk sat perched on a branch intently watching the trio. The parson didn't move. The dogs continued to sleep, both snoring.

The parson watched the hawk. The hawk watched the parson. The parson after five minutes or so eased himself into a sitting position. The hawk watched. Another couple of minutes and the parson stood. The hawk watched. Both the dogs got up. The hawk watched. The parson maneuvered the back pack onto his back. The hawk watched.

“We have to go now,” said the parson. The hawk watched as the parson and his two companions retraced their steps.

After crossing the stream again, this time with the dogs free of the leash, the parson knelt down. “Come,” he said. Both did. He attached their leash and the two began the ascent to the canyon's rim.

At the top of the canyon, the parson paused at a water fountain. He took two plastic bowls from the back pack, filled them with water and watched each dog lap up the liquid. The parson drank deeply from his water bottle. Then they walked to the car. The parson again released them from their leash. Both bounded into the car without any command.

The parson pulled his back pack off, opened the trunk and placed his back pack, along with his jacket, inside. He closed the trunk and started to get into the car. It was then he looked up a the tree directly in front of the car. The red shouldered hawk was perched there watching.

“We have to go now,” the parson said. He placed himself behind the steering wheel, cranked the car, released the parking brake, put the car into drive. It was then the hawk flew away, his stripped black and white tail and lower wings spread in full display.

It was a good day.

A Moving Time Machine

The parson, along with his faithful canine companion, Charlie Brown, and Charlie Brown's on-again-off-again girlfriend, Penny – a relationship that seemed to see-saw between Penny's delightful demeanor and on-again-off-again food aggressive bitchiness, headed out of the church parking lot toward home.

Penny sat in the front passenger seat, looking our the front window. Charlie Brown sat in the rear seat, looking out the back window. At that precise moment they were not barking to one another and even refusing to look at each other. The parson, basing his decision on over forty years of pastoral counseling which indicated one cannot be a counselor to one's immediate family, refused to get involved. Instead his index finger tapped on the steering wheel, keeping beat with the eclectic music radiating from the car radio of WUTC, NPR at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

It was approximately halfway home the parson noticed the vehicle ahead of them. It was a 1957 Ford Fairlane, with those distinctive rear fins. The parson's memory was immediately drawn back to another time, a time when such cars, of obvious unique design, were sought after as chariots of romance. Ah, the advantage such vehicles had. There were no divided seats with a gear shift or cup container blocking the closeness of two amorous persons enjoying adolescent discovery. The parson's dad had referred to such cars, occupied by such seekers of affection, as vehicles possessing two heaters.

As the parson stared at the distinctive taillights of the Ford, he noticed a silhouette through the rear window. It seemed to be a mirage, a faint hint of a time long gone by. But there it was. There was no denying it. There were two people occupying the vehicle, and the silhouette seemed to indicate that both were sitting behind the steering wheel.

The parson remembered a time when males of his generation drove such chariots of discovery, such avenues of passage. He stared at the shadowed figures who apparently had discovered the thrill of a bygone era. It felt good that such benefits had been passed on to another generation.

The highway widened. There were now two lanes. The parson, smiling, pulled out into the left hand lane. He touched the accelerator to move ahead of these two discoverers of latent passion. And then he saw the couple more clearly. The woman was indeed sitting almost squarely behind the steering wheel with the man. The man's right arm was around her shoulders, keeping her snuggled close. They both grinned in contented happiness. They seemed completely at home in their moving time machine. The parson estimated the driver was seventy-five and his second heater seventy-two.

Charlie Brown Co-Stars at Living Nativity

Charlie Brown, the parson's faithful canine companion, co-starred as the sheep at the Living Nativity.

Manners In Church

Sunday afternoon found the parson walking through a local park. He and his faithful canine companion, Charlie Brown, along with Ms. Penny, Charlie Brown's girlfriend, were getting a bit of exercise.

“Hi, Parson,” called a young lady from the opposite side of the planter.

The parson turned to look. “Well, hello, Louise. It's good to see you again.”

Louise, a ten-year-old, whose family had been visiting recently at the parson's church, came bounding around the planter. She put her arms around Charlie Brown's neck. Ms. Penny, moved in closer anticipating the affection might be extended to strangers. “Hello, Charlie Brown,” Louise said. She stood up straight. “I didn't know you had two dogs, Parson.”

“I do, now,” the parson replied. “This is Ms. Penny; she's Charlie Brown's girlfriend.”

“Why doesn't she come to church with Charlie Brown?” asked Louise.

“Well, Ms. Penny doesn't have the same manners Charlie Brown does,” said the parson. “I'm not sure she would act right at church.”

“Well, that doesn't keep some of the adults from coming,” said Louise. “Talk about bad manners, did you hear Mr. Franklin snoring during your sermon?”

Too Tired to Blog

The parson woke early-thirty. He dressed, took Charlie Brown, his faithful canine companion, and Charlie Brown's new live-in girl friend, Penny, for an early morning walk. The fog was thick, really thick at toward the end of the walk. The weather is changing.

The walk concluded, the parson headed to shower, shave and such. Out the door he went. Penny, on seeing him approach the car moved toward the porch and settled down into her usual place; Charlie Brown has not yet condescended to allow Penny to ride in the car.

They headed toward the parson's uncle's apartment. He was ready when they arrived. Charlie Brown settled down in the back seat with a sigh. The parson and the uncle headed to another city for the uncle's daily radiation treatment. Treatment done, the parson headed home.

After dropping the uncle off, the parson and Charlie Brown headed to the really big chain store where they purchased 350' of mesh wire fencing and enough steel posts to place one every six feet along that 350. That completed they headed to another store to purchase ten gallons of athletic field line marking paint. They then headed to the church to unload all the purchases and begin the preparations for the Cow-A-Bunga Bingo, scheduled for Saturday.

The parson pulled out his 300' tape measure and did the calculations to determine the necessary dimensions for 1500 three foot squares, each of which would await the cow's deposit on Saturday at the Cow-A-Bunga Bingo. A layperson was at the church flying up and down the property on his John Deere riding mower, getting the grass ready to receive the markings.

The parson moved to the storage building and extracted the light weight push mower. He then proceeded to trim those areas the riding mower could not reach, close around the fences, around the trees and shrubs. The parson's church property is composed of quite a few acres. Then the parson moved to the ditches along the right of way. He began to pick up the litter tossed there. As he did so some weird dude of some dubious faith tossed more trash in front of the parson. The parson muttered some words that, no doubt, to the layperson helping sounded like ancient Greek.

Trash picked up, the parson then began to cut the two month old growth of grass along the ditches. It was a long job, a really long job. Then the parson hauled off all the debris he'd collected, pushed the mower back to the storage building, moved all the fencing and posts that would be erected the next day inside the building. And then he changed the lettering on the church sign.

The parson and Charlie Brown arrived home long after those folks who actually work for a living got home. The parson fed Charlie Brown and Penny, Charlie Brown's new girl friend, as well as the three wild cats who live in the yard but allow the parson to put out food for them every evening.

The parson cooked his own meal. Sat down, enjoyed it, listened to Brandi Carlile sing about “Dreams,” washed the dishes. And then sat down at his laptop to compose a blog for the internet.

The parson is an old man. The parson aches in places he shouldn't be aching. The parson is going to bed. Try to find some other blog to read today.

Sorry.

A Special Visitor

The visitor to the church the parson serves walked with a confident air. His blue jeans were creased and his white dress shirt, unadorned by a tie, was freshly laundered and pressed.

The greeter handed him a bulletin, introduced himself, and welcomed him to the service. The visitor acknowledged his welcome and then, looking back on the table where the bulletins were stacked, inquired, “Can I have one of these?”

“Sure,” replied the greeter. “I'm sorry, I should have given you one.”

“Is Charlie Brown here?” asked the visitor as he glanced at the newly acquired bulletin, this one a children's edition.

“Charlie Brown?” the greeter repeated his face displaying a puzzled look.

“Yes, sir, Charlie Brown,” said the young visitor with the impatience that the evidenced his ten years. “Charlie Brown. You know, Charlie Brown.”

“Oh,” said the greeter, 'you mean Charlie Brown.” the visitor stared at him a long moment. He said nothing. “Charlie Brown, the parson's dog, Charlie Brown.”

“Yes, sir, that's the Charlie Brown I'm talking about.”

“I don't think Charlie Brown came to church this morning,” the greeter informed him.

“The parson's here.”

“He is, but I think he … well, I don't think the parson brought him today.”

The music began playing. The visitor stood seemingly studying the situation. He looked at the greeter and asked, “Okay, I was planning to sit with Charlie Brown, but I guess I can sit over there.” He pointed to far end of the rear pew. He slid in and settled down then removed a pen from the holder on the back of the pew in front of him. He began working on the puzzles in the children's bulletin.

Following the service the parson was greeting people at the door. The visitor approached and held out his hand. “Hello, Roger,” the parson exclaimed. “I didn't notice you were here.”

“I came to visit. I thought I'd sit with Charlie Brown, but he's not here.”

“No, he's not here today, Roger,” the parson said. “I've got to leave in a few minutes for a funeral service. And it's too hot today to leave Charlie in the car. So he's visiting with his vet today. I'm sorry you missed him. But I'm really glad you're here.”

“Me, too, but I thought Charlie Brown would be here. Do you think he'll be here next Sunday.”

“I'm almost positive, Roger.”

“Okay, I'll come to church next Sunday, too. See you later, Parson. Mom said I had to come straight home when this was over.”

“See ya, Roger,” the parson replied and watched the visitor walk across the highway to his house on the other side of the road.

The parson took off his robe. Gathered his notes from the pulpit, headed to his study to gather what he needed for the funeral and headed out. Passing a room where the ministry committee was meeting the parson overheard a layperson exclaim. “Well, seems we had a visitor this morning, a neighbor from across the street. Seems he was invited by Charlie Brown. Could we have a show of hands of all the humans who invited someone?”

A Day In the Life of Charlie Brown

Charlie Brown, the parson's faithful canine companion, hopped into the back seat, following the Council on Ministry meeting which had followed the morning worship, ready, as usual, to ride. He gave his regular bark, indicating it was time to head out. Little did Charlie Brown know, he was headed to a preacher's meeting. In a way it was extremely unfair. The only reason he was along for the ride was the sudden break in the summer heat. He could be left in the car.

The parson pointed his vehicle toward the base of the mountain where the ancient Native Americans had once worshiped. Below, nestled in the village, was the First County Seat Church of the Land Stolen from the Cherokees. Charlie Brown, as they entered the village, sat upright in the rear seat sniffing the new smells.

The parson pulled into the parking lot. He maneuvered his car into the shade of a tree. It might be a cool day, but, when Charlie Brown was the passenger, one could never be too safe. Charlie Brown sniffed. Charlie Brown looked out the right side window. He shifted to look out the rear window. Then his gaze moved to the left side window. As the parson lowered the four windows to half mast and began to exit the car, Charlie Brown moved about in a circle on the seat. He then plopped, with a great force he plopped, upon the seat as a loud audible sigh bellowed out of his snout.

“Hey,” said the parson, “I didn't schedule this meeting today. I was just given a mandatory invitation to attend. I'll be back as soon as possible.”

Charlie Brown did not respond.

The parson was pleased the meeting actually adjourned two minutes before the leader had said it would. He skipped the refreshments and headed straight back to his car. The faithful canine companion sensed his approach. He rose from the rear seat and sat up as the parson eased himself behind the wheel. He gave his regular bark, indicating it was time to head out. Little did Charlie Brown know, he was headed to another meeting.

The parson pulled up at his church forty-five minutes later. The parking lot was full. This time of the day had been scheduled for a baby shower for an occupant of one of the church's transitional houses. Charlie Brown sat up, no doubt at the familiar scents assaulting his nostrils. The parson exited the vehicle. This time he immediately opened the rear door and Charlie Brown headed toward the door to the fellowship hall.

The parson and his canine companion entered. They drifted about the room greeting the people who'd come to participate in the shower. The parson expressed his appreciation and admiration for the social worker who did the day-to-day work of the transitional housing program. After the proper greetings had been given, the parson headed toward his study. He held the door open after entering and snapped his fingers to indicate Charlie Brown was to follow.

Charlie Brown followed. He immediately plopped himself on his bed on the floor of the parson's study. He did so with an audible exhale of wind indicating either frustration or foul language.

The phone rang. The parson answered and listened. He hung up the phone. He headed out the outside door of his study. Charlie Brown followed. The parson crossed the parking lot, opened the back driver-side door whereupon Charlie Brown hopped into the back seat. He gave his regular bark, indicating it was time to head out. Little did Charlie Brown know, he was headed to a preacher's appointment.

Fifteen minutes later, Charlie Brown sat up in the back seat. He sniffed the air. He looked out the side windows and the back window. He plopped himself down upon the seat with what was more moan than sigh.

Twenty minutes later the parson exited the hospital. As the parson crossed the area between the car and the hospital doors, Charlie Brown rose and watched. The parson placed himself behind the steering wheel. Charlie Brown gave his regular bark, indicating it was time to head out. Little did Charlie Brown know, he was headed to another gathering.

Fifteen minutes later, the parson pulled into the church driveway. The cars from the baby shower were gone. But they'd been replaced by the cars of the people arriving for the Bible Study. The parson opened the door to exit and then opened the rear door for Charlie Brown to jump out. Charlie Brown headed toward the side door of the sanctuary. The parson opened the door and entered behind him. The parson placed his notes and Bible upon the lectern as Charlie Brown made his way in and out of the pews to greet the participants.

A few minutes into the study, the parson tossed a chewy upon the floor a few feet from where he stood. He spoke, “Charlie Brown.” Charlie Brown walked down the aisle. The parson pointed toward the chewy and said, “Sit.” Charlie Brown plopped himself down upon the floor with an audible expression that was neither moan nor sigh. It was a cry of frustration.

Bible Study concluded, congregants having gone their way, the parson opened the door of the car for Charlie Brown to enter. As the parson moved behind the steering wheel, Charlie Brown gave his regular bark, indicating it was time to head out. Little did Charlie Brown know this time he was headed home.

As the parson turned the car into the driveway, Charlie Brown sat up in the back seat. He sniffed the air, looked out each side window, then the rear window. He waited for the door to open. Once the parson opened the door he bounded out, dashed across the yard and took care of business beside the oak tree. He then bounded back toward the parson, catching him before the parson opened the front door. Once it was opened Charlie Brown dashed in. He gobbled up some food from his bowl, drank deeply from another bowl, looked at the parson for a long moment without making any effort to gain affection and then headed with a stomp to his step down the hallway. He entered the master bedroom, moved to his bed on the floor beside the sliding glass door. He plopped himself down with an audible sigh that was heard all the way into the kitchen.

Two hours later, when the parson entered the bedroom, moved about doing what he was doing, climbed into bed, pulled the covers up, and spoke, “Good night, Charlie Brown,” the faithful canine companion snored.

 

The Plants Have Been Watered

7:30 a.m.

The parson arrived at the church. He headed to the kitchen to make himself a cup of cappuccino, and, having completed that task, went to his study to make an attempt at organizing his day. On arriving at the study he realized he'd forgotten to bring the power cord to the laptop. Knowing there was another one in the media room he headed through the sanctuary to retrieve the cord from the room at the rear of the worship area.

Walking back to his study he noted the plants on the stands in the chancel were looking more than a little fatigued. He headed to the kitchen again, filled a pitcher with water and returned to the sanctuary where he watered the plants.

9:00 a.m.

The parson was at entering a meeting about a coming event in the community when he got a text from a member reading: “Parson, I was at the church and noticed the plants in the sanctuary were in real need of watering. I took care of it. Have a good day.” The parson did not give  much thought to the text and headed to his meeting.

11:00 a.m.

The parson was back at the church for a counseling session with someone. Following the session he left the church while the person who had sought the counseling remained to meet about a children's program at noon. About noon, the parson answered his cell phone. “Hi, Parson, it's me. Look I'm sorry to interrupt whatever you're doing but I thought I should tell you I watered the plants in the sanctuary.

The parson expressed his thanks, mentally filed this information somewhere in the recesses of his mind, and continued toward the hospital which was his next destination.

3:00 p.m.

“Ring. Ring.”

“Hello.”

“Hello, Parson, this is Wanda. I came by to clean the church. Those plants in the sanctuary looked a bit down on their luck so I watered them. Look, I know that Rhonda Milford likes to take care of the plants. But, gracious, she needs to do a better job. I went ahead and watered them.

It was around 5:00 p.m. The parson was sitting on the sofa contemplating the various possibilities of gastronomic delights he could create for himself. Suddenly, out of nowhere the parson's brain brought to the forefront the many calls about the plants.

“Come on, Charlie Brown,” said the parson. “We need to go to the church.”

7:45 p.m.

The parson finally rose from his knees in the chancel of the church. He took the soggy towel and placed it along with the dozen or so others in the bucket. Picking up the bucket he headed to the kitchen to ring them out and take them home to launder.

“Well, Charlie Brown,” the parson commented, as his faithful canine companion jumped in the backseat where the bucket of wet towels were on the floor, “those plants should look really fresh come Sunday morning.”