The parson was walking out of the courthouse. He'd been talking with the Chairman of the County Commission to get his support for an Emergency Shelter for Single Women with Children. The meeting had turned out as the parson expected. The Chairman had promised his unconditional support as soon as the parson raised the needed funds.
No more than ten feet outside the offices of the Commissioners, Fred Eberhardt called out to the parson.
“Hey, Parson, you down here paying taxes, too.
Fred was a unique person in the parson's denomination. He was young, really young. Fred was only twenty-six years of age. Not many that young completed college, seminary, and jumped through all the hoops of the Board of Ministry and were serving their first appointment. Fred was unique in another aspect, also. Fred's first appointment had been in the middle of the year. That is, Fred was appointed by the bishop to his first church on January 1st, whereas most appointments in that episcopal area were made effective on the third Thursday of June. As of the day before this Fred had led the worship service for the 15th time.
“Hello, Fred,” said the parson. “No, actually I'm here for a meeting. How are things going with you?”
Fred's eyes widened, his demeanor took on a burst of energy. “Great, Parson, really great. I mean things are really great. You know,” he said with an obvious tone of pride, “I think things are really turning a corner at the church.”
“That's good to hear, Fred,” the parson replied. “How was your Easter service?”
“It was terrific, Parson, absolutely terrific. Oh my goodness, we almost had to put chairs in the aisles. The place was packed. I think the word must be getting out about my preaching.”
The parson smiled, thought a minute and was about to reply when Fred's cell phone rang.
Fred looked down at the phone's screen and said, “Excuse me, Parson, I need to take this.”
The parson waited. When Fred completed his call he informed the parson with apologies he needed to leave to take care of a matter.
The parson watched him walk down the courthouse steps relieved he didn't have to explain to Fred that folks don't come to the Easter service because of the preaching. If they did, in Fred's case, they'd have been there in February. The parson said a prayer that Fred would be able to handle Sunday-after-Easter attendance phenomenon.

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