Sunday Morning Activities

Sunday morning, the parson headed toward the church. The chill of the fall day quicken the steps leading to the car. The sun was shining; the wind was barely a puff. The parson placed his sermon-filled briefcase in the back, and off to church he rode.

The drive was pleasant over the five miles between his house the church. He listened to  warm voice of Liane Hansen and Weekend Edition Sunday. Ms. Hansen was offering a bit of help to the listener trying to solve the puzzle of Puzzlemaster Will Shortz when he passed by Albert Robinson’s place.

Albert, a member of the Administrative Council, was perched on the seat of his large riding lawnmower. He was headed up the slope from the street toward the house, the clippings spraying out from the blade’s housing. Albert’s back was to the parson as the parson passed. 

Not too long following the parson’s arrival at the church the adult saints gathered in the Fellowship Hall to feast on the pastries and coffee while the youth and children beat a path to the Youth Activities Center where they were away from the watchful saintly eyes. Laughter signaled the beginning of a good Sabbath. Soon everyone was in their respective Sunday School class while the parson sat studying his sermon.

The parson suddenly shot upright from his sofa. He’d promised he’d pass out the information sheet on the subscription campaign for the denominational newspaper. The sheets were on the kitchen table at home. He looked at the clock. It was late, but he calculated he would have just enough time to make it.

With deliberate speed the parson guided his car from the parking lot and pointed it toward home. A short distance up the road he passed Albert Robinson’s home. Albert was still atop the lawn mower, this time heading across the yard near his front door. The parson smiled, giving a nod to envy.

At home the flyers and subscription cards were gathered up and tucked under his arm. The parson then jumped in the car and headed back toward the church. 

Albert Robinson had completed the cutting of the lawn as the parson’s hurried return to the church passed him. He was now on his sixth or seventh pass across his sister-in-law’s front yard, which bordered his own. The parson took note of the thickness and green of the grass, wondering how Albert kept it so lush.

The morning service went well. The singing way joy-filled; the people were attentive; and a celebratory spirit enveloped the gathered. The parson greeted the saints as they left, including Albert’s spouse who informed the parson Albert was “a bit under the weather.”

With everyone gone, the parson gathered his things and headed home, passing Albert’s well-tended lawn along the way.

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Comments

[Rev Kim]

:)

I try to solve Shortz's puzzles on my way to church, too!

[Rev Dave]

Well, literally, if he was outside, he would be "under the weather."