The parson had checked the doors of the church. Everything was locked. Now he exited through the fellowship hall, the door easiest to secure because of the absence of a deadbolt. Charlie Brown, his faithful canine companion exited with him and promptly scurried across the parking lot to sit beside the left rear door of the car, waiting the opening.
The parson was halfway between the door and his car when Edwin Merchant called out.
“Hey, Parson, got a minute?”
“Hey, Edwin,” said the parson; I thought you would have been gone by now.”
“Tell you the truth, Parson, I hung around a bit to talk to you.”
“Talk about what?” asked the parson as he opened the door to the car to allow Charlie Brown to jump in.
Edwin leaned against the rear fender of his Dodge Ram pickup and said, “Parson, you know everyone knows that you’re really big on this inclusive stuff. I mean, you mention it often in church meetings: ‘We have to be an inclusive church’ and such. Well, Parson, don’t you think we can carry this inclusive stuff too far?”
“Are we having a conversation about being inclusive or being exclusive, Edwin?” the parson asked.
“You do get to the point, Parson. Okay, look, I don’t mean any offense at anything you’re doing around here. I pretty much go along with just about all you suggest. But when you carry this inclusive stuff as far as it seems you’d be willing to carry it, well, gracious, Parson, just imagine the folks the pews would be filled with on Sunday.”
The parson smiled. “Edwin, would you be offended if I got a little personal with you?”
Edwin wrinkled his brow. He stared at the parson a moment and then replied, “No, I guess not. Why?”
“How’s Roger?” asked the parson.
“Roger? You mean my brother?”
“Yes, Roger, your brother; the one who’s been spending more time at the American Legion than he does at home each evening?”
“Well, that’s a hell of a question, Parson.”
“It is, Edwin. And how’s Howard?”
“Howard?”
“Yes, Howard, whose in the jail for drug use and maybe distribution.”
“Damn, Parson, you’re getting a little personal.”
“I am, Edwin, I am. And I want you to know that despite the fact that Howard and Roger have not been on their best behavior I know that they are still family to you. I know that despite their problems you love them. But I want you to know something else, Edwin.”
“What’s that, Parson?”
“I want you to know that every one of those-fallen-from-grace relatives of yours are welcome here at this church. They’re welcome, Edwin, because they are part of your family, and because they are part of your family they are part of ours. And that’s why we’re an inclusive church, Edwin. We’re inclusive so we can include you and your kin folks.”
a strange start to my day...i read a comment of yours somewhere else and laughed out loud....now i read this and want to weep
thank you
Posted by: mmp | July 28, 2010 at 10:06 AM
oooh, snap! good one, parson!
Posted by: net | July 28, 2010 at 11:59 AM