Come Away to the Sunday School

In the church I attend, responsibilities are shared amongst all members of the congregation. We have no paid or professional clergy. The Bishop - who is a volunteer like everyone else - issues the responsibilities or callings as we refer to them. We believe that the Bishop is inspired to give each responsibility to each person, and, for the most part, I've never seen that proven wrong. As for me, I have a talent for singing so I get to be musical in church. It's just who I am. Most recently, I've been the ward chorister - song leader in other faiths - as well as the music leader for the 18 month to 3 year olds. In my spare time, I helped my sister with her calling in the women's organization - the Relief Society.

Today I met with the Bishop for the annual pre-tax review of my donations - this is called tithing settlement but I'm trying to keep things colloquial. The Bishop, a wonderful man the likes of which the world has rarely known, attempts to kill multiple birds with each visit to his office, so I was wary. He started out with the usual records verification and issuing of the tax document. Then he started to discuss his goals for the congregation (we call them wards). Among these, he mentioned a desire that the members would arrive 5 minutes before start time in order to have a more reverent meeting. Since I have a bad habit of arriving just as the music starts, I nodded and made a mental note of his desires.

Then he said, "I've told the members I'm serious about this. We will be releasing them from callings. I meant you. I mean, we won't be releasing you from your callings just yet but soon."

I laughed, assuming he was jesting me and trying to suggest in a non-offensive way that I get up earlier on Sundays. Then I looked at him. He was serious! This Bishop and I have been through muck together. I was stunned. He usually tells me the honest truth. Had I really been this obviously delinquent at the start of meetings?!

"Am I that bad?" I said in shock.

"What?! Huh? I have a new calling for you."

"Wait. So, the release has nothing to do with the lateness."

"Are you late a lot?" The Bishop asked, looking equally stunned.

"Uhm...no. Of course not. I'm very diligent." Liar, liar, pants on fire - my brain repeated the refrain.

The Bishop proceeded to issue the new responsibility - something else musical that will still require I show up on time, so no big surprise. He didn't mention the children, though.

"So, Bishop, will I still be working with the children?" I asked

"What? Oh. I forgot about that. Why did you let me give you so many callings?"

I laughed. "I'm a good girl, I am. I just cain't say no."

He laughed. "Wow. That's just hilarious. I hope I haven't given other people so many callings. But no, I want you to just have one. I feel you were underutilized."

"I was underutilized with two callings?" I asked.

He segued nicely into another discussion. I had to ask him to sign a paper I was supposed to have signed 2 months ago. I hoped that wouldn't prove his point regarding lateness.

A few hours later, I met with another leader in our church. He took the opportunity to expound on my many wonderful virtues - which are many - I may whine on this blog but in real life, I'm quite lovely. He made certain to point this out and then pondered out loud, "How is it a wonderful woman like you isn't currently dating?"

I laughed - it's not worth getting upset since he was only being nice and supportive. So, I told him that I'm doing okay for myself. He just shook his head and expounded on more of my virtues, including a good attitude - that one made me feel a bit guilty - he obviously hasn't seen this blog. When I got home, I said to my brother-in-law what I wished I'd said to him: Don't tell me about my virtues - tell the men. But for the most part, I was flattered by his kindness and regard for me.

I read another article in the Times about the horrible nature of religion - how it ruins the world and makes everyone miserable. I know each viewpoint is valid but I just don't agree. I feel marginalized for who I am outside the church - and non-religious persons feel marginalized within - so here's the harsh reality - whenever we are with a group who does not consider US to be the in-crowd, we will feel outside. The group isn't wrong. The organization isn't evil. It's just not US - so, eliminating the organization won't make US better - in fact, it will just make US more like the bigots and haters who have hurt so many people. WE are just who WE are....no more, no less. The world would be a lot better place if everyone just accepted that no single experience is perfect for all - and then we left people alone to find their joy, shared our point of view when asked (you never know when someone is an US who needs home), and just loved everybody in between. We're all just people, people.

On that thought, I'm going to bed tonight with the happy realization that starting tomorrow, I only have one responsibility at church. With school, work, and a happy home life - that's just about the right amount of utilized.