Separation Anxiety at St. David's - Part I

(Originally posted January 8, 2011)

Our connection to St. David's frays.
More and more often, we find ourselves
Separating from activities that were
Our ministry to the congregation.

Driving the homeless back and forth
To a Sunday dinner at the church
Gradually became an unrewarding burden
When few bothered to show up.

A monthly stint anchoring the coffee service
Also became a scheduling nightmare.
Fortunately, our assignment as lectors
Is infrequent and enjoyable.

The usher corps dispensed with my services
For reasons unknown and unexplained.
The new schedule left me off the roster,
Immediately after a service as head usher.

Was it because I only wished to serve once a month?
Or was it because I have posted blog remarks about
A new usher who dressed disgracefully,
Until the day she arrived dressed to the nines?

Perhaps they are displeased about my convictions,
Although we have never discussed theological positions.
Perhaps they suspect, rightly so, that I view
The actions of the denomination as organizational suicide.

I don't impose or debate my theology.
Only God knows what is truthful and correct.
But we should be allowed to hold heartfelt ideas,
And be at least respected for earnest striving at truth.

Having led my klatch of old ladies in an exploration
Of an explosion of writings by Eugene Peterson,
I wonder what remains in their minds of his excoriation
Of contemporary worship in Christian churches.

Next, I nudged them into selecting his
LifeGuide study of twelve psalms.
Our attendance will be random, partly
To avoid my being cast as permanent leader.

Am I fated to be separated from St. David's
By adoption of practices I cannot condone?
Is the parish itself doomed to extinction
By diminution of membership and financial support?