to be in his room or outside when it was time for the service. I would stand halfway up the steps behind the wooden bannister in the living room and read from the Bible, the Prayer Book and direct the hymns from our Hymnal. Had my dad's "Daily Devotions" booklet that I would use to read from for the sermon. Even gave communion using crackers and grape juice. And then, just before the service was over I would pass the small wicker basket that my mom had around for the collection. That, needless to say, went into my pocket! My NanNan always gave me a dollar when she was there for the service. Boy, what a job. And, you got paid for it. Not quite sure why I never became a REAL minister, but I chose a different profession. But you know, the guy who sat next to me in choir is now a REAL minister and has his own church in Maryland. I guess he got more money in his basket when he played church and decided to keep it going. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
The "Prelude: Playing Church" Story
It was an ordinary day. The service was almost over. Not quite sure what day of the week it was, but I was finishing being the minister at 929 North Queen Street. I lived there with my mom, dad, and brother. We were members at St. James Episcopal Church in downtown Lancaster, PA where I was a member of the boy's choir. I started singing in it when I was about 10 years old. You had to know how to read music before you were allowed to join the choir. My dad was a featured soloist in the choir, so it was only natural that I would join when I could. After a year or two of singing in the choir and going to church twice on Sunday, I thought it would be neat to be a minister like Reverend Batchelder, our minister. So, I started holding my own church services at home. The only people who attended were my mom and dad and sometimes my NanNan (grandmother) if she happened to be visiting with us at the time. My younger brother, Steve, always managed to be in his room or outside when it was time for the service. I would stand halfway up the steps behind the wooden bannister in the living room and read from the Bible, the Prayer Book and direct the hymns from our Hymnal. Had my dad's "Daily Devotions" booklet that I would use to read from for the sermon. Even gave communion using crackers and grape juice. And then, just before the service was over I would pass the small wicker basket that my mom had around for the collection. That, needless to say, went into my pocket! My NanNan always gave me a dollar when she was there for the service. Boy, what a job. And, you got paid for it. Not quite sure why I never became a REAL minister, but I chose a different profession. But you know, the guy who sat next to me in choir is now a REAL minister and has his own church in Maryland. I guess he got more money in his basket when he played church and decided to keep it going. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.
to be in his room or outside when it was time for the service. I would stand halfway up the steps behind the wooden bannister in the living room and read from the Bible, the Prayer Book and direct the hymns from our Hymnal. Had my dad's "Daily Devotions" booklet that I would use to read from for the sermon. Even gave communion using crackers and grape juice. And then, just before the service was over I would pass the small wicker basket that my mom had around for the collection. That, needless to say, went into my pocket! My NanNan always gave me a dollar when she was there for the service. Boy, what a job. And, you got paid for it. Not quite sure why I never became a REAL minister, but I chose a different profession. But you know, the guy who sat next to me in choir is now a REAL minister and has his own church in Maryland. I guess he got more money in his basket when he played church and decided to keep it going. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.
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