Candid Camera Moments

Now that the holiday programs in our congregation are finally over (with the exception of Christmas Eve Communion), I'm coming up for air and just had to share a moment from youth/children's program rehearsals.


(Background info: we were in the transition week between an outgoing interim youth director--who was fabulous--and an incoming "permanent" youth director--who seems fabulous--both of whom were in attendance and desperately trying to maintain some sense of order.)

Picture the small sanctuary (seats 300) of a county-seat church with the ENTIRE children/youth department (K-12) working on the program:

Grades K-3 bathrobe shepherds are in one corner,

Grades 1-4 angels are in another corner,

middle/high school youth clearing the chancel to use as a stage,

responsible adults trying to teach lines and staging in the midst of the usual utter bedlam.

In the middle of the chaos, enter the men's sections of the choir (with director and organist) who proceed to rehearse "E'en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come" with the organ because it has a built-in transposer and their program is a week before the youth program.

And when the cacophony had reached its apex, I stopped and looked around for the "candid camera" that just had to be in the corner. It was like some archetypical holiday movie. I couldn't help but laugh and praise the Lord that He does work even in the midst of chaos. Both programs were blessings, each in its own way.

As I write this, I realize that maybe that "candid camera" moment really was archetypical of the way we share God's love in the world. Rarely is the ministry of a congregation the well-designed, thoughtfully-planned, cohesive program we'd like it to be. More often it is like a worn patchwork quilt stitched together that, somehow, despite a few new patches, strained stitches, frayed edges, and holes worn by overuse, still manages to provide warmth and comfort.

So, if you're feeling a little frayed, or strained, or just plain worn out, take a moment to remember that He is with us in the midst of sickness and sorrow and strife and storm and joy.

Peace to you.

The Last Roses of Autumn