Diane Roth

Recently I had a conversation with one of the young parents in my congregation.  We were having a far-reaching discussion that included Sunday School, next summer's Vacation Bible School Program, and the changing nature of our culture and church attendance.  When I offered the idea that "going to church" is not as culturally normal now as it was when I was growing up, she replied, "That's right!  I think we are the only ones who go to church among all of our friends."  She continued that she knew that her friends had a wide variety of opinions and emotions regarding faith, from some who clearly were not interested, to others who were more ambivalent.  I blurted out, "So, you're sort of like missionaries to your friends." I immediately regretted the statement.

Which is to say:  all I have is stories. I noticed a young family gone absent from worship. She is a gifted musician and actress; they have two young children. She did a benefit concert here once full of wonderful musical numbers; all the proceeds went to cancer research. I had been somewhat connected with them and eventually found her on Facebook, where I noticed that her religious affiliation was "atheist." Oh.

It was after a funeral. I was sitting with a couple who were visiting our congregation, but it turned out they had connections with my husband's church, so we began to chat.  And (here's where I get fuzzy) I don't know how this came up or what I said exactly, but I must have said something about "the historical view" or "the critical view" of the Bible, and they both got this stricken, deer-in-the-headlights look.

The other day, I was doing a little "internet checking" and went into a website called "Viewshound", where anyone can publish their views and opinions on almost everything.

Thursday morning, I drove over to a neighboring parish to participate in Lectio Divina for the first time. 

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On Sunday, I went to church.  I know, it's summer, and why would you go to church in the summer? There's no Sunday school, and no choir, and there are plenty of other things to do. At least, that seems to be what several people think. But I am the pastor, and I was presiding, so I went to church.

That's what she said when I walked into her room at the nursing home.

I was there to help plan a funeral on Saturday, for her daughter.  Her brothers were also with us.

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