A New Church

A New Church

I drive into the parking lot
the first car there.
I hate being late
especially to a new place.
Gradually the faithful filter in
I follow them in the back door,
up the stairs, along the hall
to the sanctuary.
I pick up the readings,
the bulletin.
I scan the room.
“I’ll walk up the side aisle,
the gospel side.
Don’t sit in someone’s special pew.”
A slight bow
I see others doing it.
I sit.

Should I pull out the kneeler?
Should I pray?
Should I cross myself?
No-
mark the hymns
open the Book of Common Prayer..
No—
that’s the hymnal or something else—
here it is—
mark the liturgy
read the announcements
I watch others arrive from the
corner of my eye.

I look around the sanctuary
there are two walls of windows
little stained glass crosses
march across each one.
The brick wall behind the altar
holds a tall, slender wooden cross.
Candles are lit.
The priest arrives.
All stand.
Readings, prayers, hymns,
kneeling, crossing.
Finally the message.
Ah!
relax, listen, feel the
peace of Christ enter.
It floods my heart.
I soften.

All too soon we
pass the plate
pass the Peace
pass the Body and Blood of Christ.
A blessing
a prayer to send the flock forth.
Shake hands.
I find my way out,
wander down the hall
descend the stairs,
shuffle across the icy parking lot.

An hour of anxiety in
a new church;
ten minutes of God’s
Peace and Presence.

Written late winter 2008