New Job at Church

A funny thing happened at church the other day… Jane left the office Monday afternoon to go home and prepare for a trip with her family for the Thanksgiving holiday. I told her as she was leaving to call me if she thought of anything she may have left undone since she would not be returning for the rest of the week. I received a call from her 2 or 3 hours later. “Rachel, I forgot to do something before I left”, she began. “There is a watering can on the bookshelf on the other side of my desk. Beside it, there is a white container of humidifier treatment. Put a cap of this in the watering can and add water to the fill line.” Then she said, “With this, you will need to water the piano,” and proceeded to explain how I was to do this. I thought to myself, “Poor Jane, she’s had to put up with us Church folks for too long and now her cheese has slid off her cracker.” Unable to convince Jane that she surely meant that I was to water the plants, I did as I was instructed. As I approached the piano with the watering can, I scanned the alter for a hidden camera. I wondered if this was some sort of initiation for new staff and made a mental note to ask John and Nora if they had fallen for the old “water the piano” prank. Low and behold, there was a plastic tube coming from underneath the piano. There was also a blinking light indicating the piano’s need to be hydrated. So I watered the piano.

As a lesson in Discipleship, I could take this true story in several different directions. As disciples we are called upon to learn new things. Or, as Disciples, we are sometimes asked to do some cockamamie things… But the piano watering task was merely one of many tasks I have observed being carried out in our Church. I’ve been impressed by the work that goes on daily, not only by the staff, but by all of you. It takes dedication and discipleship to be a church. Can goods are gathered, boxed, and delivered to people in need. Paraments are changed as needed. The sanctuary is tidied. The Church van is serviced. The grass is cut. Light bulbs are changed. Doors are replaced. And the piano is watered.