The Secret Language of Bings (Part Two)
EFM class met last night and although it was mostly uneventful, it did bring back some memories of the last time I began Year Three of the sequence. It is clear, for example, that the reading materials are designed to appeal to the widest possible assortment of religious enthusiasts. The two hours we spend together are devoted largely to group prayer and delivering aspects of our personal, spiritual journeys in round-robin fashion.
Next week, when we meet again, we will have read about ten pages of workbook material plus whatever ancillary material it refers to. The latter consists of two books either written by or about spiritual leaders of the 20th Century. Waiting in the background is another book, the gigantic "Christianity: The First 3,000 Years" which I read over the summer and is already beginning to recede in my memory.
In other words, there will be plenty of opportunity for people to do minimal reading before steering every conversation off course towards whatever topic comes into their minds. And, judging from appearances, that topic will frequently be about race.
The group is nearly evenly divided between whites and African-Americans. In fact, until and unless full attendance is achieved, whites may actually be a slight minority on any given evening. This is a rare happenstance in American social gatherings. I've mostly seen it in parts of the South during high school football season. But, before that the only other example I can recall is the St. Michael's I came across nearly three decades ago when I first followed someone there after meeting them in a gay bar.
In the late 1980s and early 90s, St. Michael's was easily 50/50 Caribbean women and gay white guys. They were the ones who needed it the most and who came to its rescue when the Diocese was trying its best to close it and sell off its assets (which, as it turned out, were considerable.) One of these days, Bing will get around to telling that story. But, not now.
So far, having the Bings in class has been a little bit like being backstage at a legitimate theater after years of performing Burlesque. The Bings are the old-hands making everyone else feel comfortable and every bit their peers even though we're really all a little star-struck. They're witty and down-to-earth while at the same time like thoroughbred race horses chomping at the bit and anxious to perform. Bing leads us in an old hymn. It's effortless and though it feels impromptu, is nevertheless timed perfectly to coincide with the beginning of the class.
Colette has decided to hide behind a large pair of reading glasses consisting of round, black frames that make her look a bit like the late Anita Loos. But, only when she is wearing them.
I sat next to Juanita in order to give her some attention at the end of what may have been a rough day. She is still processing what happened with my Altar Guild partner and realizes that she may be in trouble. But, not enough to conclude that she did anything wrong or unreasonable. As far as she is concerned, my partner showed up on the wrong day and that was the whole point. Full stop.
Juanita is a hard case because she was obviously brought up during a time when being in the wrong place had harsh consequences. I think it colors her worldview.
I also learned something from listening to Juanita's spiritual journey contribution. She said more than once that Altar Guid to her was like "being in the presence of God". That performing its duties are a highy spiritual experience for her. I pointed out to her how alike she is to the woman I call, "Eleanor Roosevelt" in that respect. They both are more than willing to perform Altar Guild as often as they can and by themselves. Having other people around can be viewed as a distraction and reveals why both women find it so hard to explain what they are doing. It's almost like asking them to step out of a trance. They get cranky.
Next week, when we meet again, we will have read about ten pages of workbook material plus whatever ancillary material it refers to. The latter consists of two books either written by or about spiritual leaders of the 20th Century. Waiting in the background is another book, the gigantic "Christianity: The First 3,000 Years" which I read over the summer and is already beginning to recede in my memory.
In other words, there will be plenty of opportunity for people to do minimal reading before steering every conversation off course towards whatever topic comes into their minds. And, judging from appearances, that topic will frequently be about race.
The group is nearly evenly divided between whites and African-Americans. In fact, until and unless full attendance is achieved, whites may actually be a slight minority on any given evening. This is a rare happenstance in American social gatherings. I've mostly seen it in parts of the South during high school football season. But, before that the only other example I can recall is the St. Michael's I came across nearly three decades ago when I first followed someone there after meeting them in a gay bar.
In the late 1980s and early 90s, St. Michael's was easily 50/50 Caribbean women and gay white guys. They were the ones who needed it the most and who came to its rescue when the Diocese was trying its best to close it and sell off its assets (which, as it turned out, were considerable.) One of these days, Bing will get around to telling that story. But, not now.
So far, having the Bings in class has been a little bit like being backstage at a legitimate theater after years of performing Burlesque. The Bings are the old-hands making everyone else feel comfortable and every bit their peers even though we're really all a little star-struck. They're witty and down-to-earth while at the same time like thoroughbred race horses chomping at the bit and anxious to perform. Bing leads us in an old hymn. It's effortless and though it feels impromptu, is nevertheless timed perfectly to coincide with the beginning of the class.
Colette has decided to hide behind a large pair of reading glasses consisting of round, black frames that make her look a bit like the late Anita Loos. But, only when she is wearing them.
I sat next to Juanita in order to give her some attention at the end of what may have been a rough day. She is still processing what happened with my Altar Guild partner and realizes that she may be in trouble. But, not enough to conclude that she did anything wrong or unreasonable. As far as she is concerned, my partner showed up on the wrong day and that was the whole point. Full stop.
Juanita is a hard case because she was obviously brought up during a time when being in the wrong place had harsh consequences. I think it colors her worldview.
I also learned something from listening to Juanita's spiritual journey contribution. She said more than once that Altar Guid to her was like "being in the presence of God". That performing its duties are a highy spiritual experience for her. I pointed out to her how alike she is to the woman I call, "Eleanor Roosevelt" in that respect. They both are more than willing to perform Altar Guild as often as they can and by themselves. Having other people around can be viewed as a distraction and reveals why both women find it so hard to explain what they are doing. It's almost like asking them to step out of a trance. They get cranky.