I had wanted to be "more visible" during yesterday's service, but hadn't counted on being part of an impromptu dance performance. Almost immediately after it was over, the congregation's "talented tenth" rushed up to give me hugs. And that included Bing who is an accomplished Gilbert and Sullivan interpreter, Colette a published author, and Hallie' ( Read more... )

Yesterday was a good day. The travel gods delivered me to church in plenty of time despite the weekend subway changes. There was a man with a deep, baritone voice seated in the pew behind me, so it was nice to have someone else singing besides me. I was looking forward to going to Dive Bar afterward with Pale male, but we all got the surprise of ( Read more... )

Sunday, St. Michael's was in ful sun dress mode. A seminarian gave the homily; standing fans created gentle breezes between the aisles; the Amsterdam Avenue ADA door was wide open. And, I was on Altar Guild duty ( Read more... )

The Deacon gave another outstanding sermon on Sunday although the only thing I can recall from it is the little joke he made at the begining about being chosen to give a sermon about "fig trees and manure". He seems fully recovered from what.was ailing him a month or so ago when he skipped the men's retreat. And, regardless of what the sermon was ( Read more... )

The early service was devoted to Lessons and Carols which is another way of saying, "There's no sermon today!" The first lesson was read by one of the Bruces. It's hard to describe this Bruce. He is on the far side of seventy and apparently a bachelor. He has a carnival barker's voice and listening to him read from the lecturn is a little like ( Read more... )

I've always said that to understand Sunday morning in America, you have to understand what went on Saturday night. Back when I was an honorary member of the Twenties/Thirties Group that often meant recovering from a night spent drinking. We were dutifully contrite the morning after and tried our best not to show the signs of wear and tear as we ( Read more... )

Bilbo Baggins is back in town. In fact, the Bagginses are the only three-generation family - from its titular head to his youngest grandson - in regular attendance these days, temporarily eclipsing the Campbells, whose grandchildren haven't been spotted at St. Michael's in years. When all the Bagginses are at table there is barely room for any ( Read more... )

Two weeks ago, it was the unbearable lightness of the half-empty hotel bar; yesterday, it was the ineluctable goodness of a coffee café. This is not to be confused with a Starbucks. Definitely not ( Read more... )

There's been a lot of e-mail traffic lately regarding church service and various aspects of providing food and drink before during and after it: Saturday Kitchen is once again in need of volunteers; the Rector would like an At Table service before the calendar stretches too long; and the call has gone out for someone to replace one of the regulars ( Read more... )