You're...Anthea?
I'm on the move a lot. I have a fair amount of flexibility with where I go, who I see, and how I spend my time. When the weekend rolls around, I'm probably going to roll out of town someplace unless I need to stay in town for some scheduled event.
As one who tries to get to church every week, that means I split my time between attending several different churches. I have my Rockford church, and my Peoria church, and, now, my Chicago church.
This morning was my third time attending First Bethlehem and my first time without my friends Rachel and Matt. It's a small congregation, so I've started to become familiar with the people there, at least a little. As is typical, after the service, I made my way through the line at the back to shake the Pastor's hand and say Hello.
I made my way through the line and Pastor Kellerman gave me a long look and said,"You're...Anthea?" pronouncing my name perfectly, just before I was about to offer the answer myself. "I thought you were you, but I didn't see Rachel and Matt, so I wasn't totally sure!" He went on to inquire about Rockford and my church there, etc.
When you're a guest some place, especially a church, it's really nice to be recognized and remembered. And let's just say that pretty much nobody remembers my name, so I'm used to all manner of endings to the "You're...???" phrase. (Well, except the correct one.) It's heartening to walk into a place as a solo stranger and leave with a feeling of belonging. (In addition to the fellowship shared amongst all in the divine service, that is!)
As one who tries to get to church every week, that means I split my time between attending several different churches. I have my Rockford church, and my Peoria church, and, now, my Chicago church.
This morning was my third time attending First Bethlehem and my first time without my friends Rachel and Matt. It's a small congregation, so I've started to become familiar with the people there, at least a little. As is typical, after the service, I made my way through the line at the back to shake the Pastor's hand and say Hello.
I made my way through the line and Pastor Kellerman gave me a long look and said,"You're...Anthea?" pronouncing my name perfectly, just before I was about to offer the answer myself. "I thought you were you, but I didn't see Rachel and Matt, so I wasn't totally sure!" He went on to inquire about Rockford and my church there, etc.
When you're a guest some place, especially a church, it's really nice to be recognized and remembered. And let's just say that pretty much nobody remembers my name, so I'm used to all manner of endings to the "You're...???" phrase. (Well, except the correct one.) It's heartening to walk into a place as a solo stranger and leave with a feeling of belonging. (In addition to the fellowship shared amongst all in the divine service, that is!)