So yesterday, (Saturday) was the last bell choir exploratory session scheduled this for the summer. I got up to GC about 40 minutes before it was scheduled, in order to set up and hopefully, if PP was in, check in with him about his breakfast with JR went on Thursday morning. He never offered any information on Thursday during the day or in the evening.

Thursday was an amazingly ‘busy’ evening at church for a summer evening. I was holding a World Drums session and a bell session. PP had a pre-marital counseling session, someone was there to talk with the couple getting married next week and there were some of the property committee there fussing with the airconditioning.

As I pulled into the parking lot I was surprised to see quite a few cars. I was pretty sure there was nothing else on the calendar so I wondered what was going on. I knew there was going to be a big funeral coming up, but was pretty sure that was for Monday.

So I dropped off my purse in my office, picked up my bell choir materials and walked over to the choir room. There was a note on my desk from PP, sort of describing his breakfast with JR in vague terms…it was a good conversation…blah, blah,…JR’s eager to get going…nothing really specific.

About a dozen people were meeting in the fellowship hall…seemed like they were from Free2Be (car/transportation program for low-income people in Anoka County). PP was standing in the narthex, sort of ‘greeting’ me as I approached. As I said “hey, what’s up?” I looked past him to see a bunch of people rehearsing in the sanctuary. I recognized JR, JB JAS and I thought I saw some of the other accompanists there too. Not to mention MH, the keyboard player.

Basically the (disfunctional) Gospel Band.

PP immediately began talking. Fast talking.

Did I get his note? Seems he didn’t really expect there’d be this good of a turnout from a few phone calls on Thursday.

Oh? So what are they rehearsing?

Well, they’re “trying out” the “setting” JR wrote to see how long it might take to get ready.

Uh huh.

As I got him to crank the ac lower in the choir room, he continues try to explain what’s going on. I must have had a bit of a confused look on my face.

So, tell me again, what is your plan?

Well, they’ll lead on some weeks and the other worship team you’re putting together will lead on other weeks and that way no one has to get burned out. and maybe they can substitute for each other…

So, are we going to lead the same setting every week? (knowing that what the task force and I had been working on was not JR’s setting.) Hasn’t the feedback been that they want things to be the same for a period of weeks and not to change a lot?

No, that’s not really the sentiment. The “Action Team” is really more influential in the congregation that the counsel and they want more worship variety, so JR will lead this setting and then you can coordinate the other groups that lead different settings.

(I’m thinking…it’s not really the sentiment???? What about the idea from less than a month ago that we sing the same hymns every week for the rest of the summer?????)

At some point, I ask, “so I’m not really clear how I’m supposed to be involved with helping and consulting with them on the creation of this if I’m not even invited or told about them getting together. I guess I’m a little surprised that I didn’t even get a phone call about it.”

(in a “chastising tone”) Well, I came in on my day off (Friday) to talk with you about this but you weren’t here, so I left you that note.

(Now I’m thinking, 1) wow, nice way to try to blame me for your lack of communication/change management skills. 2) you didn’t date your note 3) why didn’t you say anything on Thursday 4) when you didn’t find me, why didn’t you call and 5) Clearly you don’t care enough to remember that I was at family court working out a custody settlement on Friday. thanks.)

I say: So, tell me again how I’m supposed to help and consult with them if no one is talking with me?

You’re going to coordinate the groups.

uh huh.

At another point I say: I guess I’m a little concerned about the unspoken messages we give and I would hate to communicate by not being here, that I’m against this or need to be worked around. And besides, I like playing in a band. So was I not asked to be there because BP and CBP are there and they don’t want me to be there? Are they going to play the hymns too?

He didn’t really answer this one but did say:

Well, if I have to massage some personalities that’s what I can do. I can be pastoral. Besides, we haven’t been able to have you assist in worship all summer, so when the band is playing you can assist.

At that statement I was sharply reminded that he does not have any real idea about the role of the assisting minister, his office, the office of the people or the role of a band (a.k.a. choir) in worship. If he thinks that I am going to put on an alb and stand in the chancel while the band sings the assisting minister parts he’s got another guess coming. What I would I be, decoration? You’re going to take away my job, and then dress me up and stand me in front of the congregation to complete my humiliation.

No thank you.

It is also puzzling to me how they are rebuilding the Gospel Band person for person with the exception of JJ and JP and expect that something’s going to be different. They are only recreating the exact situation that got them to this point. It used to be the Pastor Jeff show. Now the only thing that will be different is that he’s not there. It will still be a show, except now the band will be happy again, because they can be the center of attention. You can call the band anything you want. Getting rid of the name is not going to fool anyone. They’ll take one look up there and think “oh the Gospel Band is back together.”

I asked JB this morning how things went. She mentioned that JAS had to tell them that the band couldn’t sing the pastor’s part of the communion liturgy. Sounds like it was word-for-word the conversation I had with them (esp. BP) last fall. But of course I was being a bitch and JAS had authority. JB was astounded to find out that I only learned of the rehearsal yesterday when I walked into church. “What are they thinking?” she asked me. I don’t know. You’ll have to ask them.

Think of a dog, with head sideways trying to figure out what you are saying…that’s what I feel like I look like most of the time these days.

— — —
A year ago (or longer) on This Journey…

A whole new ballgame 2007
T-6.5 2007
it has come to this 2006

— — —
A year ago (or longer) on This Journey…

A whole new ballgame 2007
T-6.5 2007
it has come to this 2006

— — —
A year ago (or longer) on This Journey…

A whole new ballgame 2007
T-6.5 2007
it has come to this 2006

Posted on July 16th, 2006 under work. RSS 2.0 feed. Leave a response, or trackback.