Which church is this anyway?
Just know that whatever dumb move you pull today is not as ditzy as what I did on Christmas Eve. It all started with the best of intentions: I wanted to go to church despite the fact that I had to work forecasting the weather for the 6:30, 10 and 11 p.m. newscasts.
The prior year, I managed to squeeze in a service near downtown Pittsburgh between shows and hoped to accomplish the same feat this time.
One of my sweet coworkers was on the clock with me and had worked with me the year before, as well. She remembered me going to church and asked if I wanted to go together this year. Terrific!
The only hesitation I had was when she pulled out a list of Masses at Catholic churches. I’m Protestant (raised Lutheran and lately attending Presbyterian) but am the United Nations of religious services.
Between my mother being a chorus teacher at a Catholic school and choir director/organist at Lutheran, Disciples of Christ and Presbyterian churches, plus years of covering news stories at synagogues and mosques and attending a friend’s Hindu wedding … you name it, I’ve worshipped there.
We chose a service in the suburbs that fit our time schedule, and she offered to drive. After the early newscast, we hopped in the car and plugged the address into the GPS. Neither of us had ever been to that church or that particular neighborhood.
We turned onto the street to see the beautiful church, found parking across the street and scurried in just before the choir processed. We found empty seats toward the back, and my coworker (being a devout Catholic) kneeled briefly before entering the pew. Not being Catholic, I never know what to do in that situation and didn’t want everyone staring at me like an outcast, so I sort of dipped, then sat down quickly.
Then I reached for the hymnal and there it was: “Presbyterian Hymnal” printed on the front! I busted out laughing and could barely control myself opening the bulletin to see the name of the church.
Yep, we had walked into the Presbyterian church next door to the Catholic church! What are the chances that both would be holding services at 8 p.m.? Why was there no sign out front, and why didn’t we notice the lack of holy water at the sanctuary entrance? I grinned at my coworker and pointed to the name on the bulletin as her jaw dropped. Was it too late to duck out and switch churches? Her Catholic guilt kicked in, and I told her I was fine either way.
Only then did she realize I wasn’t Catholic.
Needless to say, we spent a good deal of the service trying to keep a straight face while enjoying the music, message and fellowship. I’m sure God didn’t care which service we attended – it’s the effort and thought that counts, right?
Kristin Emery can be reached at kristinemery1@yahoo.com.