We checked into the same motel
where I had stayed, had breakfast at the same restaurant while sitting at the
same table. We were at University Drive Alliance by 9:00 a.m. where we met the
church secretary and got the key to “our” first house. Well, not ours. It
belonged to the church, but we occupied it.
We began unloading our car (took about 20 minutes) and began to put
things where we thought they should go. Della organized the Kitchen while I unpacked
boxes. Walter and his wife Doris arrived so she could meet us. She brought a
few groceries to get us started. We went talked about our physical needs. Furniture
was the top priority. He put us on to Rose Furniture. The owner, Barry, went to
the church. He called Barry and set up an appointment for us. We waited until Eaton’s
arrived with the bed. They set it up, we made the bed and left to meet Barry
Rose.
We certainly did not want to buy
what we did not need immediately. Della was already a skilled money manager.
She knew what we had to spend and watched how we spent it to make sure it was
going spread to all we needed. That was a challenge. Barry was a salesman. He
was ready to make a whale of a deal on furniture for the entire house. We went
in for a table and chairs, but caved in. We purchased that plus a sofa,
armchair, two end tables, a coffee table and two lamps. Admittedly the living
room looked better with furniture. His crew delivered the next morning.
On Friday, September 2, I was in
my office with my two boxes of books (all
school text books). The secretary got me set up with office stuff. It took
a few minutes to unload the boxes and the real questions began. What do I do
now? The weekend was clear. I did not need to work on Saturday, I would be
interviewed in both services on Sunday and there would be a reception for us
after the evening service.
Later Friday morning I met with
the pastor who gave me a run down on upcoming events. Our church would host the
annual conference of the Canadian Midwest District. I was told I would work
with two women on housing for all the incoming pastors and lay people. Also I
would need to go over the list of committees and assign meetings rooms and have
signs prepared, Bt the time lunch came, I had lots to do. The conference was in
three weeks.
It had only been a few months
since we left school, and there would likely be some guys arriving with whom I
just gradated. We all wanted to be pastors. While I wasn’t a senior pastor, I
was in the largest church. How would my friends react? My job would be a
surprise.
At lunch I learned Della had been
quite busy herself. She had finished inventorying the kitchen and had begun
making a list of things we still needed. Strange, I thought we got everything
we needed. Admittedly, twelve teapots were a little much. I didn’t even drink
tea (but I would learn). She had
moved several things we did not need or would never use into the extra bedroom.
She had already decided most of those items would go on to friends being
married the following summer (re-gifting).
That took care of the teapots.
That afternoon, the Sunday school
superintendent came by for a visit. He wanted me to know that everything was
ready for fall. He had a full compliment of teachers and he went over the
curriculum in detail with me. It became clear he was informing me as a
courtesy. He neither wanted my help nor needed it. He had been the
superintendent for over twenty years and knew exactly what needed to be done
and I would be of no use to him, “son.” When he didn’t call me “son,” he called
me “boy.” It was a real confidence builder.
I was the “new” Christian
Education Director and I was being relieved of the largest single
responsibility in the field in the church. Now what do I do? There was one
youth group. It was a College and Career group run by two Russian brothers –
the Repetski’s. There was no board of Christian Education, something I was
taught we needed. There was a Christian Service Brigade, two levels, and
Pioneer Girls. That was it.
I was totally confused. Nothing
was like I was told the model church should be and I had already been told the
parents of teens did not want a youth program. Yeah! I’m here. I get to be the
errand boy. Well, if that will be my role I was determined to be the best
errand boy I could be. I had a job in a church. I felt completely at peace.
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