Yesterday morning the Old Fool enjoyed a special service at College Mennonite. The time usually devoted to a sermon was given to the African Children’s Choir. Those of you who are acquainted with them can picture the activity on the platform – proclaiming and dancing to every song with the energy only African children bring. But then, who knows what other children might be capable of if we only trained and released them.
The Old Fool remembered worshipping with the congregation at Ashton Mennonite when a special singing group presented a program. Ashton at one time was one of the livelier charismatic congregations in the conference. Mid-way through their program the leader asked “Why aren’t you applauding? Are we doing something wrong and offending you?” We Mennonites did not know how to respond appropriately to an artistic presentation.
The Old Fool heard the leader of the African Children’s Choir remind us to applaud and encourgage the children. The congregation did applaud enthusiastically. He noticed. though, that some people left their hands folded on their laps. The old fool shouldn’t be too critical of them. They might suffer from arthritis.
On Sunday evening be joined in World Communion Sunday by gathering for communion. It seemed like one of our smaller groups. The Old Fool made it larger by thinking of the parents and the churches that the children of the morning’s choir came from. And thinking of all who are in authority, especially the new president of Somalia who is a Muslim that studied in a Christian school. It was a worldwide communion for The Old Fool.
The next post will fit the political category.
