I hate announcements in church. The whole point of going to church on Sunday is to worship God. There is little to nothing in the church news feed (aka announcements) that is worshipful. No one has had their heart warmed or their affections stirred for Jesus because of announcements. (If you have, please tell me I am wrong).
To varying degrees churches do make an attempt to tame this beast. This ranges from letting them run amok - a free for all, anyone talks for any length of time to a tightly tamed only one person talks and makes no more than three.
Given how much I hate them, I find it amusing (and imagine that you will too) that I am now the designated announcement person at the SHAPE chapel. It is Alan Marshall's fault. He coached me into how to make announcements with enthusiasm and in an expedient manner. He also taught me to never ask for volunteers in desperation or for warm bodies and to get it all done in three minutes or less.
This training all came in handy when there was a shortage of chaplain leadership two weeks in a row. The first week, I was asked to announce a huge multi month ministry, the following week, they handed me the welcome, announcements, offering and prayer with ten minutes notice.
I guess all the coaching stuck. I now get to serve God by making announcements....
Showing posts with label chapel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chapel. Show all posts
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Potluck
Today we attended our first church potluck here at SHAPE. They have one monthly, but this is one that finally fit our schedule.
While church potlucks all have their own individual flair, I do have to say that this one fit the general potluck mode. There was plenty of food. Desserts were in abundance followed closely by casseroles. There were a couple of those quirky dishes that people weren't so sure about - in this case, grapes in some white dressing and a rice stir fry with olives. All the food on my plate was very good if not good for me.
Usually the SHAPE Protestant Chapel has themes for their monthly potlucks and the hospitality ladies match the decor with place mats, printed napkins and center pieces. This month's theme was "Totally Random." The bonus of this theme is that all those odds and end place mats, napkins and centerpieces could be used. Tables had floral place mats, Christmas napkins, fall leaves and Italian flags. The effect was colorful if not coordinated.
Three of us ate well. Limited by his allergies, Allen stuck to the apple crisp he knew I made. Now he is supplementing it with a lunch at home. Next time we'll have to pack more lunch for him.
While church potlucks all have their own individual flair, I do have to say that this one fit the general potluck mode. There was plenty of food. Desserts were in abundance followed closely by casseroles. There were a couple of those quirky dishes that people weren't so sure about - in this case, grapes in some white dressing and a rice stir fry with olives. All the food on my plate was very good if not good for me.
Usually the SHAPE Protestant Chapel has themes for their monthly potlucks and the hospitality ladies match the decor with place mats, printed napkins and center pieces. This month's theme was "Totally Random." The bonus of this theme is that all those odds and end place mats, napkins and centerpieces could be used. Tables had floral place mats, Christmas napkins, fall leaves and Italian flags. The effect was colorful if not coordinated.
Three of us ate well. Limited by his allergies, Allen stuck to the apple crisp he knew I made. Now he is supplementing it with a lunch at home. Next time we'll have to pack more lunch for him.
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