Forty-plus years ago, when I was working on a doctorate at Union in VA, the late John Haddon Leith told of entering a rural pulpit one summer in supply, and noticing a black snake on the shelf inside the pulpit. Concerned that the snake might scurry through the congregation, creating a scene, he waited until the first hymn, gesturing somewhat to direct rhythm, and in one swift motion, grabbed the snake and back-handedly tossed it out the window to his side (you recall how the small pulpit area in rural churches often have such windows fairly close to the pulpit). By his recollection, his swift action, combined with the piety of devout singers, prevented all but one member of the congregation from noticing the flying serpent.
I pastored at Greensboro Presbyterian from 1982-1988. It was my first pastorate. We did not have an opossum, but bats. We still savor the church there and the precious saints.
A rural church may be wonderful. It may also be otherwise. When half the church is related to the other half, and when family becomes more important than church, then things will definitely be otherwise. I speak from experience.
More! More! This was great! (I just knew that possum wasn’t going to leave such a good church)
Philip,
Forty-plus years ago, when I was working on a doctorate at Union in VA, the late John Haddon Leith told of entering a rural pulpit one summer in supply, and noticing a black snake on the shelf inside the pulpit. Concerned that the snake might scurry through the congregation, creating a scene, he waited until the first hymn, gesturing somewhat to direct rhythm, and in one swift motion, grabbed the snake and back-handedly tossed it out the window to his side (you recall how the small pulpit area in rural churches often have such windows fairly close to the pulpit). By his recollection, his swift action, combined with the piety of devout singers, prevented all but one member of the congregation from noticing the flying serpent.
Dr. T. David Gordon
Grove City, PA
Wow!! That was quick thinking on the part of Rev. Leith. I am thankful it was a possum and not a snake at Marion.
I pastored at Greensboro Presbyterian from 1982-1988. It was my first pastorate. We did not have an opossum, but bats. We still savor the church there and the precious saints.
Greensboro is a beautiful church! I enjoyed visiting there for presbytery once.
A rural church may be wonderful. It may also be otherwise. When half the church is related to the other half, and when family becomes more important than church, then things will definitely be otherwise. I speak from experience.