Excerpt:
A quick glace at the clock told Janet that she needed to get paper and pencil ready for her next meetings.
With the custodian. Them Sunday school kids are still puttin gum under their chairs!
Then with the choir director. Weve got to do something about the ushers bustling around during my introits!
Then with Mrs. Suarez. My daughter feels like shes being treated unfairly because were Mexicans.
Then with Delly and Don. We wanna get married but our folks wannus to wait til were outta high school.
Then this evening with the property committee. I can picture it alreadylook, Pastor Janet, you gotta help us solve this argumentsome of em want that new fangled idea of a free-standin altar, but the rest of us like it where it is - and should be -against the wall!
Somewhere, she announced to the empty office, I hope I find some small reference to the Gospel and Christian Love! And this Sundays sermon is going to ruffle a few feathers. But by george, I must address the true message to these affluent socialites, regardless of whether or not thats what they want to hear. Its my calling and I intend to do it.
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When Janet stepped into the pulpit, she closed her eyes briefly, reminding God that this business of being a pastor was, after all, His idea. Remember, I was perfectly content working in the corporate world until You came along and tapped me on the shoulder, so Im asking you now to put the words that I need into my mouth.
The words that came from the Pastors mouth were not at all popular. Robert Leary, current president of the local Golf Club, whisked out the door without his usual effusion of good cheer, muttering something about dern fool liberation theology has no place in the church!
Mr. Conway, president of the largest bank in town, was equally distressed, his usual strong handshake a limp facsimile.
Mr. Glenwood Wellington snapped, No comment! He was a fourth generation Savannah family and never in all those years has even one preacher even suggested that our congregation was anything but generous and upstanding and concerned for those less fortunate. He did not say out loud that certainly not some female who had no place
Mrs. Appleby, who agreed with Janet but who was too afraid of her husband and couldnt look Janet in the eye.
Mrs. Greene lifted her already haughty nose a little higher as she sallied forth, suggesting Janet to be invisible.
Little Miss Templeton, a spinster and the one remaining original member of this elite institution, squeezed Janets hand, and with a wicked, feisty twinkle in her merry gray eyes, hissed under her breath, Atta girl, honey. Hit em where it hurts. Ill expect more of the same next Sunday.
Chapter Two
Janet stuffed the final beach towel into the duffle bag and set it at the front door. Ah, summer time means the beach for the children, and now with mother here, I dont have to keep telling them, not now, but soon.
Mommy, were ready and Grandma is coming right down! shouted seven year old Seth.
Mommy, Grandma said we could stay all day, if you say its okay, reported five year old Patsy.
Grandma, added three year old Ginni, is gonna take us to the beach!
Mother, smiled Janet as Nancy Pontiac appeared, I cant tell you what a treat this is for the children. No wonder they love having you visit.
Janet, nothing makes me happier than to be with my grandchildren. Im looking forward to today. And dont bother with dinner. I promised them wed stop for hamburgers on the way home.
Sounds wonderful. Oh, come here children and give Wanda a goodbye kiss. Shes going to visit her family in Kansas, you know, while Grandma is here with us.
As soon as Wanda headed west in her car, and Nancy and the children headed east to the ocean, Janet returned to the house and gathered up her papers and books for the office. Lets see now - I want to stop at the hospital and then look over that new Sunday School material before going to the ministerial alliance meeting. Should be good, talking about
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