Chutzpah

At one of my services today, during the middle of the sermon, a Former Parishioner appeared in the doorway. This was a real surprise, as FP had not darkened the door of the church since leaving the congregation last fall (the departure did not have anything to do with the local community, but rather was due to dissatisfaction with "the goings on" in the national church).

I was startled at the unexpected appearance, but smiled to give a welcome, and continued with the sermon. FP came in-- but did not sit down, instead approaching a Current Parishioner. They held a brief, whispered conversation, and then left.

Keep in mind that this is a SMALL congregation - attendance in the teens this morning-- so this did not go unnoticed. However, we continued in worship. A while later CP returned, but FP did not.

I asked CP after the service if everything was all right-- had FP been ill, or was there some other emergency? I assumed it must be something urgent, if it had been important enough to interrupt worship.

Turns out that FP had locked the keys in the car, and needed a ride-- to another church.