Inductions

Last week I went to two Inductions in local churches.

At one I was offered a small round wafer and some wine; at the other a piece of cake and a cup of tea.

 

At one the Presider wore an extraordinary white hat and a very large white frock with gold trimmings; at the other the Presider wore a suit and tie.

 

At one the Mayor, Imam, several ex-mayors, the Town Clerk, some local Funeral Directors and wotnots were present; they didn't make it to the other one.

 

At one there was a choir and the organist played Widor's VIth Symphony; at the other there was a violinist and the opening hymn had the wrong introduction.

 

At one the inducted was given the keys of the Church door after swearing allegiance to Her Majesty the Queen; at the other the inducted was given a handshake.

 

It was hard, overall, not to notice the difference between an ancient Parish Church and a Baptist congregation of recent establishment.

 

Hard for me not to notice that is - I doubt that God noticed much and certainly wouldn't care. After all, he did some inductions on the Galilean beach in just two words with no dressing up at all . . .