From the Back Page
Richard Moore, Senior Pastor
Now and then, I like to read a piece that appears in Monday’s New York Times called Metropolitan Diary. This item features brief stories, observations, and an occasional poem about city life, submitted by readers. Vignettes are meant to bring a smile to your face and, perhaps, convince readers that New York is a friendlier and more down to earth place than outsiders often assume.
Quite a while ago, one of the offerings caught my fancy and made its way into my top left drawer. It has since popped up from time to time as I shuffled through the many slips of paper, article clippings, and file cards that live there. Trouble is, I couldn’t figure out a context for using it. But it’s such a delightful snippet, I could no longer resist. It’s about a woman advertising executive who showed up for a meeting with eleven other executives, all men. As they began taking their seats at the table, the one who was leading the meeting turned to the woman and said, “Sweetie, could you get us some coffee please?” Not missing a beat, the woman turned to the man next to her and, in a whisper loud enough for all to hear, said, “I think he’s talking to you.”
Hmm, I wonder what happened next. Perhaps this story can sound a cautionary note – Be careful of your assumptions. I am reminded again of the passage we read at worship last Sunday from the book of Hebrews (13:1), “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that, some have entertained angels without knowing it.”
Presbyterian Links
Synod of Lakes and Prairies
Presbyterian Church U.S.A.
Presbyterian Church U.S.A. General Assembly
Winnebago Presbytery
