I have been a church lady all my adult life, and I am quite elderly now, so I understand certain things.  This is not a matter of faith.  It is a matter of works.  And how things work around a church is very, very slowly.  Over the years in several states and parishes, I have sung in choirs, ironed altar linens, arranged flowers, led discussions, and served on various committees.  At my present parish, where I came fifteen years ago, I decided that I would do tasks but I would not serve on committees.  Meetings make me crazy, and, at this point in my life, crazy is not where I am looking to go.

However and somehow, a few years ago, I agreed to serve on the Arts and Architecture Committee.  I am trying now to remember why.  I think it had to do with the hope that we were going to completely re-do the parish hall and the plan showed running carpet half-way up the walls which pretty much offended my religious sensibilities.  As it turned out, that project, nevermind the carpet,  never got off the ground, but I continued to serve.

One of the things I have come to understand about church is that things move really, really slowly.  The joke about how many committees have to meet before a light bulb can be changed in an Episcopal church does not amuse me.  I was led to believe that the A & A Committee’s chief function would be to increase St. Swithin’s art collection.  Nevertheless, the first year was spent discussing how we might spruce things up before Katharine, our Presiding Bishop, paid us a visit.  We had an idea of creating some beautiful banners to hang above the main door to the church.  A few months were spent discussing which door was actually the front door.  By then, there was no time to choose a banner-creating committee, run the idea past the Building and Grounds Committee, which would, in the fullness of time, make a formal proposal to the clergy, wardens and vestry.    So, we decided to buy a single Episcopal Church flag to hang above the Myers Street entrance.  Much deliberation went in to deciding what size would be appropriate.  Eventually, but not until after the Presiding Bishop had come and gone (and not through the Myers Street door), the flag was hung.  It was too small.  It was always wrapped around the pole.  And it molded.  It was decided that the appropriate steps should be taken to consider moving this flag, once cleaned, to the flagpole on the church lawn, under the American flag that flew there 24/7.  This only served to call to the attention of the Junior Warden, that the American flag was not suitably illuminated during the night time.  Alas.

Recently, (actually, I believe it was around Quinquagesima back when we still had Quinquagesima) the Memorial Committee, asked the Arts and Architecture Committee to elect one from our number to represent us on their committee for the purpose of recommending memorial gifts.  This we did.  We sent a fine churchwoman with the recommendation that numerous small memorial gifts received be combined into a memorial fund to be used for the purchase of a significant gift, thus avoiding the further accumulation of engraved bud vases and brass plaques.

St. Swithin’s has no bell.  I remembered the beautiful free-standing bell tower at my previous parish, which I dared mention.  I had some dear friends from there send pictures of it which I showed (electronically speaking) to A & A.

Discussions are now underway to consider whether such a thing should not properly be called a cote and would it not be a great temptation to young vandals.

I will probably tender my resignation to A & A before Epiphany next year, since I have had one:  I was right when I decided not to ever again serve on  committees.

Below are the pictures of the beautiful tower at St. Alban’s.  It has never been called a cote and it has never been vandalized.