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Although I'm a believer, church really isn't my thing. Maybe it's because I'm single and I feel a bit alone there; I did enjoy attending when I was married with step kids in tow, and we went as a family.
Harl is the pastor of our local Lutheran Church and I'm their "unofficial" church photographer. We've been acquaintences for years and I've enjoyed the few deep philosophical conversations we've had. A while back he joined our local fly club, but he immediately found that his church duties were too demanding to allow a little fishing recreation, especially since we southern Arizonans usually have to travel a bit to reach decent trout water.
A couple of years ago, I made a deal with him. I'd attend church services if he'd set aside a little time to learn to fly fish.
Time passed, without my setting foot in his church, except to occasionally snap the annual intern photograph or a wedding. I recently learned that Harl is retiring in a few weeks so, having to act quickly, I surprised him by attending church services last Sunday.
Hmmmm. His sermon was about the need for organized church. An intellectual man, he presented the case thoughtfully and logically. When he spoke of those who say, "I don't need to attend a church; my church is the Great Outdoors", I said to myself, "Yup, that's me" and found it humorous and perhaps a bit more than coincidental that I should hear that.
While at church, our fishing trip came to me. I have two fishing buddies that Harl would enjoy meeting. We'd have to go somewhere where Harl would be certain to hook up AND where the fishing was true quality. Immediately, the idea of a four day trip to the San Juan River came to mind.
After services I did two things. I signed the guest book, and in the column marked "Church you attend" I wrote in "The Trinity River".
I also told Harl of my revelation to take him to the Juan.
Harl called me today and laughingly said, "What kind of church is the Trinity River?"
I replied that he was obviously talking about me during his sermon, and that's where I do most of my praying. It was all good-natured and it looks as though we'll be fishing sometime soon.
Life is good.
I'm looking forward to attending my NorCal church in the autumn.
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