Singing In the Baptist Choir (A Humorous Tale)

[Demeter]

For reasons practical, I sing in a Baptist choir--not Southern, not terribly fundie, but definitely not at all like my official UU affiliation.

Tonight was our last rehearsal before our Christmas concert--an arrangement of familiar tunes and unfamiliar words with readings and such, called a Ceremony of Candles, or some such quasi-ecumenical title.

During a discussion of the procedures of candle lighting during the performance, the choir director was discussing with the pastor the possibility of lighting the middle candle of the Advent wreath, known as the Christ candle.

No, it wasn't acceptable to light the Christ candle, he said.

What about some alternative Christ candle, she asked.

The assistant minister muttered something about "the Anti-Christ candle". Then she blushed and ducked her head.

One of the songs (written just for this cantata) is called Jesus Is Coming, and we were admonished to pronounce the final "g", so that it did not sound like "Jesus Is Comin'" which is what springs to mind if one does a lot of spirituals and gospel songs, or "Jesus is cumming" if you read a lot of fanfiction porn.

I find that UU's thinking appeals, but I have a lot more fun with the Baptists.

[rurallib]

1. Good story. Made me chuckle out loud.