Unexpected Places, Unexpected Blessings

On Shrove Tuesday, Emmanuel Episcopal held its annual pancake supper. Every year the community of Covington looks forward to the all you can eat pancakes. I love mingling through the tables, greeting familiar faces, and meeting new people. This year I spent some time with the band Close to You—a Carpenters tribute band. Lisa, the lead singer, asked me if I would bring ashes to the concert the following evening as she wouldn’t be able to be at the service. She then turned to her bandmates and asked them if they would also like to receive the imposition of ashes following the concert. One said yes, one said no thank you, and one said, “I respectfully decline.”

Mr. “I respectfully decline” later took a picture of Chris and I on his phone. (Stay with me, this is actually part of the story.) I asked him to text it to me and he did. Wednesday morning, I started receiving texts from his number with pictures of food. A text followed explaining, “I meant to send these to my husband. Sorry!” I responded, “No problem. Happy Valentine’s to you and your husband.”

Wednesday evening, I brought the ashes to the theater intending to impose ashes following the performance. Instead, word got out I had them, and several people approached me as they waited in line for the doors to open. It was kind of like a pop-up ashes to go! Following the concert (which was very good I might add), I went downstairs to meet those in the band who had requested ashes. We chatted for a few minutes and then I imposed the ashes. As I was getting ready to leave, Mr. “I respectfully decline” approached me with tears streaming down his face and asked if he was too late to get ashes. As I was imposing the ashes his voice cracked as he said, “I have had nothing to do with the church in several decades. They were horrible to me when I came out. I didn’t think I would ever receive another sacramental touch. Thank you.” We embraced and I whispered in his ear, “You are a beloved child of God.” As we parted he gripped my hand again and said, “Bless you.”

Oh, I definitely was blessed Mr. “I respectfully decline.” Thank you.