During a local Ash Wednesday church service, N dug around in the hymnal racks and pulled out the blank welcome cards. The pencil scrawl on one struck me as rather lonesome:
Name: “No name”
Address: “No Address”
City/State/Zip: “Washington”
Phone: “No phone”
The following checklist–turned by the presumed visitor into a true-false quiz–struck in me a melancholic chord, too:
I would like to learn more about [this church]: “false”
I have recently moved into the area: “true”
I am visiting the area for a short time: “false”
I am a student at a local university: “true”
I am a member of a church: “true”
I would appreciate a call or visit: “false”