Balcony "Parsons"

I am a balcony person at my Church.  But I am surrounded by a number of balcony parsons.  I took note of them Sunday during the Second Sunday in Lent.  Nicodemus, as a sermon topic, is interesting and mysterious, but so are the people in the balcony at First Church.   For one, there is Barbara.  Unlike Nicodemus she does not profess her faith in secret to a select audience at night.  She lives it out.  Her husband was a minister until his death from pancreatic cancer a few years ago.  Although I knew her husband and what a fine minister he was, I never realized what a fine minister Barbara is.  When I announced my retirement at another Church, she was the first with a note wishing me well and inviting me to visit First Church.  She took my wife and me by the hand and showed us to her Sunday School class.  She introduced us to everyone in sight.  She is a true balcony parson, caring for the flock who land on that high perch each Sunday.

I could name other balcony parsons, like Sam who sits on the opposite side of the balcony.  Well, someone has to keep that group of birds nested!  Sam retired after about 80 semesters as a campus minister at Meredith College.  He deserves a rest, but he can often be seen out of the balcony still busy about discipleship, mission, and fellowship of the Church.  He has not retired from being a follower of Jesus. Since the First Church balcony wraps around the three sides of the sanctuary, I do not know which one is the “right wing” parson and which is the “left wing” parson, but I guess it doesn’t matter as long as they are following the same leader!

I am sure there is a “center section parson” as well, but I have not gotten to know all those folks yet.  I know there is a superior court judge who sits there and he looks very judicial on his pew.  Folks in the center section look rather subdued.  Maybe it’s because they are under the perusal of the good judge, or maybe they are shell shocked from the balcony organ pipes just behind them which are used only during the third verse of most hymns.  The front organ pipes carry most of the burden of the hymns, but if you’re not expecting it, you can be moved to fly from the perch on the third verse. I wonder if there might be a center section parson who will enjoy ministry to the hearing impaired.

I am still a balcony person and I don’t know if I want all the responsibility of being a balcony parson.  I have a feeling both Barbara and Sam would ordain me as another balcony parson in a minute.  If the rest of the flock is like I am, they need all the help they can get!