Visit of Bishop Weaver

♦    WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN was the music Dan, a wonderful eighteen-year-old member of the Oxford UMC, sent me, asking if I would play a trombone duet with him when I went to preach there a few weeks ago.  The only problem was that I had "lost my lip".... (I know, some of you think bishops have too much lip)  that is, my lip muscles were not strong enough to play much.  The other problem was that this talented young musician had written his own jazzy arrangement, which was a little too difficult for an out-of-practice-bishop to play.  But I was willing (or crazy) enough to try.  I practiced every night (my wife and dog were very longsuffering.... even though they retreated to the farthest corner of the house).  Our kind neighbors never called to complain (thankfully it was cold and all our windows were shut).

    When I got to the church, Dan suggested that we might march down the aisle leading the choir in the processional.  It was then that I had to confess.  "I'm not sure I can walk, read the music, and toot all at the same time anymore."  "Oh, that's OK," he said, "We can just stand up here at the front."  "And, I'm sorry but I don't think I can play the difficult middle part," I said.  "Oh, that's OK, I'll be glad to take that, why don't you play this easier melody line."  I was delighted (and relieved).  We had a great time and the "saints did come marching in"..."saints" in the plural... partners in ministry... young and old, talented and not so talented, with lip and without.... there we were the body of Christ, some singing, some marching, some just watching, helping each other out, each doing his part, all of us together doing our best... and God multiplying it with joy.

    When we are "called" we all must dare to risk, giving what we can, knowing that other partners in ministry will be there to help.