tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256576573761778510.post7569013372122422108..comments2023-08-15T03:15:12.607-05:00Comments on Povey Prattle: Routine and HabitJ. Michael Poveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17835759800684119909noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256576573761778510.post-53449353016474787382012-12-24T12:01:12.008-05:002012-12-24T12:01:12.008-05:00When it became impossible to park anywhere near St...When it became impossible to park anywhere near St Stephen's without a long and painful walk back to the church I, too, dropped out. It annoyed me that all the nearby spaces had been taken earlier by Sunday School staff and choir members and the only two "handicapped" spaces were also early goners. So I stopped going. Of course I could easily attend the Saturday services, but since being retired I seldom remember what day it is, which includes Saturdays, and I don't feel the least bit guilty! I was born into a clergy family where I came to view it as the "family business" and living in a rectory was like "living over the store" - always at everyones' beck and call, and I resented every bit of my part in it! When I went to business school in NYC I attended services in the church that my father had steered me to as being the most convenient to where I lived, and felt guilty when I didn't go. Some years later when I married he steered us to another parish that was "convenient" and we became active there, but since I was still working long hours I resented that, too.<br />Years after that when I returned upstate he was still an active minister and I was expected to show up in a pew every Sunday, come what may. More years later after becoming totally unchurched I found the Episcopal church, which suited me very well and I became voluntarily re-activated in every sense - but now I can't find a place to park and - again -I don't miss it. Nor do I feel the least bit guilty. I think I've done my time and I deserve a rest.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com