“Joseph,” Allison said, “you have an uncanny ability to ask potentially embarrassing questions.”
Cathy added, “Joseph, some things shouldn’t be asked.”
Eric let out a tremendous laugh of good humor. “Cathy and Allison, Joseph asked a legitimate question. He wants to know details about his future stepfather. He’s entitled to an answer. But Cathy, what we’re about to discuss must be strictly confidential. I need your solemn promise to keep things within this family.”
Cathy looked directly into Eric’s eyes without any hint of evasion. “I solemnly promise. Everything’s within this family and this family only.”
“Even if you and Joseph decide one day not to be romantically involved?” Allison asked.
Cathy held up a hand to keep Joseph quiet. “Joseph, your mom asked a legitimate question, even though I think we’re inextricably bound.”
“Good word,” Joseph said.
Shifting her gaze to Allison, Cathy stated, “The promise will be kept under all circumstances.”
Eric began. “I was a major during my last battle; Buckshot was a colonel. He has a great talent for organization, interacting with the military and political bureaucracy, and running interference for those of us who serve on, shall we say, the front lines. I had a talent for direct action, for leading others into and out of battle. I was a highly trained and potent lethal weapon, like the members of my teams. The relatively few people with my talents work better under combat conditions than behind the lines in an office. The Army tries to assign soldiers to positions best fitting their talents and the objectives of the unit.”
“Reverend Jameson,” Cathy asked, “were you in Delta Force?”
“Yes and no. While my teams and I technically were in Delta Force, we were much more specialized.”
“Eric, why don’t you give us a more detailed explanation, at least to your comfort level,” Allison suggested.
“Teams like the ones I formed operate at the edges of conflicts. We carry out missions requiring warriors who can dirty their hands to get the results this country needs.” Eric took a deep breath. “If the general population ever found out what we do, and how we accomplish our missions, the resultant uproar would significantly damage this country, which is why I don’t want any part of this conversation made public.”
“Why did you leave the Army, doing something you must have been good at, and something you probably enjoyed?” Joseph asked.
“I enjoyed what I had been doing too much. The allure of combat consumed me; I never felt more alive than when I was in battle.”
Joseph quoted Hemingway. “There is no hunting like the hunting of man, and those who have hunted armed men long enough and liked it never care for anything thereafter.”
“Hemingway had a good insight,” Eric said.
“Let’s change the subject,” Joseph said.
“About time,” Allison said.
“Even so,” Joseph asked, “in view of the pending nuptials, what should I call you? Dad, Reverend Eric, what?”
“Whatever you’re comfortable with,” Eric said.
“For now, I like Reverend Eric.”
“Sounds good to me.”
“One more thing,” Joseph said, “because we’ve come this far.”
“There’s always one more thing with you, Joseph,” Cathy said.
“Cathy can call my future stepfather Reverend Eric, at least within the family. What should she call you, Mother? Ms. Stevens sounds too formal.”
“Within the family, Cathy, why don’t you simply call me Allison? When other people are present, Ms. Stevens would be appropriate until you’re a few years older.”
“Sounds good to me, Allison,” Cathy agreed.
“My turn now,” Allison continued. “I need to ask you two something.”
Cathy spoke quickly. “No, Allison, Joseph and I are not having sex, either the old-fashioned way, orally, or by hand jobs. And when we do decide to have sex, we’ll use appropriate protection. Does my answer set your mind at ease?”
“I am relieved, because Joseph can be beyond persistent. I’m counting on you to be the adult.”
“Allison,” Cathy said, “we won’t rush into anything.”
“See, Mom,” Joseph said, “we got it under control. You don’t have to worry.”
Cathy shook her head. “Mothers worry, and your mother should worry a lot about you.” She looked at Allison. “I’ll help you with the worrying.”
“Just what I need,” Joseph said.
“In all seriousness, Allison and Reverend Eric,” Cathy said, “Allison can probably pay what Joseph needs for college and graduate school. I’ll need great grades to get scholarships for college and post-graduate studies because my grandparents don’t have a lot of money. I don’t want to be diverted by sex, much less a pregnancy.”
“Time out.” Eric waited until silence prevailed in the room. “Cathy, neither you nor Joseph will ever need to worry about funds for your education. It will be my privilege to see you go as far as you can. Work hard; the money will be there when you need it.” Eric paused. “Cathy, the money will be available for your education even if you’re not involved with Joseph in the future.”
“Wow,” Joseph said.
“Double wow,” Cathy said.
Allison put on her lawyer’s face. “Joseph, Cathy. To reiterate, what has been said in the family today, stays in this family. Understood?”
“Yes, Mother,” Joseph said.
“My lips are sealed,” Cathy said.
Eric used his iPhone to call Reverend Wright.
“Eric, you caught me as I was about to leave the office early. How may I help you? Are there any problems with the joining of your congregation and Reverend Stockman’s church?”
“No, plans for our first combined worship service this Sunday are well underway. Both congregations are working together without much friction. I hope you and the bishop will be able to attend.”
“We wouldn’t miss it. So what else is on your mind?”
“Allison Stevens has agreed to marry me.”
“Congratulations. When will the ceremony take place?”
“This Sunday at the end of our worship service.”
“Who will officiate?”
“When we finish our call, I’ll ask Big Al to conduct the ceremony.”
“I expect he’ll be happy to join you and Ms. Stevens in Holy Matrimony.”
“I’ll let you know if there’s problem.”
“I’ll stand ready to help.”
“Thank you.”
Eric called Big Al, hoping his cell phone was charged.
“Brother Eric, how may I help you live better in God’s kingdom?”
“You can marry Allison and me.”
“She’s ready to make an honest man out of you?”
“Finally.”
“When do you want the ceremony?”
“This Sunday, at the end of the formal worship service.”
“That’s quick,” Big Al said.
“It’s the earliest my best man and his wife can be here. He’ll be shipping out soon.”
“One of your military friends?”
“Yes, General Malcolm Bingham.”
“I don’t think you need any pre-marital counseling, do you?”
“No, but I’ll look to you for support as time goes by.”
“Let’s get the ceremony outlined tomorrow at the church.”
“Great idea.”
CHAPTER 27
Sunday, 05 October
Eric looked over the combined congregations from Aldersgate and Ebenezer United Methodist Churches. Miz Lizbeth, Jackson, Sister Ruth, and Cathy occupied Miz Lizbeth’s pew. Worshipers filled the other pews in the sanctuary, including the balcony. Ushers from both churches had placed chairs in every available space. Eric hoped no one from the local volunteer fire department would complain about the crowded conditions, although the ushers had left sufficient room along the central ais
le and walls to allow emergency exits. Big Al stood behind the Gospel pulpit.
“I have the enormous pleasure of welcoming all of you, my brothers and sisters in Christ, to this combined worship service of congregants from the two Methodist churches in Vickery. On behalf of my congregation at Ebenezer,” Big Al turned to Eric, “I express our great thanks to Aldersgate for providing us a place to worship until we rebuild our church.” He returned his gaze to the audience. “I also want to thank our district superintendent, Reverend Paul Wright, and the bishop of the North Georgia United Methodist Conference, Reverend Dr. Jacob Lyon, for being here today.” Big Al pointed to the front row before him. “Fortunately, they were alerted to get here early enough to claim the front row seats reserved for them.” He next pointed to the front row in front of Eric. “The ruggedly handsome Army officer and the beautiful woman beside him are General Malcolm Bingham and his wife, Meredith. The primary reason for their presence with us will be revealed in due time.
“Our Scripture for today comes from the entire Thirteenth Chapter of St. Paul’s First Epistle to the Corinthians. We know this portion of Holy Scripture as the love chapter:
‘If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love’.
“Why you might ask, did Brother Eric and I choose this chapter as our Scripture lesson for today? Although some of you may connect the assault on Ebenezer and our parsonage with Christ’s imperative for us to love our enemies, we selected the passage for two other reasons. First, to highlight the great love the Aldersgate congregation expresses by insisting we worship with them. Brother Eric will have more to say on this point in a few minutes.” Big Al looked at the district superintendent and bishop. “Brother Martin once said the most segregated places in America are our churches on Sunday mornings. Jesus and St. Paul instruct us to be of one mind and one body in a spirit of unity. Perhaps, we have overcome Brother Martin’s observation for this time and this place. May the love of Christ prevail among us during and after these trying times.”
The bishop stood. “Let Reverend Wright and me pronounce fervent Amens. Although you have been joined together in worship today through tragedy, we look forward to the time when black, white, Hispanic, oriental, and all ethnic Methodist churches no longer exist separately under the big umbrella of Methodism. We urge you to keep in mind how your behavior and your joining together may serve as a model for our Conference and, indeed, for the entirety of the United Methodist Church. I believe sufficient evidence exists in the New Testament, and even in the Hebrew Scriptures, to show that God wishes—no, God demands—unity, not division. May we make it so.” Bishop Lyon sat to applause, first scattered, then reaching a crescendo.
“Thank you, Bishop Lyon,” Big Al said, “and thank you, brothers and sisters, for your approval. After our special music and collection of our tithes and offerings, Brother Eric will have some words for us, and I will reveal the second reason for today’s Scripture lesson.”
The service progressed as Big Al outlined and Eric went to the center of the chancel. “Let me add my words of thanks for what is happening here today. You have already heard most of the sermonizing for today. You will hear a lot more on future Sundays. Today, however, I want to discuss some operational details. Our district superintendent and bishop endorse our combined worship services. The SPRCs of both churches approve, as do other relevant committees. Because our finance committees rightly expressed some concerns about the expenses involved in what we doing, we’ll explore various options.
“With regard to our Sunday worship services, Big Al, our combined SPRCs, and I suggest we proceed as follows. First, we’ll have an early worship service at nine o’clock, Sunday school classes thereafter, and an eleven o’clock worship service. I will preach at one service with Big Al reading Scripture and taking care of the announcements. We’ll reverse roles at the other service. Most Sundays, Big Al and I will preach on the same topic, using the same Scriptures. Importantly, we will release no information about who will be preaching at each service. Ms. Mary Johnson has been sworn to secrecy and will not reveal the schedule. Anyone from Ebenezer who helps Ms. Johnson with the office work will be sworn similarly. We do not want one worship service to be for Aldersgate and the other for Ebenezer. We’re joining our congregations, not hosting separate worship services in the same building.” Eric smiled. “Brothers and sisters from Ebenezer will find our worship services somewhat shorter than those to which they’re accustomed. Aldersgate brothers and sisters may experience the reverse when Big Al preaches.
“John Carlyle will be the primary music director, with valued assistance from the choir director at Ebenezer. The four of us will meet frequently to ensure we have a full integration of music with the sermons.” Eric pointed to the choir. “As you can see, our choirs already have combined. Stay tuned for outstanding sacred musical offerings. Hopefully, Big Al’s and my sermons will approach the same quality.
“The Sunday School classes will be combined. If any class becomes too large to be effective, we will split it into smaller classes.” Eric looked at Big Al.
“Brother Eric and I will not tolerate separate black and white Sunday School classes. Jesus doesn’t want separation; neither do we. If any class tends to become majority white or black, a teacher of the minority race will be assigned to the class. Please do not disappoint Jesus, Brother Eric, me, or yourselves. Instead, concentrate your minds on how much fun we’ll have.”
“Our traditional Wednesday night prayer meetings will sometimes directly and purposefully invoke the Holy Spirit for comfort and healing.” Eric paused before smiling at the congregation. “I ask you to excuse me for a few minutes.” Eric left the sanctuary by the door to the right of the choir loft.
“The choir,” Big Al said, “will give us a few minutes of fine music before we continue with this service. Although you’re free to leave with our blessings, I urge you to remain seated for the next big event.”
The choir presented two pieces and remained standing as Eric, wearing his Army dress uniform, reentered the sanctuary from the side door and marched to the front of the chancel. The similarly outfitted General Bingham and his wife stood with Eric, as did Raymond Taliaferro and Charles Thomas. A few people gasped at the sight of the two uniformed men. Jackson rolled Miz Lizbeth to a position opposite Eric. Sister Ruth and Cathy stood beside Miz Lizbeth. The pianist and organist began the classical wedding march from Mendelsohn. Everyone stood as Allison, radiant in her wedding gown, and Joseph, dressed in a new suit, came through the front door of the sanctuary and proceeded down the central aisle to join the other members of the wedding party. When Allison reached her destination, Eric stood beside her, Bingham at his side.
“Please be seated,” Big Al said. “Well, now, you understand the reason why I read the love chapter, don’t you?” Applau
se rippled through the congregation. “General Bingham and Brother Eric have been friends since they roomed together at the West Point Military Academy. They truly are brothers-in-arms, comrades in difficult battles on behalf of this country. Sister Meredith Bingham has long urged Brother Eric to end his self-imposed bachelorhood, a condition soon to be rectified. Miz Lizbeth serves as the bride’s matron of honor.” Big Al took a deep breath. “Who gives this woman, Allison Stevens, in marriage to Eric Robert Jameson?”
“I, Joseph Mansfield, give my mother in marriage to Reverend Eric.” Joseph went to stand beside Cathy.
Big Al continued. “Sister Allison and Brother Eric, we pray your love for each other will prevail and bring you great happiness. Our Lord and Savior, by His presence and acts, approved and sanctified marriage, a holy estate.” Big Al conducted the remainder of the service by memory. He ended with a modification of the traditional closing, “You may now kiss each other.”
After a prolonged kiss and embrace, Eric and Allison walked down the central aisle and left the sanctuary. Big Al had the final words. “The new couple and the wedding party will be in the Fellowship Hall in a few minutes. Please join us there for a copious amount of wedding food, including excellent meat and slaw from Sweet Gum Barbecue and Fish Lodge. And don’t forget the wedding cake and ice cream. Come one, come all.”
“Traveller?” Deputy Rice asked when his disposable cell phone rang.
“General Lee’s horse,” Whitfield gave the coded response.
“Ready for more orders, Commander.”
“We need to talk in person.”
“Where and when?”
“Are you on duty tonight?”
“No, Commander, I have the weekend off.”
“Good. Drive your car to the intersection of Stonebridge and Whitfield roads this evening. Be there a few minutes before 1900 hours. You’ll see a gate on the dirt road leading to the barn about two hundred yards away from the northeast side of the intersection. The gate will be unlocked. Open the gate, drive your car through. Make sure you close the gate before continuing to the barn where I’ll be with some of the High Council members. We’ll be safe and secure on property I still own.”
Comfort and Affliction Page 21
