Thankfully I live a comfortable distance away from our lot. Walking distance, if I care to walk in that direction.
Actually, if you'll indulge me on the subject of local church groups, there is another one about the same distance in the opposite direction to the new lot under the banner of the New Testament Church of God or somesuch. A few years ago they set up a charity food thing for low-income local families, basically they got hold of unsold (though still legal) food from Marks and Spencer which otherwise would have been thrown out and people would turn up once a fortnight or so and help themselves. At first it was a great idea; we - ie Sam and me - could stock our fridge/freezer with enough food for two and it took a big load off our limited budget. Plus we got quite friendly with the church volunteers, who simply got on with the job without any preaching etc.
Anyway, as their first anniversary of this project rolled round, I got chatting to a couple of them and happened to mention, casually, that they ought to do something a bit special and they jumped at the idea. I just thought it'd be some kind of buffet thing with music and whatnot. I physically kicked myself when on the day they launched into full gospel mode, steel band, testifying, praying, the lot. After that the rot seemed to spread, slowly but inexorably: we were allowed to sit inside to await our turn at the food, instead of queueing outside as before, and they 'entertained' us with xtian rock and videos projected from their laptop. I finally drew the line when I saw, on the screen, the name Kirk Cameron appear in the opening titles of Left Behind. From then on, I would wait outside while Sam sorted out the food... which, let's be honest, was all the project was set up for in the first place.
(Of course, the situation being what it is, I haven't had any connection with them since the funeral. I haven't missed them.)
Anyway, thank you for your indulgence and patience.
Actually, if you'll indulge me on the subject of local church groups, there is another one about the same distance in the opposite direction to the new lot under the banner of the New Testament Church of God or somesuch. A few years ago they set up a charity food thing for low-income local families, basically they got hold of unsold (though still legal) food from Marks and Spencer which otherwise would have been thrown out and people would turn up once a fortnight or so and help themselves. At first it was a great idea; we - ie Sam and me - could stock our fridge/freezer with enough food for two and it took a big load off our limited budget. Plus we got quite friendly with the church volunteers, who simply got on with the job without any preaching etc.
Anyway, as their first anniversary of this project rolled round, I got chatting to a couple of them and happened to mention, casually, that they ought to do something a bit special and they jumped at the idea. I just thought it'd be some kind of buffet thing with music and whatnot. I physically kicked myself when on the day they launched into full gospel mode, steel band, testifying, praying, the lot. After that the rot seemed to spread, slowly but inexorably: we were allowed to sit inside to await our turn at the food, instead of queueing outside as before, and they 'entertained' us with xtian rock and videos projected from their laptop. I finally drew the line when I saw, on the screen, the name Kirk Cameron appear in the opening titles of Left Behind. From then on, I would wait outside while Sam sorted out the food... which, let's be honest, was all the project was set up for in the first place.
(Of course, the situation being what it is, I haven't had any connection with them since the funeral. I haven't missed them.)
Anyway, thank you for your indulgence and patience.
At the age of five, Skagra decided emphatically that God did not exist. This revelation tends to make most people in the universe who have it react in one of two ways - with relief or with despair. Only Skagra responded to it by thinking, 'Wait a second. That means there's a situation vacant.'
