VANDALISM

Both of my churches are always open. Always have been, always will be. Neither place has had any trouble that I've heard of, nor any since I've been Vicar (going on my third year now, thank you very much).

When I arrived at VC on Thursday, however, all that had changed. We have these strips of plate glass on the reredos on which we set our candles and flowers. When I came in, one of them was on the floor, in two large pieces, with a few smaller pieces scatter about. What was really odd about it though was the $20 bill tucked under the glass. It was as if someone had said, "Oops ... hope this covers the damage."

I left it at that and didn't think anything more of it. Well ... I didn't really "leave it at that," since I did pick up the glass.

So, fast forward to today. I come into church to get ready for service, and the gentleman who is the altar guild says to me, "Where did you move the wine?"

"What?"

"The wine ... it's not on the shelf. Where did you move it?"

"Um ... I didn't. Damn. Damn. DAMMIT. Somebody stole all our wine! Damn damn damn."

So I ranted for a bit and then calmed down as I realized three things:

1) We had enough reserved wine in the tabernacle to get us through communion today.
2) It was just wine ... I can get more.
3) They took the really big bottle of port wine that is absolutely NASTY TASTING. I had to smile when I thought of them trying to drink that stuff.

So, it was decided that the wine would now live in my office. And as far as the glass is concerned, yesterday's groom is in the glass business and promised me a new piece when he gets back from his honeymoon.