So Much for Conventional Wisdom

Conventional wisdom tells us that it’s young adults who are idealistic and progressive and that the older one gets, the more conservative they become. That has not been the case with my 87-year-old dad. He just keeps getting more and more liberal, open, and progressive the older he gets.

Case in point: he called me this past week to share a part of the Easter sermon his wonderful pastor, Don, had preached. Apparently, Don provides a mini worship service with communion each Tuesday morning for the folks in downtown Canton. I think the participants are mostly homeless. Or perhaps they’re part of the addiction recovery clinic across the street. Anyway, he had noticed a woman coming to the weekly service but always leaving just before communion. He made a point to finally speak to her before the service one Tuesday to make sure she knew she was invited to communion.

Turns out the woman is trans and had been made to feel less than welcomed more than once with other churches so hadn’t wanted to stir the pot. Don told her that would not be a problem for him or his church. So, that day, she stayed. And when he gave her the bread and cup, stating the usual liturgy of “broken and spilled” for her, he suddenly had the impulse to add, “Just as you are.” My dad’s voice broke as he got to this part of the story.

So much for conventional wisdom …