(from my daily notes back then)
Anonymous Young Woman: –
“Why are you putting those signs up in front of the church? – I was going to park there!”
Anonymous Church Pastor: –
“This Morning we have a funeral, and we need this space for the hearse and mourners”
AYW:-
“But I always park here – it’s close to the School and the Coffee Shop!
ACP: –
“Well, I’m sorry, you can’t today – perhaps you’d like to park in the church car park just there.”
AYW:-
“I don’t know why you seem to think you can take over the whole street – I like parking there – it’s convenient!”
ACP:-
“But it is not on the street, it is off the street by the church’s front door, and it is church property – for church use – we don’t mind you parking there on days when we are not using the grounds, but this morning we have a funeral, so we need to use our grounds for that purpose.”
AYW:-
“Well, that is arrogant and grossly unfair! No wonder people are stopping coming to church anymore! … I’ve got rights too you know … I pay my taxes – I am a local … …”
ACP:-
“Calm down, calm down –
Taxes have nothing to do with it, and neither does where you were born. This space is owned by the members of this congregation (and you are not one of them). Sadly, this congregation has a funeral here today.
It is sad and hard time for the family, and we can make it easier for them if we don’t get in their way.
This off-street area is the place where the hearse and the immediate family park their cars …out the front of the church.”
“I have said you are welcome to park in the car park – it’s only 5 metres away – I’ll even open the gate for you.”
AYW:-
“Humph! You can keep your church! “
(stomp … stomp … stomp … brrrrmmmmm ……..)
ACP
“Sigh!”
Foxings 