The first time I heard the truck coming, it rather took me aback. It seems so odd to hear that tune floating up a small street in Scotland -- perhaps because I am (to many Brits) a Yank, which is a more generic term for Americans here than it is in Georgia, where I was decidedly not a Yank.
Still, there is some truth in the song title, because I have come to town. While I don't wear a feather in my hat -- I don't much care for hats, except in bitter cold weather -- I do have good lips and know how to wear my lipstick. This has not escaped the notice of the ladies and girls of Armadale.
We celebrated Communion yesterday, formally at the morning service and less formally at the monthly evening service. While I followed the general form for the Lord's Supper in the Church of Scotland, I also used bits that I brought with me from the States. In the Presbyterian Church USA, as in many other denominations, this was observed as World Communion Sunday, the Sunday in which we note that churches around the world all observe communion at the same time.
Odd thing -- that concept had not been heard of in Armadale. Nor was it anywhere mentioned in any of the Church of Scotland information I viewed during the week. It would seem that World Communion Sunday may not be as "world" as I had always thought. Still, we shared in the Supper yesterday and because Yankee Doodle had come to Armadale, the good folks of this town are now part of the tradition. We sang "I Come with Joy," a more recent hymn that truly rejoices in the family meal. This was, from many reports, the first time that this church had experienced a celebratory Communion as opposed to a funerary one.
It was just after the evening service, as I was greeting participants at the door, that one lady went out saying, "Well, that was different." I had to laugh, because when I say that, I know that I have not yet made up my mind whether or not I liked something. I have a strong suspicion that it probably meant all of that and perhaps more. Still, it was a good evening, a good day. And around the world, the faithful are celebrating communion with one another this Monday, whether we are around a table or not.
