The folks off to the side.

Friday nights at the club were a weekly tradition. Although called “informal night,” the attires were as well thought out as the people. A good time was had by all, I they often said, but at the end of the evening the staff were allowed to relax in a room off to the side. One of the members realized this and went and joined them. Conversations about sailing and tennis gave way to the Yankees and funny mishaps some of them made during work that night. Unlike the other, this was a room with air to breath. It was truly informal, and the member finally felt like he belonged.

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The Science Center had become a centerpiece of the city’s cultural resurgence. Because of dedicated staff and committed volunteers, and fundraisers like the one he was attending, the center was enjoying great success. While mingling with the animals, the patrons feasted on BBQ and beer while dancing throughout the night to lively music. Out of the corner of his eye, one of the guests noticed the staff dancing off to the side, almost out of sight. Knowing many of them well, he strolled over and joined in. It was the same music, but a different dance.

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It was one of New York’s premier parishes, and they were delighted to host the Archbishop of Canterbury. After the eight o’clock service, while standing at the doorway greeting the congregants, the Archbishop noticed men and women entering a door off to the side, down the alley, into the parish. Unlike with the people he was greeting, their hunger was visible. Learning that they were part of the parish’s homeless ministry, the Archbishop asked to go visit them before the next service. Reluctantly, the rector ushered him to the basement where the important guest joined the line for breakfast. To him, they were the important guests. After the meal, he celebrated communion with toast and juice, and, without judgment, he turned to the Rector as they made their way back upstairs for the next service and asked, “At which communion do you think our Lord was more at home?”