Can We Talk 2

Handbell Reunion

         My church today celebrated a reunion of ex-prisoners who played hand bells through an outreach of my church. These are women who found deep meaning and purpose in making music and having fellowship together. While the rest of society looked down on them, families abandoned them, they grew together and learned a skill you can't use everywhere. It takes a lot of discipline to play the bells. They had the whole service, reading scripture, sharing testimony, thanking the leaders who had made them feel valid and loved. (For sure not the warden.)

         We had a catered lunch with them afterwards. Many of them brought family and friends. We don't have many kids on a regular basis, so seeing the little ones running around and stirring in church was welcome. We have "church in the round" for such occasions. That means round tables are set up with cloths and centerpieces, instead of rows of chairs. It makes for a more relaxed and casual atmosphere, although we're pretty casual to start.

         It was time well spent. Their music was beautiful. I didn't hear one wrong note. Some of them hadn't touched a bell in years, but they spent yesterday and 2 hours before church today, brushing up. If you've ever played hand bells, or listened to many concerts, you know it's not as easy as it looks. They love the director, now in his late 70's, who has moved out of town to a retirement home, but made the trip back for them. Volunteers from those early days were there to play with them. It was meaningful to them and to us. It probably will be the last reunion this side of Heaven. They didn't pay for hotels; volunteers gave them a place to stay, dinner last night, and breakfast today.