Current Issue:
July/August 2006

DEPARTMENTS

by Charlotte Johnstone

Georgia Kendrick, a longtime member of Forbearance Church, was what one might call a “funeralist,” if one wanted to coin a word not in the English language. Unlike most people, she considered funerals to be quite fascinating social occasions replete with protocol, suitable dress and, best of all, mini-
dramas being played out among the grieving families. And she didn’t limit herself to the final services for the dearly departed among her acquaintances—she showed up for funerals for people she didn’t even know, especially if the local newspaper indicated that murder, suicide, scandal or exceptional pathos were involved. Given the ebb and flow, but mostly the ebb, of life in town, almost every week presented her with several opportunities to count herself among the mourning, dressed appropriately, of course, in one of her many tasteful all-black outfits.

Her “outings,” as she called them, were better than TV soap operas, and her all-time favorite occurred just last month, when a service for a stranger featured two faintings, much loud wailing and, as a titillating bonus, the complete collapse of the grieving young widow. Georgia clucked about that for days. Some people amuse themselves with casinos, some with extensive travel, some haunt garage sales. Georgia chose funerals—punctuation for a life that was otherwise one long run-on sentence.

How does Georgia’s church family at Forbearance feel about her funeral obsession? Can Georgia’s fondness for funerals be restrained? Find out in the July/August 2006 issue of Horizons.

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Charlotte Johnstone is a member of Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She (and the cast of Forbearance Presbyterian Church) welcomes comments. Write to her at Horizons, 100 Witherspoon St., Louisville, KY 40202-1396, or email wjohns4949@aol.com.

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Other Articles Online This Issue:

• Intelligence and Spiritual Gifts
• Ghosts of the Past—
  Race Divides That Haunt Our Schools
• Faith and Higher Education
• Education in the Church—
  No Child of God Left Behind
• Whoever Welcomes Me
• Beginning Genesis
• Dispatch from Forbearance Presbyterian Church
• Nurturing Our Faith
• Supporting Mission
• Mosaic
• Health Connections
• CCT Connection

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