Jesus died.

Again.

O.K., true confessions.

I didn't go to church last Sunday. Too much jet lag. But I did go today. I arrived early and assumed my customary seat and was reading the Highland Helper when the sponsoring Elder from our Sunday School Class stopped by. FYI, the name of the class is "Living Jesus". We conversed about how long Krl and I had been away at the jobsite and during the conversation he told me they had disbanded the class while we were away.

If I want to fluff myself I would say I was the glue that held things together but that wouldn't be true. This class always seemed to be feast or famine. It would vary in attendance from six to twenty-one to twenty-four. I will be the first to admit that it was a rag tag bunch, that was why it felt so "at home". Terry and Kurt took turns directing our study although I have been told earlier there were several different couples that participated in leading the class. Krl and I began attending this class almost two years ago. With the exception of time out of town at the jobsite, I probably had one of the better attendance record of class members. The class was a varied mix of couples with a sprinkling of single males and females, a widow, and other singles attending without their spouses. Many of the class had health and or emotional issues, some were public, some were private. I will admit, in the beginning I didn't care for the class. It wasn't my choice, it was Krl's. Initially I thought that this was a gathering of God's shortfalls of creation, but before long we came to love and appreciate each person for what they contributed to the group.

To be honest, Krl and I had talked about making a change while we were at the jobsite the last six months. In fact we had discusse at length the possibility of changing churches as well as classes, but that is another story. In our class there was a couple, one of which used to be an employee of Krl's in a previous job, who had offered Krl a position which she accepted. Long story short, there were some improprieties going on at this man's work place and he had hired Krl to appease his wife who wanted someone there to police activities. Needless to say, it was not a good situation and after a brief time Krl quit. This couple never forgave her for quitting. The couple had quit attending class and we were wondering if it was because of us, and since they were charter members of the class. Krl and I would have moved rather that be a deterrent to them.

It is really bothering me that the class was dis-banded. I don't think you dis-band a class, you might merge it with another but disbanding seems wrong. It almost seems like survior, "You need to find another class, the votes have been counted!" There are a number of small issues I have. I worry for some of the class, will they move on? Will they quit coming? What happens to the class benevolent funds? Is it accounted for? Who made these decisions and at who's direction?

Could Krl and I have walked away? I don't know. Would we have many of the same misgivings that we have "having been walked away from".

I understand that many things have happened during our absence. One class member is incarcerated (for what I don't know, no one volunteered any info), other class members felt a need to change circles because of their children becoming "social age". I was told others needed to expand their scope. I don't know where I fit in this mix.

The only thing I know for sure is, "Jesus died". Again.