A Fete Worse Than Death

(And Other Small Church Matters)

Pastor Michael of Ainsworth Baptist Church has taken several months away from his duties to enjoy a well-earned Sabbatical and so Sister Marjory Steeple, stalwart of the church, upholder of traditional values and all that is seemly and decent, has taken it upon herself to write regular letters to Pastor Michael to keep him up to date regarding what is going on during his absence. Sister Marjory also takes the opportunity in her correspondence to make helpful suggestions as to how the good pastor might best improve the running of the church upon his return, and ?nds it unexpectedly therapeutic to o?-load some of her own personal problems at the same time. These problems mainly revolve around her non-church going husband, George, and his unnerving obsession with his own funeral arrangements, their wayward son Christopher, and a blu? old cousin called Murgatroyd Thrip who is diligently (and against all the odds) following his calling to be a maverick missionary in far ?ung corners of the world.

Strangely enough Pastor Michael does not seem to appreciate Sister Marjorys sel?ess sacri?ces and insightful suggestions quite as he should.