Working in a Cloister… NOT!

After re-reading my musings on things that are different working here at the Church, I realized some people might get the wrong impression about the atmosphere here—that we walk around all the time chanting “Ohmmm…” or reciting scriptural verses, or witnessing to one another in the hallways. So just to balance things out, here’s a sample of the lighter side of working in our group.

You get to hear about Little People in Foster’s Head. At our off-site, several team members introduced themselves by playing the guitar and singing. I fully expect to see Rob’s original song “Little People in My Head” on iTunes sometime soon—if not on the charts. Serious dude, that was awesome. And Pete better remain your backup singer. Seriously, I was so impressed with the diversity of talents and depth of personality that came out in our last off-site. So much variety, so much talent not just in design, but in Living.

You can wonder why Gilbert nicknamed Jason “Debs.” What’s up with that?

As Tadd once noted, “Lunch is very important to our group.” I’m among the less lunchy crowd myself, but many of us get together often to enjoy food and conversation, whether it’s at “Street Meat” (a taco stand a few blocks away), Thaifoon at the Gateway, Crown Burger across the street, or on rarer occasions Ahh Sushi. Those like Rob or myself, who have had a “bad experience” with raw fish can enjoy Teriyaki chicken or other wimpy cooked food, though this does expose them to public derision from the raw fish eaters on the team (and those likely fakers who only pretend to like the raw stuff in order to impress Tadd).

Laser tag, rock climbing, Dwight Night, and the WII. We have been known on occasion to get together for no other purpose than to have a good time. True, no alcohol is involved, but that’s never been a draw for me anyway.

Again, I’m sure my team mates could think of more to say. So, if you’re wondering what it’s like to work here, it’s both uplifting and fun. That’s a good combination.

posted by ted on Friday, Jun 29, 2007

Hymns of the Re-Organization

In the LDS Church, each congregation is called a ward. Wards are combined into stakes (see Isaiah 54, especially verse 2). With few exceptions, both wards and stakes are geographically based, enclosing a specific area exclusive of any other ward or stake. When a ward or stake gets too large (and, less frequently, when they get too small) a re-organization of the stake is necessary, with boundary re-alignments, new wards, and so forth. In a growing area like Saratoga Springs, UT where I live, such re-organizations have become an annual event. Last night our stake was re-organized, so in honor of the occasion, a member of our stake presidency read the following list of possible hymn selections for the occasion.

These are all real hymns in the LDS hymnbook.

• Sing We Now At Parting
• I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go
• Nay, Speak No Ill (for those dislike the counsel of the previous hymn)
• The Happy Day Has Come At Last (probably a reference to the cramped conditions that result when 700-800 people show up for meeting in a chapel designed for 600)
• Now Let Us Rejoice

What was actually on the program:

• Today While the Sun Shines (work with a will)
• Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel

posted by ted on Monday, Jun 11, 2007