a priest, a rabbi, a minister and a preacher log into a zoom room...

"What are you going on about this time?"

It's a Zoom series I've enrolled in called Clergy Talks that meets on Wednesday afternoons. I had thought about going to them last year, but I don't know that I did more than once.

"So, they get together and discuss the similarities and differences between their religions?"

Not hardly, dear! Let me introduce the players. Going counterclockwise from bottom right, that's Michael Chaney, Robert Haas, Dave Messner, and Billy Hester. That's in order of their clerical titles, by the way.

"Okay, I can understand why you went to at least the first 'episode' of this series. I know Reverend Billy from your church and I know Rabbi Haas from a few comedy shows and those tri-faith services."

That's correct. So, knowing two of the four, I signed up for the 13-week series. I very nearly didn't go to the first one, but I'm glad I did. It was a safe haven to discuss the day's events that I had just fled from. They had not been aware of the riot at the Capitol until I 'spoke' of it. The conversation then dealt with answering my question to them.

"Which was?"

What are y'all's perceptions of being able to have these discussions and their worth to you? There ensued a discussion about 'hot' media versus 'cool' media, with one requiring interaction and the other not so. However, there was an answer that evolved, too.

"And that would be...?"

The beauty of learning through dialogue back and forth, either between the four of them or with 'viewers' like myself. The downside of using technology is the loss of being topical in their sermons, which are all recorded several days prior to release to their congregations. For example, Billy's 'Sunday' service is actually finalized on Friday and then waits to 'premiere' at the usual time that Asbury Memorial holds church.

"I see. And just what is it that you get out of these Zoom sessions?"

Quite frankly, it's the live interaction with them. Well, that's mostly with Rabbi Haas in the 'chat', but frequently he will bring up my topics to the others to involve them, too.

"It looks like y'all are just talking about cartoons right here, and rather old ones at that."

Well, that's what was being discussed by them at the time, so I was just trying to be topical! LOL! This photo, by the way, was from the session on January 13. That's when I started loosening up around them; they were already pretty casual with each other.

"Very nice for you! As the only daughter of four kids, I know you have hung out with guys your entire life. I'm glad this quartet has welcomed you into their midst."

I think they welcome my female perspective. The third session followed the Inauguration and I brought up some points they had missed - like the color of the tie and the coat of the newly-sworn in President and Vice President. Plus, I gave my perspective on the meaning of a woman in power at the White House. I'm so glad the Haas man 'talked' to me about that! He liked my choice of words, too, about earlier events, regarding the need for "debate, not debacle." I must say, I do enjoy trotting out my vocabulary for this Zoom!

"Well, you can thank your Grandpa for that. Such wordplay you and he once shared!"

So true, so true. I am sure that repartee here is part of the attraction I have for Clergy Talks. For instance, on 27 January, the topic was 'ambition', but it quickly became a lesson in semantics, with 'altruism', 'goal', and 'aspiration' all having a turn in the discussion. Pretty meaty for a talk that strayed initially onto horseshoe crabs, platypus, and possums! As I told them, "Y'all are a hoot! Proof positive that clergy are 'just folks', too!" Rabbi Haas really liked that observation!

"I'm sure he did, and the others as well. That's akin to your gratitude when a student acknowledged you as a person with a life, not just as a teacher."

Hey, nice segue! The next week's session on 3 February was focused on higher education! David had just helped his kid apply for college and was having 'launch anxiety' about the situation. So, the foursome of aging white males were discussing such things, including the anxiety not only of kids leaving the nest, but also, during this year of pandemic and lost jobs, of kids having to return to their parents' homes to leave. Of course, I weighed in with my tale of living briefly with Mama after I PCS'ed from the Navy, where I had most def lived as a liberated woman. So David Messner read that and the topic opened up for include life changes for military folks!

"Well, it probably was not a topic that touched home for them. I doubt any of those men served in the military. Only Billy and Michael are of an age that they could have grown kids that went that route, but neither said aught of that."

No, they didn't, but they did get onto "Planet of the Apes" and possibly re-enacting that for the next week's session! So, I had tuned in on February 10, eager to see costumes... but Billy - no surprise! - was the only one to do so, donning a wig as "Nova" near the session's end. Perhaps the others don't have easy access to a theatrical closet full of props and clothing? Probably not!

"Don't forget! Chaney was barefoot! And David kidded about them being 'the monkeys you got!' at the top of the show."

True, all true, but I had hoped for a bit more fun. After all, this quickly turned into a talk about Valentine's Day, so I nearly tuned out. But then I'd posed a question, then rephrased it when it was misunderstood, to ask if they felt, as married men, that their wives would expect them to talk on that topic and would be disappointed if they did not. Billy was the only one who said he'd be afraid to find out! The other three kind of hemmed and hawed, and the topic was changed to memories of that 'holiday' as a child and the paper valentines at school.

"That sounds like it might have been rather fun! You know, reminiscing about the old days of childhood, before you had to be coupled up to get a valentine's day card or memento. Not that the day was ever a big deal to you. As you used to tell folks, only half-jokingly, you expect your husband to treat you like every day is special, not just on the commercially promoted ones!"

Yeah. I must admit, I get that from Mama, who got it from Grandma. Unlike them, I never had a passion for roses. Give me daisies or pansies any day!

"Yes, dear. Are you about done here?"

Yep, I just want to say a couple of things about the session this week! They had another Unitarian - which is what Dave is - as a guest. Kate Landis has a new book out, so they were helping her promote it. It was Ash Wednesday, so Father Chaney was marked up, but the others were not.

"Well, of course the rabbi wouldn't be. I don't know if Unitarians do so... but Billy was waiting for the service that night." 

No bout a doubt it, as my Daddy would say. LOL! Let's see, where was I? Hmmm... so, the topic was mental health, with each person weighing in with their life. I talked of making sure I vary my meals, to stay out of a rut, and incorporating different video events into my days. I even brought up the SBHF and the upcoming film festival!

"Good for you! That showed you were trying to stay in your groove thing, the schedule of culture that you've been enjoying for years now!"

Hey, I'm trying. Like the four clergy, I'm not yet eligible for the vaccine, so indulging virtually is in my best interest. One thing for sure: I am so blessed to be retired from teaching. These guys have to keep the congregation alert and engaged, just as I did in the classroom, but they have to do it through the one-way lens of the virtual world. That means more work on their part and less reward. At least they don't have to grade lab papers!

"Indeed! That was truly the worst part about teaching! Well, most of the time, though it could be pretty hilarious from time to time!"

Yes, indeed! As for these clergy talks, I do plan to finish out the series. I truly enjoy interjecting my two cents' worth into the discussions and actually having them take notice and respond. I especially appreciate Robert Haas carrying on a side-bar conversation with me as he does. I look forward to the next five or six sessions to come!