Usher duties

We were at the same church this morning and the street is still under constructin so we had to walk a ways and were late. It was worth it to observe Chinese Usher Duties. They wear a red arm band with words realting to the authority and seniority vested in them. All were elderly but formitable ladies.

We tried to sneak in and 3 out of the 4 of us had actually made it to various seats, but then we were spotted. The Head Usher poked each of us and would not take no for an answer to being relocated in the front row of the back section under a fan. However there were already people sitting there - 5 even older ladies, 2 with canes. Usher team members grabbed their arms and moved them out so we could have the honored seats. We finally got settled to their satisfaction - the original 4 on a bench did not work since she determined we were too close and would get too hot so she cleared the elderly off the next bench and spread us out. Then she graciously brought us each a bottle of water.

Keep in mind what looked like the sermon was going on the whole time. Having gotten the visitors organized teh Ushers returned to the task at hand. Every 5 minutes they patroled the aisles to wake up anyone who is sleeping. Even if people are just resting, they make them sit up straight to listen. No one argues with the Red Band Band.

But they met their match a few minutes later. July 20 is one of the Auspicious Dates for new beginnings - according to the local Bride's Magazines - and the Cell Phone store across the street celebrated its grand opening with a firecraker blast that went on for a good 5 minutes in various bursts - none of them could be preached through with the windows open. Not to say the preacher did not try! But she finally gave up and smiled. Usher Team was beside themselves figuring out what the noise was and how to get it to stop but it did cut out the sleeping problem.

However I think nothing says Grand Opeing of the New Entrance like fireworks! Somebody write that down.