Methobaby

Sunday, we told our congregations our good news.  For me, I thought it was going to be a mere formality.  The week prior, I told my human resources committee and passed before them the plan for our leave.  Yes, the United Methodist Church is actually very progressive when it comes to this area.  Both father and mother are provided with up to 3 months off… paid!  We’re taking full advantage of this, overlapping and staggering our time off so that B. will have almost six months at home before child care decisions need to be made.

But back to Sunday.  We decided to do it in the context of prayer.  Pray for the to-be child, Susan’s health, and my sanity.  When it got time to make the announcement, I felt very self-conscious.  I felt selfish for asking people to pray for me in this context.  So many people have just lost loved ones, and hear I am asking people to pray for me for something so good and hope-giving.

S. had just the opposite problem  She was afraid that telling the congregation that she was pregnant would confirm her worst fears… that yes, everyone would know that a married preacher goes home and has sex with her husband.  Irrational?  Yes.  fraught with puritanical sensibilities?  Yes.  Silly?  No.

Oh well.. I guess there’s no turning back, now.