Our church is lucky enough to have a married minister couple serving our congregation as co-pastors. We recently were notified that one of them has been appointed to be a District Superintendent of the neighboring district.
As we were growing up, the term District Superintendent, or more commonly “D.S.” was a term of distinction because we knew the DS was Dads boss. The DS supervised the ministers and congregations in his or her district.
It just happens that one of our ministers was appointed to the district where White City is located. White City is a small town in the Flint Hills of Kansas. The church building is a very pretty brick and limestone structure with a small parsonage right next door.
When you grow up right next door, the church building becomes part of your home. Mom and Dad are always over there and your life revolves around it. We end up playing in, on, and around it on a regular basis……………..For better and for worse.
I wrote an email to our minister congratulating her on her appointment as DS, but also wanted to clear the air. I wanted her to know that whenever she might find herself at the White City United Methodist Church for an event, she might find an area beside the back door where some vandal had applied paint to the limestone trim. Hopefully after all this time it has faded somewhat.
Being an attorney now, I wanted to take the opportunity to mount my defense in advance. I told her that I wanted to claim the statute of limitations, double jeopardy, and an alibi.
First it has been well over 40 years and I believe the statute of limitations has run.
Secondly, I remember getting a pretty good spanking, so I believe double jeopardy has attached. I’ve already been punished.
Lastly, my alibi is that, as far as you know, my little sister handed me the paint brush and talked me into it.
Call Me Lou. 