The Name Tag

I went to my adult Sunday school class last Sunday.  We were planning a social gathering at some other members' place, and it was suggested that we all wear our church name tags because the new minister and wife would be there.  Well...uh...I don't have a church name tag, so it was quickly decided that one of our number would supply some of the sticky make-your-own name tags for the occasion.  No problem.

I joined Plainfield United Methodist Church back in the early 90s, before the church supplied name tags for its members.  (I think.)  Then, during my father's illness in Illinois and a few years past that, I was only an occasional church attender.  I think they'd given up on me....but then, when my circumstances changed here at home, I went back to my old habits of attending every week.  I never mentioned the name tag situation, and no one ever asked.  Until last week.

When it came up in Sunday school, I casually mentioned that I didn't have a name tag.  I wasn't worried about it.  It wasn't of concern to anyone.  But as we were sharing our joys and concerns before prayer, the leader of our group made a comment about another member:  "We will pray for her because we like her.  SHE has a name tag!"  That got a big laugh.  Vern made a funny!

That evening at the social, I arrived too late to find the sticky name tags, but I had my lanyard from school with my keys hanging from my neck.  It had my name on it.  When I got around to meeting the new pastor and his wife, I pointed to my name on the lanyard, and all was well.  Pastor Wilfong might well remember me as the crazy ol' lady with her name around her neck!

As it happens, I got a call from the church office a few days ago asking me if I wanted "Peg" or "Peggy" on my name tag.  I knew this would happen!  So, I guess I am finally an official member of the church after all these years of membership.  I have a name tag!