Monday, May 08, 2006
LEAVE The *($@ CELLPHONE In The %#$% CAR!
Wendy and I went to mass this morning, and I had kind of a transcendental experience while the priest was consecrating the Eucharist. Suddenly, during the most reverent and holy part of the whole service, I started hearing music. Classical music! That's right, the strains of beautiful classical music suddenly seemed to fill the air in the sanctuary.
Or, at least, they seemed to fill the pew in front of us.
Alas, shortly after the magnificent strains of music began to fill my ears, they were silenced again. The music stopped because the woman in front of us who'd BROUGHT HER CELLPHONE INTO THE SANCTUARY suddenly lunged toward her purse, grabbed the cell-phone, yanked it out of the purse and turned it off.
There's just nothing quite like an unexpected, loud, obnoxious classical-music ring-tone to really add a little variety to holy communion.This all happened during the most important and reverential part of the mass; the very moment when Father had lifted the host in consecration. For those of us who believe in transubstantiation, the moment of consecration is of tremendous importance. I personally try to make mass, and especially the blessing of the Eucharist, a very reverent and humble experience. Taking in the presence of the Lord in the emblems themselves is very real and important to me. So the second part of mass, after the homily, is probably the time in my life when I'm at my most reverential. Now imagine that you've done the meditation, prayer and contemplation necessary to reach your own height of personal reverence... imagine that you're feeling that right now. Try to conjure up some memory of the last time you had that feeling.
Now, click play on the embedded midi file below.
Kinda takes you out of the moment, doesn't it? Go ahead, let that little midi file play for a while and try to sustain that reverent frame of mind, even if only for ten seconds. Now imagine that while all of this is going on there's a woman in front of you desperately grabbing items from her purse, hoping each time that the next thing she pulls out of her purse will be the one making the noise so she can stop it.
Alright, here's my point. I'll sum it up in six succinct words: LEAVE THE CELLPHONE IN THE CAR. When you're in church, do you really need to have your cellphone right with you? Do you REALLY have to be attached at the hip to that stupid thing? Maybe... oh, just MAYBE... isn't it possible that CHURCH is one place where there are things more important than the temporal accoutrements of modern life? Think about it, for pity's sake. Is there REALLY ANYONE who's call just can't wait long enough for you to spend an hour before God? Is there REALLY a call that important? So important that, if that call comes through, God is just gonna have to wait?
If nothing else, can't you just leave the stupid phone in the car as a courtesy to your fellow church-goers?
It's not enough to put the phone on vibrate, either. I don't want to see you digging around for that stupid vibrating thing and I don't want to have to hear even a whisper of your conversation. Neither is it enough to turn the phone off. I don't want to see you turning it back on again the second that the service is ended. I don't want a reminder of who your real God is. I don't want to see you making the necessary adjustments as you get back to your real priorities.
For pity's sake... For God's sake.... if nothing else, for my sake, please leave the stupid cellphone in the car. Those of us who actually need to be in church will be eternally grateful.
Permalink -- Posted by Darrell at 14:09 
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How amazingly annoying.
I get upset when the people around me leave their cell phones on their desks... turned on... then walk away. Toss in their spouses with OCD, and you get that music playing constantly for half an hour.
I can only imagine how annoying it would be in church.
I get upset when the people around me leave their cell phones on their desks... turned on... then walk away. Toss in their spouses with OCD, and you get that music playing constantly for half an hour.
I can only imagine how annoying it would be in church.
AMEN! Darrell, with your permission, I'd like to print off this post and submit it to our church newsletter!
Cellphones ringing during church have become such a problem that at the beginning of the Easter Sunday service, our pastor requested that all phones be turned off. And what do you think happened? During that very service, some shrieking diva ringtone erupted during the sermon in the row behind us. The culprit spent what seemed like an eternity fishing the phone out of her purse. So did she turn it off once she she found it? Oh no! Apparently not intending to let some church service get in the way of her call, she CONTINUED TO LET IT RING as she made for the nearest exit! I suppose we should be grateful that she spared us her converstion.
Yeah, and someone's cell phone also rang during our son's Eagle Scout ceremony!
At the very least, these bozos should be tied up in a room alone with their cellphones, then forced to listen to it ring and ring and ring... yet not be able to answer it.
Karen S in Kenosha WI
Cellphones ringing during church have become such a problem that at the beginning of the Easter Sunday service, our pastor requested that all phones be turned off. And what do you think happened? During that very service, some shrieking diva ringtone erupted during the sermon in the row behind us. The culprit spent what seemed like an eternity fishing the phone out of her purse. So did she turn it off once she she found it? Oh no! Apparently not intending to let some church service get in the way of her call, she CONTINUED TO LET IT RING as she made for the nearest exit! I suppose we should be grateful that she spared us her converstion.
Yeah, and someone's cell phone also rang during our son's Eagle Scout ceremony!
At the very least, these bozos should be tied up in a room alone with their cellphones, then forced to listen to it ring and ring and ring... yet not be able to answer it.
Karen S in Kenosha WI
# posted by 
: 5:53 PM
: 5:53 PM
Darrell,
Great post. I'm with you all the way on this. I have two thoughts.
First, rejoice that the efficacy of the sacrament is not dependant on your sense of reverence that was so despoiled by the rude interruption you experienced. In spite of the ruined "mood," you still received the body and blood of Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins. You communed with Jesus. That's an objective reality that nothing can take away. So that's a good thing.
Secondly, I too HATE it when people bring cell phones to church. One time, I investigated getting some kind of jamming technology for my church. Apparently, stuff like that is not yet legally available in the US. But I did find an Israeli company that would sell me a jammer (though I thought it best not to break the law).
I have a small church building. So when a cell phone rings during quieter parts of the service, it is heard. I have never heard one ringing at the moment of consecration, but I have during my sermon.
Normally, in our church, a bit of racket during the sermon is not unusual. On summer days, when we leave the doors open to cool the building, we sometimes hear loud traffic. And we often have babies who giggle, talk, fuss or cry. Of that I never complain because I'm frankly glad they're there. Yesterday, in fact, a baby sneezed really loudly during my sermon and I said, "God bless you" to him.
But I have determined that from now on when a cell phone rings during my sermon, I will stop talking and stare at the person it's coming from waiting until they deal with it before I resume preaching. If people don't have the piety or the common sense to AT LEAST turn it off before the service, I will try to embarrass them publicly and see how that works.
Great post. I'm with you all the way on this. I have two thoughts.
First, rejoice that the efficacy of the sacrament is not dependant on your sense of reverence that was so despoiled by the rude interruption you experienced. In spite of the ruined "mood," you still received the body and blood of Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins. You communed with Jesus. That's an objective reality that nothing can take away. So that's a good thing.
Secondly, I too HATE it when people bring cell phones to church. One time, I investigated getting some kind of jamming technology for my church. Apparently, stuff like that is not yet legally available in the US. But I did find an Israeli company that would sell me a jammer (though I thought it best not to break the law).
I have a small church building. So when a cell phone rings during quieter parts of the service, it is heard. I have never heard one ringing at the moment of consecration, but I have during my sermon.
Normally, in our church, a bit of racket during the sermon is not unusual. On summer days, when we leave the doors open to cool the building, we sometimes hear loud traffic. And we often have babies who giggle, talk, fuss or cry. Of that I never complain because I'm frankly glad they're there. Yesterday, in fact, a baby sneezed really loudly during my sermon and I said, "God bless you" to him.
But I have determined that from now on when a cell phone rings during my sermon, I will stop talking and stare at the person it's coming from waiting until they deal with it before I resume preaching. If people don't have the piety or the common sense to AT LEAST turn it off before the service, I will try to embarrass them publicly and see how that works.
NH, Karen, Pastor Scott, thanks for the feedback. I'm glad that there are others out there who share my point of view. Yeah, Pastor, I am grateful that the sacrament itself wasn't "spoiled" by the cellphone... and I have to give a lot of credit to those who were there this morning who were simply able to "tune out" the sound of the cell phone. I look forward to (hopefully) reaching that same level someday.
I'm with you on the Babies, too, Pastor. Now and then I find myself distracted by the babies, but I'm getting good at remembering to remind myself how important that they are and to be glad that they're there.
And Karen, I'm flattered that you think that some folks in your church might enjoy my blog entry. Please feel free to print and share at will!
The lady who had the cellphone in church this morning really isn't typically the kind of person who'd do this, but it isn't the first time a cellphone distracted me in church, and I guess today was just the straw that broke the camel's back. ;)
I'm with you on the Babies, too, Pastor. Now and then I find myself distracted by the babies, but I'm getting good at remembering to remind myself how important that they are and to be glad that they're there.
And Karen, I'm flattered that you think that some folks in your church might enjoy my blog entry. Please feel free to print and share at will!
The lady who had the cellphone in church this morning really isn't typically the kind of person who'd do this, but it isn't the first time a cellphone distracted me in church, and I guess today was just the straw that broke the camel's back. ;)
I'm with you Darrell and I'd like to take it further that churches should look to themselves too when they become enablers to the problem by leasing out their steeples to hide cell towers in them, radiating their unsuspecting parishioners.
To the list of no cell phone zones can we add libaries, theatres, pta meetings, restaurants and any other place where I and others can hear their annoying rings followed by obnoxious conversations...
To the list of no cell phone zones can we add libaries, theatres, pta meetings, restaurants and any other place where I and others can hear their annoying rings followed by obnoxious conversations...
People should take cellphones with them to church. It's a matter of safety.
I'm a paramedic and, when injured, I have worked at 911 giving pre-arrival instructions. The ability of a dispatcher to get clear information from the scene of a medical emergency is crucial to EMS response. The dispatcher can give pre-arrival instructions like CPR, airway clearing maneuvers, or how to stem bleeding that can save a life.
I've repeatedly responded to medical emergencies at our previous church. Now, granted, the congregation did tend to be an older congregation, but I have treated children and teenagers as well.
That's not counting the Good Friday service with a pastor whose water broke right before the service. She did fine and made it through the entire service without my help. She didn't have the baby for another 5 or 6 hours.
At the new church, so far, we've been blessed. The emergencies have only occurred before or after church or at youth group or on retreats or during a Bible study or at the youth group dance.
I was sick the Sunday the sanctuary filled up with gasoline fumes during the service. Someone else called 911 then. They called from their cell phone, strangely enough.
As a paramedic, I've responded to many calls at churches. We don't turn off our radios in church, and we talk to our command physicians and yell thing like "clear" whenever we need to. We've been known to yell over the hymn, too.
I really prefer churches that pray quietly while we try to restart someone's heart, but some folks won't stop for anything.
I've also responded to people's homes where someone called from church for a "check on the well-being" of a person who didn't make it to Sunday school. A lot of those turned out sadly and the 911 call could have been made after church, but a number of them did result in the patient's life being saved or at least medical care being delivered at the earliest possible time.
I've also responded to knifings and one gunshot at church. Cellphones are great for calling for police, too.
Telling people to take their cellphones to church is irresponsible. Most people should take them and turn them off.
Finally, there are those of us in the congregation whose callings require that we be available by phone at all times. If my cellphone vibrates, I quietly walk out of church and take the call outside.
Trust me, everyone wants me to take that call -- a lot of folks start praying when they see that happen.
Rob of UnSpace
I'm a paramedic and, when injured, I have worked at 911 giving pre-arrival instructions. The ability of a dispatcher to get clear information from the scene of a medical emergency is crucial to EMS response. The dispatcher can give pre-arrival instructions like CPR, airway clearing maneuvers, or how to stem bleeding that can save a life.
I've repeatedly responded to medical emergencies at our previous church. Now, granted, the congregation did tend to be an older congregation, but I have treated children and teenagers as well.
That's not counting the Good Friday service with a pastor whose water broke right before the service. She did fine and made it through the entire service without my help. She didn't have the baby for another 5 or 6 hours.
At the new church, so far, we've been blessed. The emergencies have only occurred before or after church or at youth group or on retreats or during a Bible study or at the youth group dance.
I was sick the Sunday the sanctuary filled up with gasoline fumes during the service. Someone else called 911 then. They called from their cell phone, strangely enough.
As a paramedic, I've responded to many calls at churches. We don't turn off our radios in church, and we talk to our command physicians and yell thing like "clear" whenever we need to. We've been known to yell over the hymn, too.
I really prefer churches that pray quietly while we try to restart someone's heart, but some folks won't stop for anything.
I've also responded to people's homes where someone called from church for a "check on the well-being" of a person who didn't make it to Sunday school. A lot of those turned out sadly and the 911 call could have been made after church, but a number of them did result in the patient's life being saved or at least medical care being delivered at the earliest possible time.
I've also responded to knifings and one gunshot at church. Cellphones are great for calling for police, too.
Telling people to take their cellphones to church is irresponsible. Most people should take them and turn them off.
Finally, there are those of us in the congregation whose callings require that we be available by phone at all times. If my cellphone vibrates, I quietly walk out of church and take the call outside.
Trust me, everyone wants me to take that call -- a lot of folks start praying when they see that happen.
Rob of UnSpace
Yeah, cell phones go off at people's desks in my office all the time. Vibrate is just as bad.
The phone in church thing is on the rise. Happened a few times in my church. Once the lady ANSWERED as she was walking down the center aisle; she didn't wait to get outside to call the person back. "What? Yeah, yeah I'm in church. So anyway I says to Mabel, I says..."
I think people with an emergency situation, like a pregnant wife, sick relative, or on-call firemen should get a pass, BUT it should definitely be set on vibrate. The majority of people are getting social calls, and that's not the time or the place. Give God one hour. Now if I could turn my brain off for an hour and not have my mind wander the way it does, that would be good too.
The phone in church thing is on the rise. Happened a few times in my church. Once the lady ANSWERED as she was walking down the center aisle; she didn't wait to get outside to call the person back. "What? Yeah, yeah I'm in church. So anyway I says to Mabel, I says..."
I think people with an emergency situation, like a pregnant wife, sick relative, or on-call firemen should get a pass, BUT it should definitely be set on vibrate. The majority of people are getting social calls, and that's not the time or the place. Give God one hour. Now if I could turn my brain off for an hour and not have my mind wander the way it does, that would be good too.
Actually, I'm with Rob -- there are some people who should have their cell phone with them in church. Not with the ringer on, but perhaps on vibrate or to turn on as soon as service is over.
Doctors and paramedics for sure, especially if they are on call. Mrs. Write is head nurse. When she is on call, she is only called in an emergency. The phone vibrates. She doesn't pick it up. She sees the number on the screen and can step out quietly and dial right back. When she's not on call, she may still get a call from one of her nurses, because hey, she's the boss and some emergencies still need her input.
As for people who leave their ringer on, or who are answering their cellphone in the sanctuary -- well, there's a special circle of hell just for them.
Doctors and paramedics for sure, especially if they are on call. Mrs. Write is head nurse. When she is on call, she is only called in an emergency. The phone vibrates. She doesn't pick it up. She sees the number on the screen and can step out quietly and dial right back. When she's not on call, she may still get a call from one of her nurses, because hey, she's the boss and some emergencies still need her input.
As for people who leave their ringer on, or who are answering their cellphone in the sanctuary -- well, there's a special circle of hell just for them.
Rob, the vast majority of jerks whose phones ring at church are not medical professionals. Unlike SoCo, I'm ok with phones turned off or put on vibrate (I do that myself), but for the love of God, turn the damn ringer off! For every Rob The Paramedic there are 20 Joe Jerks and Sally Selfishes.
FD,
The phone's more crucial for the non-medically trained who have to respond to an emergency. I don't need pre-arrival instructions. It's the non-medical professionals (and some of the medical professionals -- but let's skip that diatribe for now) that need the help.
I think asking everyone to pull out their cell phones before the service begins and turn them off or, when necessary, put them on vibrate, is a much better solution. They do that before every service at our church during the announcements.
Parents with kids in the church nursery ought to be required to have cell phones on vibrate. That way no one has to leave the nursery to get a parent.
I'm not the only one who should be prepared for a serious situation to occur. Every competent adult should be. I'm always amazed that they're not.
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The phone's more crucial for the non-medically trained who have to respond to an emergency. I don't need pre-arrival instructions. It's the non-medical professionals (and some of the medical professionals -- but let's skip that diatribe for now) that need the help.
I think asking everyone to pull out their cell phones before the service begins and turn them off or, when necessary, put them on vibrate, is a much better solution. They do that before every service at our church during the announcements.
Parents with kids in the church nursery ought to be required to have cell phones on vibrate. That way no one has to leave the nursery to get a parent.
I'm not the only one who should be prepared for a serious situation to occur. Every competent adult should be. I'm always amazed that they're not.
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