Familiar Callings in Funny Places

Tweet

by Pete Codella (bio)

In the LDS Church members of the congregation accept assignments to carry out Sunday teaching, youth activities and service projects. We have what you call lay leaders - meaning they have day jobs then devote time - in some cases many, many hours - each week to fulfilling their church assignment, or calling.

A notable example of this is the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, where its members volunteer their time and talents to be part of what Ronald Reagan called "America's Choir." And just to show you how unfamiliar my upstate New York high school counselor was with the Mormon Church, she once suggested I move to Salt Lake in order to get a singing job with the Mormon Choir. Funny!

I've had the opportunity of serving in many capacities in church. I've been Mr. Scripture where I did my best to bring the scriptures to life for young children. I've worked in the Boy Scouting program with the young men many times. And I've taught Sunday School, both for the youth and adults.

Most of the time leaders of the congregation invite you to the church building to talk with them about a new assignment. But sometimes circumstances prevent the traditional visit in the bishop's office when you're extended a new calling.

When I was a sophomore in college my elders quorum president came to my apartment at night to extend a teaching calling to me. I had already gone to bed but my roommates let him in and sent him to my room. He knocked then proceeded to turn on the light and talk with me about teaching elders quorum on Sundays.

I was a bit out of it and caught a tad off-guard there under my covers in my underwear, but I accepted the assignment. He thanked me, turned off the light, shut the door, then left the apartment. I rolled over and went back to sleep, wondering the next morning if that had really just happened.

I'm curious to know if any of you have received callings in unfamiliar or non-traditional ways. If so, please share in the comments. Let's see who received a calling in the funniest, strangest place or way.