Editorial April 28, 1986 Issue

Inclusive or exclusive?

ALLISON W. PHINNEY, JR.

In our small town you could set your watch by his walking past. The children knew that when he went through the neighborhood each day it would be time to come in for lunch. They stared and commented on his somewhat dated clothing and high shoes.

He was a shy, unusual man but kindly—some would have said eccentric. He lived alone and had never married. Toward the end of his life he began to attend services at our branch Church of Christ, Scientist. And the church took him to its heart. He didn't choose to join—but we succeeded in including him nonetheless. He accepted the assignment of playing the piano in the Sunday School.

It was one of those inspired, felicitous decisions. For a few years he was able to share more fully in the sense of love and family and belonging than ever before in his life. And our Sunday School was the richer for it. The children came to love him.

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