Sundays were for mingling in Outlandish. Most residents in the community met on the beach for a potluck brunch at 10:00 a.m., which lasted until around noon, at which time everyone went home for their afternoon naps. At 3:00 p.m., those who wished to (not nearly as many as attended the brunch) met in what was referred to as Central Circle, an actual circle in the center of Outlandish.
The center of town was as vivid and beautiful as the rest of Outlandish. Brightly painted buildings covered in decorated signs surrounded the circle. Flowers overflowed and hung from every lamppost, but the real showstopper was the mosaic fountain that sat in the center of it all. While it was something to stop and stare at, it was only because it was enormous and the shape of it was unidentifiable. The water shot up out of the top of it, and it might have been at least somewhat pretty if the mosaic tiles had been placed in a particular design or pattern, but instead, members of the community placed the tiles in random fashion, so it was mostly just bizarre; however, it was exactly as the community planned it to be, which was a fountain constructed and displayed to communicate the acceptance of diversity. So, while unusual, it was not out of place in Outlandish, and the people were proud of it.
Around the grand fountain was where the people met for church on Sundays, and the fashion in which they worshipped was not exactly bizarre but certainly not conventional, either. The people put their blankets out and placed their lawn chairs on the thick grass covering the ground around the fountain. It might have looked a little more like an outdoor concert. A variety of groups gathered (some large, some small), and there were always a few who, by choice, sat alone. Together the people studied their bibles, prayed, and chatted.
On this particular Sunday, the Plumbys sat alone on their oversized quilt. Elder Francis walked through the crowd of people as he wrapped up his short sermon to get ready for discussion time.
With his arms outstretched the elder spoke gently, “Romans 12 instructs us to be devoted to each other like a loving family and excel in showing respect for each other. Friends, do not be lazy in showing your devotion. Use your energy to serve the Lord. Be happy in your confidence, be patient in your trouble, and pray continually. Share what you have with God’s people who are in need and be hospitable.
“Brothers and sisters, may we begin these very practices in this very moment and may those around you, as well as those throughout our entire community, feel the love of Christ through your service to them as well as your kindness.”
When the elder walked away, Archie turned and said, “Father, is it wrong that I walked out on Ms. Perrelli yesterday? I don’t suppose it was a gesture of kindness.”
Albert put his hands on his knees and leaned forward. “Only you can answer that, son. If you were sparing her what was coming next, I would say it was definitely a gesture of kindness.”
“Oh, Albert!” Annella piped in. “You know Archie wouldn’t have done anything at all.”
Albert chuckled. “Well, now, you never know. If he’s anything like his father . . .”
“Albert!” Annella said shaking her head. “Did you not learn anything from the elder’s sermon today?”
Albert only laughed.
Archie hadn’t even noticed his parents’ amusing exchange; instead he was still considering the situation. “Mother, I was so bothered by Ms. Perrelli. I’ve never met a prouder person in all my life. It seems everything she does and says is either to boast or to gain something. How do you handle people like that?”
“Archie, I know you want to be at peace with the situation, but perhaps the problem lies with Ms. Perrelli. I doubt it has anything to do with you. I suggest you check your own heart and then let it go.”
“Yes. You’re right.”
Albert looked around Archie’s umbrella. “It looks like you’re going to have to figure it out—and pretty quickly.”
Archie felt instant dread. “Oh, brother,” he said under his breath.
But it wasn’t Gemma Perrelli’s voice he first heard. It was Tallie’s. “Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Plumby.” Tallie bent over and ducked her head down to meet with Archie’s and said a little shyly, “Hi, Archibald.”
Archie stood immediately and turned around to confirm Gemma was with Tallie. He nodded and tried to smile but then focused his attention only on Tallie.
“Good afternoon, Tallie,” he said, feeling his face grow warm.
Tallie scanned the area. “What is this?”
“We’re having church.”
“Church? Out here?”
“Yes. We meet here in Central Circle every Sunday at three.”
“I’ve never seen a church that looks like this one,” Tallie said.
Archie waited for a moment but eventually smiled and admitted, “Yes, this is probably a little different than what you’re used to.”
Tallie felt Gemma poke her shoulder blade and quickly said, “Oh! Ms. Perrelli wanted to find you, Archibald.”
Gemma walked forward and offered a half smile. “Hello again, Archie.”
Archie quickly made the decision to make peace with Gemma. “Ms. Perrelli, you’ve met my father.”
Gemma put her hand out and said, “Yes, it’s nice to see you again, Mr. Plumby.”
Archie continued, “And this is my mother, Chef Annella.”
Annella laughed and shook her head. “Just Annella is fine.”
Gemma reached her hand out to Archie’s mother and said, “Archie speaks very highly of you. I think I could learn a lot from you.”
Annella looked curiously at Archie. “Hmmm. I’m not sure about that.” Looking back to Ms. Perrelli she added, “It’s nice to meet you.”
Gemma turned her attention to Archie. “About yesterday . . . I think my words came out more bluntly than I intended. I guess it’s a good thing I tell stories with photographs, yeah?”
When she followed her apology with a piercing laugh, Archie was a little irritated; however, he knew he would be required to forgive her . . . for his own peace of mind. So he took a deep breath and said, “Of course I forgive you . . . if . . . that’s what . . . you’re looking for.”
Gemma evidently found his response a little amusing, for she smiled, but because his expression was sober, she said seriously, “Yes, Archie. I’m seeking your forgiveness.”
Turning his attention back to Tallie he said, “The elder is just about to conclude the service. Would you care to stay for the parting hymn?”
“Now hymns are familiar,” said Tallie.
Archie invited her to share his umbrella, and Gemma, feeling a little out of place at that point said, “I think I’ll head back, Tallie. I’ll see you at dinner?” When Gemma turned to leave, Archie remembered the elder’s words: “Show the love of Christ to others through service and through kindness.” He immediately felt bad for not inviting her to stay as well, so he turned and said, “Would you like to stay for the parting hymn, Ms. Perrelli?”
Gemma smiled but didn’t turn to show it to Archie. Instead, she just lifted her hand in acknowledgment and hollered back to him, “No, thank you!”
Archie nodded as he turned back around and felt better for offering the invitation.
Before the parting hymn, the elders always took a few minutes each week to share the community’s needs and upcoming events. Most often it was one of the retirees who was ill and in need of assistance and meals, but sometimes there would be a special event that needed service, a community cleanup day, or a party planned to welcome a newcomer. This week, Elder Francis said only, “Remember, next Saturday morning we are meeting to clean the fountain. The town will provide everything needed. Just have a good breakfast and come prepared to scrub. Oh . . . and just in case you need some added incentive, Pizza Garden will provide a meal for all who are still present at the lunch hour.”
Tallie whispered to Archie, “That must be a pretty special fountain.”
Archie laughed and said quietly, “Yes, I guess it is.”
“I’m assuming there’s a story there?”
“No, not really,” Archie answered.
“Well, I think I’ll photograph it before I leave.”
Archie looked surprised. “Why would you want to do that?”
“Because it’s the strangest looking fountain I’ve ever seen,” she said, stifling a laugh.
Archie looked at Tallie. “Outlandish and you seem to get along. Are you going to stay for a while?”
“Unfortunately, only until Tuesday morning,” she said a little sadly.
Archie felt a little gloomy at her news, but because he didn’t want to appear as vulnerable as he felt, he only smiled and said, “I see,” before turning his head back to the elder.
Tallie also carried her own bit of disappointment over having to leave so soon.
Elder Francis lifted his arms and said, “Let us sing together!”
Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things has done, in whom this world rejoices;
Who from our mothers’ arms has blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.
O may this bounteous God, through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us;
And keep us in His grace, and guide us when perplexed;
And free us from all ills, in this world and the next!
All praise and thanks to God the Father now be given;
The Son and Him who reigns with them in highest Heaven;
The one eternal God, whom earth and Heaven adore;
For thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.