Putting In Time
Drama
Mrs. Johnson's Rummage Sale
And Other Stewardship Dramas
a drama about participating
The Players
Harry -- a member who doesn't always listen
Sheila -- a member who listens more attentively
The Situation
People are leaving the sanctuary after the worship service.
(Harry and Sheila enter)
Harry: I don't believe it.
Sheila: What?
Harry: I just don't believe it.
Sheila: Now what's wrong?
Harry: (Motions back toward the sanctuary) Didn't you hear?
Sheila: Hear what?
Harry: All that stuff about my time.
Sheila: What stuff?
Harry: About how I'm supposed to give up my time, now.
Sheila: What, now?
Harry: Huh?
Sheila: Time has always been something we should give to the church.
Harry: Maybe ... but what's this sudden emphasis on my time?
Sheila: A sudden emphasis?
Harry: Yeah, all of a sudden, my time is a subject for discussion.
Sheila: The way we spend our time was mentioned in the sermon.
Harry: Yeah, see ... you heard it, too.
Sheila: But it isn't a sudden emphasis.
Harry: Well, I never heard anything about time until just recently. It seems to me like time is the new thing -- the new emphasis -- the new way to get more out of me.
Sheila: Seems to me time has always been a part of this.
Harry: Maybe, but not like this.
Sheila: Do you object to giving some of your time?
Harry: (Pauses while he considers the question) Well, yeah, sort of.
Sheila: What?
Harry: Hey, don't misunderstand me. I'm not some sort of cheapskate. I give a substantial contribution each week. I even make it up when I miss a Sunday. And I'm here most weeks. But why should I be expected to give up my free time in addition to my weekly contribution?
Sheila: What?
Harry: I work hard at my job, and I work pretty long hours, and I try to spend most of my free time with the family.
Sheila: That sounds good.
Harry: Well, at least I did, until now, when all of a sudden the church wants my free time, too.
Sheila: Does it have to be a choice?
Harry: Maybe I could bring the kids to the clean-up crew on Saturday morning. I'm sure the boys would enjoy driving the lawn mower. And it might be good practice for their driving tests in a few years.
Sheila: That might be less than helpful.
Harry: See, I'd probably end up spending all my time trying to keep them out of the way of all the other folks who are actually doing some work. I doubt I'd be much help.
Sheila: Maybe you could help out by being in the nursery. That way other parents could come help out.
Harry: Me? In the nursery? I don't think so!
Sheila: It was just a thought.
Harry: Look, I always figured people who couldn't afford to provide much financial support gave lots of time to the church.
Sheila: Sort of a trade-off?
Harry: Exactly.
Sheila: But you ...
Harry: I give a substantial amount each week. It just isn't fair that all of a sudden I'm supposed to give both my time and money.
(Both freeze, then exit)
The Players
Harry -- a member who doesn't always listen
Sheila -- a member who listens more attentively
The Situation
People are leaving the sanctuary after the worship service.
(Harry and Sheila enter)
Harry: I don't believe it.
Sheila: What?
Harry: I just don't believe it.
Sheila: Now what's wrong?
Harry: (Motions back toward the sanctuary) Didn't you hear?
Sheila: Hear what?
Harry: All that stuff about my time.
Sheila: What stuff?
Harry: About how I'm supposed to give up my time, now.
Sheila: What, now?
Harry: Huh?
Sheila: Time has always been something we should give to the church.
Harry: Maybe ... but what's this sudden emphasis on my time?
Sheila: A sudden emphasis?
Harry: Yeah, all of a sudden, my time is a subject for discussion.
Sheila: The way we spend our time was mentioned in the sermon.
Harry: Yeah, see ... you heard it, too.
Sheila: But it isn't a sudden emphasis.
Harry: Well, I never heard anything about time until just recently. It seems to me like time is the new thing -- the new emphasis -- the new way to get more out of me.
Sheila: Seems to me time has always been a part of this.
Harry: Maybe, but not like this.
Sheila: Do you object to giving some of your time?
Harry: (Pauses while he considers the question) Well, yeah, sort of.
Sheila: What?
Harry: Hey, don't misunderstand me. I'm not some sort of cheapskate. I give a substantial contribution each week. I even make it up when I miss a Sunday. And I'm here most weeks. But why should I be expected to give up my free time in addition to my weekly contribution?
Sheila: What?
Harry: I work hard at my job, and I work pretty long hours, and I try to spend most of my free time with the family.
Sheila: That sounds good.
Harry: Well, at least I did, until now, when all of a sudden the church wants my free time, too.
Sheila: Does it have to be a choice?
Harry: Maybe I could bring the kids to the clean-up crew on Saturday morning. I'm sure the boys would enjoy driving the lawn mower. And it might be good practice for their driving tests in a few years.
Sheila: That might be less than helpful.
Harry: See, I'd probably end up spending all my time trying to keep them out of the way of all the other folks who are actually doing some work. I doubt I'd be much help.
Sheila: Maybe you could help out by being in the nursery. That way other parents could come help out.
Harry: Me? In the nursery? I don't think so!
Sheila: It was just a thought.
Harry: Look, I always figured people who couldn't afford to provide much financial support gave lots of time to the church.
Sheila: Sort of a trade-off?
Harry: Exactly.
Sheila: But you ...
Harry: I give a substantial amount each week. It just isn't fair that all of a sudden I'm supposed to give both my time and money.
(Both freeze, then exit)
