Once upon a time there was a young woman who moved to Salt Lake City from Denver. She was the product of a mixed marriage--a Mormon mother and Episcopalian father--but her grandparents remained true to their own religion, so she was raised Mormon, Episcopalian, Congregationalist( because her parents joined after their marriage), and Presbyterian (in-laws). No wonder she was a humanist from junior high on--and she and her husband became Unitarians soon after their marriage.

On her first day of teaching, she started to pour a cup of coffee during lunch in the faculty room, but was told very sternly by the coach that no coffee was permitted in the faculty room.

Just after Thanksgiving, the principal told her to prepare her choruses for a Christmas presentation at the local Stake house. The usual dilemma arose: she knew about the separation of church and state and felt very strongly--but needed the job and as a first year teacher needed to be sure she didn't offend. Ho Ho Ho, what to do? With the help of student leaders the music was selected to reflect many countries and cultures. Lots of practice and the choruses were ready.

On the evening of the big event, the principal told her she would be expected to deliver a talk, too! After a momentary panic, she had the groups perform all the music, and then stood up to deliver her talk. She discussed the origins of the pieces and the cultural background, and then concluded her remarks by saying, "Isn't it a miracle that the birth of a tiny baby resulted in such glorious music throughout the world?"

Afterwards the principal walked up and said, "Thank goodness--I thought you were never going to mention Jesus." I never did tell him that I didn't!

P.S. The day after the coffee incident, I was told that fresh coffee was brewed each noon in the home economics room.

--Joyce Barnes