I have to be honest, I don’t like being called “Brother Heuer.” Why? Because that’s not who I am as an identity. I’m Tim. (For the record I don’t like being called Mr. Heuer either.) I know that generations grew up differently and have a whole ‘respect your elders’ mantra to them, but it just seems as a society we’ve progressed beyond that. People call my children by their first name, so why shouldn’t my children call them by their first name?
Anyhow, on to the brother/sister thing. I know other religions practice this similarly as well. As LDS members I see this practice mostly under the roof of a Church building. Rarely do I see members of the Elder’s Quorums waiting at the bus stop referring to each other as Brother Smith. So why do we feel so compelled to do so? It is an odd thing for me and maybe it is because I haven’t grown up with it. We do have friends that insist on our children calling them Sister so-and-so and despite our wishes for their kids to call us by our names, they will not allow them to do that. I have to respect their parental authority however perverse (kidding, of course) it is.
I’ll say it again: I am Tim. There is no “Brother” on my birth certificate. Others may say it is out of respect for the position you hold. If that is the case, why don’t the Elders Quorum members call each other Elder instead of brother in the hallways? Good morning Elder Heuer. But that would confuse us with the missionaries I guess. I do, however, break my own rule with regard to Bishops and Stake Presidents. Why? Great question, I guess it is an elevated title for me – probably the same reason I wouldn’t walk into the White House and say “Hey George, how’s it hanging?” But outside of Church, I call them by their names. Is there some doctrinal guidance I’m missing here? Because I just think it is cultural and maybe that’s why I’m so hung up on it.
The other thing that I find odd and still haven’t gotten used to is the use of the full name. I can’t tell you the last time somebody called me Timothy. Again, I don’t identify with that name. I’m sure this is a practice rooted in the family ancestry ties and beliefs of the Church and for official records, blessings, etc. I’ve got no problem with that. But should I ever be called to speak at Conference, I’m going to fight for the overlay on the television to be “Tim Heuer” and not “Timothy K. Heuer” – heck there have been times I’ve forgotten my middle name because it is never uttered. I suppose one could argue that such talks are “official” and any business of the Church is official and thus documented for our posterity…which that might fly with me.
I’m just saying, if you see me in Church…I’m Tim, feel free to call me that and skip the Brother :-).
For the past 4 years, my neighbors and I have enjoyed a 2.5 hour block. That’s right suckers…2.5 hours. Why? Did you ever see Gremlins where the little Gizmo dude got water on him and a zillion fur balls grew? Something like that. The area where I live has grown in the past 10 years from 1 branch to 5 stakes, all within the same basic defined boundaries as the original branch. Crazy huh. Crazier is that it’s a real active area.
Because of this growth each building (we were in short supply) was cramming 4-6 wards in it each Sunday. To accommodate we trimmed the blocks by 30 minutes. With that came mental adjustments for everyone. People shortened their lessons, rushed kids to primary, etc. But overall, we still accomplished what needed to be done and people were diggin’ the block. Until now. New building. Back to the 3 hour block. And for the Cortina 1st Ward…8 AM!!! Seriously, what productiveness can be done by getting your up that early on a weekend with household members kicking and screaming…in addition to the kids. I don’t work well that early in the morning.
Growing up Catholic, we just went to “Mass” – whenever we wanted. Sure you belong to a Parish, but that’s a pretty loose definition. I’m sure the Catholic church has similar boundary rules, but I don’t recall anyone ever following anything…you went where (and when) you felt comfortable…as long as you went. We would go to 9am Mass, 11am Mass and sometimes later…there were options still to accommodate the crowds and we could go when we wanted. That’s a big change that I’ve gotten used to over the years is this Ward concept – you go where you are told and nowhere else. I like how it does make you closer to those you associate with in Sacrament meeting, but man is it hard to be motivated that early in the morning. I’m not sure there is a best time, but if I had to pick, I’d say 9:30 is the sweet spot for me. Enough time to sleep in, home for a lunch, home to get kids into some quiet time and take a nap. I know that a lot of decisions in the Church are inspired, but I’m going on a limb here and say inspiration loses out over logistics all the time when planning Ward meeting schedules. I envision Bishops in a game of poker…er…um…bingo, well whatever, a game of negotiating to determine who gets the short straws of 8am and 3pm Ward meeting times. We lost this time around :-(.
Oh, and then the announcement of “next Sunday will be Stake Priesthood Leadership meeting…at 6am” – what kind of vitamins are these leaders taking that they function that early!?
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