"You're so gracious"

My former congregation had a generous policy about funerals. There were a lot of people who were connected with us, in some way or another, and we could usually find some way to work it out if someone wanted to have their funeral in our sanctuary. But, the congregation has always had two or more pastors, so it was relatively easy to work that into someone's schedule. If it didn't work out for any of the pastors, on one or two occasions the congregation authorized another pastor to come and lead the funeral service.

So it was that one Monday the receptionist got a phone call from a family that desperately wanted their mother's funeral in our sanctuary, even though she had transferred to another congregation many years ago. They also wanted one of the former pastors at their current congregation to preside at the service.

That sounded like a slightly strange request, but it was a funeral, and I am sympathetic with grieving people. We said that one of the pastors of our congregation (probably me) would work with them, along with the pastor that they wanted.