Pride In The Pews Novels & Stories

The preacher approaches the pulpit, clears his throat, and puts on his glasses. Everyone falls silent, the weight of the moment settling over the room like a heavy fog. "This, is, a tragedy. How cruel the world can be. We all take life for granted, not knowing if the next day will be our last. A few weeks ago we said goodbye to our sister Mirah, and today we bid farewell to our brother Frank. We have lost two good people, people of this church. I can't say that my heart isn't heavy, but I stand here today. I look into each one of your hearts, and I can see that you all are deeply troubled as well. At this time, let us pray."

Ep 1: "Preacher Man, Still Hard for Me?" Lisa "You really gonna stand there preaching about resisting temptation when your ex is sitting in the front row with her tits half out?" The words slipped from my lips the second Pastor Joe’s eyes landed on me during his closing prayer. His jaw tightened so hard I saw the muscle jump under that neatly trimmed beard. The microphone in his hand dipped for half a second before he caught it. A few heads turned in the small Sunday crowd, but most people just kept their eyes closed, murmuring amens.

He continued, “We have participants from over twenty churches this year. Let’s give thanks for the gift of music and community.” He bowed his head. “Let’s pray.” Everyone followed. Hands clasped, heads down. His prayer was long and dramatic—something about voices rising like incense, and the spirit of unity filling our lungs. When it ended, the applause came again. Then he smiled brightly. “And now, without further delay, let’s welcome our first performers—St. Anthony’s Parish!” The choir in matching pins stood, all composure and confidence, walking to the stage like professionals. Lily leaned over. “I’m already intimidated.”

I didn’t want anyone to ask questions. So I sat in the corner. Far back. Quiet. Very unlike me. Every time I closed my eyes to pray, Caleb’s face came up. His voice came up. His mouth came up. My breath caught. I pressed my legs together again, shaking my head fast like, No no no, not here God, please, not church! But the thoughts kept hitting me. Then suddenly— “Grace,” someone called from the stage. “Please come forward and lead the praise and worship for us.”

I knew that as soon as she did, more would replace them. “She would have loved this,” Chloe murmured as we stepped into the small church. It was packed wall to wall with pack members, all of whom nodded in respect as we passed. There was a small space in the front row reserved for Chloe and me. We sat down, and the priestess stepped onto the small stage, her arms outstretched. Chloe reached between us and grabbed my hand, holding it tightly in her own. I squeezed it in support. Finally it came time for Chloe to speak. She rose on shaking legs and made her way to the small podium. She glanced out over the see of pack members, and the hint of a smile colored her lips.

Everything was just moving too fast and taking a whole different direction and I found the need to remind everyone that God is the only one who deserves praise. “ I am really grateful about the immense amount of support and show of solidarity that I have been getting from people, especially you, the members of the parish”, I said during homily on a Sunday, “ words alone cannot describe how grateful I am”, I continued, “ but then, I would like us to remind ourselves that we are nothing. That as human beings we count as nothing before God. He is our all and all, He is the source of our strength, He is our provider, our restorer, He is the one who works through us. Without him we cannot do anyt

51 JIDE I watched, just like everyone, as Ivory was led to the back row of the church hall. "Attention, people of God. Do not let the devil distract you," the priest said in Igbo, returning the attention of the members back to him. Mama gave me a scowl before bowing her head in shame. I could imagine the storm she will brew once we got home. Some older members gave us disgusted glances while some hissed and gruntled. The younger members had excitement dancing in their eyes; they chattered happily and I could tell they admired Ivory's bravado.

I just hoped I was right, and she hadn’t done anything stupid. Once everyone had taken their respective seats the priest took to the podium. I sat in the front row with Lilith and Raven either side of me. Each of their hands in one of my own placed in my lap. I needed their comfort right now and wasn’t remotely bothered who knew it. I may be an Alpha but I’m not heartless man. As we bowed our heads for the final prayer the doors to the rear of the chapel were flung open as Hollie stumbled in laughing as she stopped herself from falling.

I watched the Pride interact as more filtered through and found seats around the sandy edges. Althea said they were 500 strong and looked as if almost all 500 hundred Pride members had come to celebrate. I sip my wine, watching, and observing. The vibrant enthusiasm rolled off the Pride members and into me. I could almost taste their fever and it excited me. Creating my body to hum in tune with their animation. The area is lit by torches, giving the scene an ethereal and magical feel.

Jeremiah decided to sit on the front row’s bench while Archbishop Joseph was standing on the pulpit and began to lead the mass prayer. The best way was to prove how worthy of ourselves to others so they would change their opinion about us and wait for people to start to talk about someone else.