Tim

Several years ago I was helping to organize the acolytes prior to a confirmation service here at St. Martin's – a service that was being officiated by Bishop Robert Wright. One of my children was a candidate for confirmation and the other two were serving as acolytes. About 45 minutes before the start of the service, Bishop Wright asked to speak to all of the confirmation candidates. The kids were seated in the front two pews on the left side of the church and the rest of the church was still mostly empty. Bishop Wright walked slowly back and forth in the aisle in front of that first pew smiling at the group. Then he paused and asked:

 "How many of you have cell phones?"

That question was followed by wide-eyed hesitancy, then a flurry of desperate looks, and ultimately a reluctant chorus of silent head nods.

"Take then out." Bishop Wright demanded, still with a hint of a smile.

 Hands reached into pants and bags and electronics were slowly extracted. Like the kids, I held my breath. Was he going to have those phones silenced, turned off completely, or confiscated for the next two hours? I stood ready to collect 20 phones if asked.

"I need you to turn those phones on!" Bishop Wright instructed. "I also need you to text all your friends right now! Tell then what you are about to do! Tell them that you are about to make a public expression of your faith! Tell them about your journey with God!"

Bishop Wright grinned at the stunned young people, and then headed back to the Sacristy to put on his vestments, while the confirmands, with some shaking fingers, began to type on their cell phones.