I was at the donut shop last Sunday morning, getting a quota of sugar and caffeine to perk up for church.  A man ahead in line ordered a large cup of coffee.  He told the cashier he was headed to the gym for basketball, a pick-up game he’s played in for fifteen years.  It didn’t look like he was going to wash up and head to church afterward.  There wouldn’t have been time anyway. 

Everyone has Sunday morning rituals — some read The New York Times, and others play basketball.  Many luxuriate in their one morning to sleep in.  My rituals include worship at church (and typically a Sunday afternoon nap).  I wonder, though, what it would be like not to be a religious person, not to attend a formal church service.  Would I go if my job didn’t require it? 

After Barbara Brown Taylor flamed out of the Episcopal priesthood, her Sunday morning rituals included sitting on the porch, drinking hot tea and worshipping with the birds.