Sullivan UMC—J. Michael Smith
Taking Applications for Church “Yell Leaders”
I came across an article today on the history of cheerleaders—enthusiastic folks once known as “yell leaders.” When I was in high school, all the cheerleaders were female. The girls who got picked to be on that squad were way out of my league. No way any of them would ever go out with me.
But today I find out, all these decades later, that cheerleading was once a “guy thing.” Had I known that factoid back in the 70s, I might have used it as an excuse to get closer to that hallowed clique. But–probably not, as I was quite the chicken back then.
According to historical research, yell-leaders served two functions: 1) to encourage the team, and 2) to channel all that spectator testosterone into something innocent and harmless. Back when colleges were men-only, crowds attending sporting events were mostly made up of men. Yell leaders were thought to be a necessity in order to corral their wildness, misbehavior, and outrageous masculinity. In fact, four future presidents were once Yell Leaders in College: Franklin Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan, and George W. Bush. It takes a real man to control a horde of other men.
This brings me to a concern I have around here—so much male testosterone in our worship services. I can barely get through the hour as it surges through the congregation and threatens disruptions. So far I’ve managed to keep the crowds under control—but it could get out of hand any Sunday now.
Therefore, if any of you burly men are willing to step forward to be a Yell Leader for our church, please let me know. I promise you won’t have to wave a pom pom.
Around the Church
- Mary Ann Hecht will be leaving for one of her regular mission trips to Honduras on February 6. She is still in need of bright colored wash clothes to take with her. If you can donate, please get them to her by Monday so she has time to pack them. We will have a blessing for Mary Ann this Sunday before she leaves on her journey.
- And last, but NOT LEAST, tomorrow is Makenna Poe’s 16th birthday—which she will celebrate by going to get her driver’s license in the morning. (Please do not tell her that her pastor had to take his test twice before passing when he was 16.) Condolences may be sent to her parents, Alex and Trevor. If you see Alex and Trevor on Sunday, please approach them cautiously as they may be a bit jittery with all this going down.
Repertoire 