Freedom of the Press?

God was willing and Mom is now the Rev. Mom. Woo hoo! A more tired or blissful deacon you have probably never seen. The service Saturday was beautiful (the rain waited until Sunday - phew!) and packed.

I got to do double duty as one of my mom's presenters and as the Diocesan communications officer. Once my duties to her were done I was to wander and take photos of the service and the seven new deacons as they participated in said service.

Imagine my surprise when a woman (lightly) whacked me with her rolled-up order of service and told me not to take photos! I have been taking photos for the diocese since I was in high school and have worked as a professional journalist since 1989. I never dreamed that my first "assault" as a member of the press would happen within church!

I told her that I had the bishop's permission (he is my boss, after all) and she nodded and said "Sorry," but it was still about all I could do not to fall on the cathedral's floor and die laughing.

As I said, I've been doing this since high school and I know the dos and don'ts of church photography; walk softly and carry a quiet camera. I wear rubber-soled shoes and do not use the flash during the service. I'm the first to grind my teeth when I see flashes going off in services, especially important services when the flashes get to look like strobe lights. But the note in the order of service asked people to please refrain from the use of flash photography.

Next time I guess I'll have to ask the cathedral to print in the program:

Please refrain from both the use of flash photography and whacking the bishop's communications officer with your order of service.

The diocese's seven newest deacons gather with their mentor Venerable Canon Veronica Ritson, archdeacon, (third from left), the Rev. Pat Huls (second from right), and Bishop Kirk S. Smith (right) after the ordination service on Jan. 26. Greta Huls/Diocese of Arizona