What *not* to do in Church

Jeff Miller notes what one smart pastor published in his bulletin. Rules for behavior in Church:

• 1-No gum is to be chewed in the church.
• 2-Silence cell phones before you enter the chapel.
• 3-Save conversations for the entrance area or the social hall.
• 4-Please do no let children draw in the church with pens, pencils, crayons, or markers.
• 5-If your small child must have a snack during, it is YOUR responsibility to clean up after them. Also, no snacks that are sticky or have the potential to stain.
• 6-Please no juice or milk in bottles. Water only in the church.
• 7-Don't let children walk on the pews wearing shoes or to stand with their shoes resting against the pew seats.
• 8-Kneelers are for kneeling. The are not footrests.
• 9-Straighten up your own pew before you leave. Replace books in the rack, take any trash with you, and leave the kneelers in the upright position.
• All parishioners, please help us keep these rules. If you see someone who is out of line, please gently remind them of their obligations.

I've witnessed every one of these issues that the pastor is trying to eliminate, and I think it's reasonable for him to ask that people abide by them. Most of my life I've attended Mass with multiple siblings (including infants and toddlers) so I know that keeping to these rules is possible. Sure Mom or Dad might have to take a noisy child to the back of the Church, but that's better than turning your pew into a makeshift playpen.