THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, March 25, 1995 TAG: 9503250434
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: Guy Friddell
LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
A column Thursday dealt with my finding relief in singing hymns while driving a car with windows I couldn't close to a chill wind.
That drew a note from Alouise Ritter of Norfolk, former schoolteacher, about what she sang in a similar crisis.
Her experience occurred ``more than ten years ago when a surprise snowstorm dumped several inches of snow in a short time.''
``School closed early in Loudoun County where I was teaching but not before the road became hazardous,'' she said. ``I was riding `shotgun' that day while my dear friend, Nancy, slowly inched our 22-mile journey home. I sat quietly, prayerful, and intently so as not to distract my capable partner. Suddenly, she said, `Sing, Alouise. Sing!'
``Being brought up in the church and a minister's wife since 1957, I could sing all the songs you sang and then some; but all I could bring to mind in that emergency was:
`` `I wish I was a little cake of soap. . . I wish I was a little cake of soap. . . I'd go slippy, slippy, slidy over everybody's hidy. . . I wish I was - '
``But as years have passed by, I realize that was probably better than `Lord, I'm Coming Home.' ''
I chatted with Alouise Ritter, author of two books, wife of the Rev. James Ritter of Aldersgate Methodist Church in Norfolk, mother of their four children. Their youngest son, Ken, is a senior at Old Dominion University and part-time announcer at WPMH in Chesapeake.
In their 38 years, the Ritters have served 20 churches, sometimes four at a time. She drew on that background in writing ``Parsonage Handbook,'' published in 1981.
In mid-February, her children's book, ``Kelly's Butterfly,'' came off the press. Softbound, it sells for $6.95, plus $1.50 for handling and mailing. To order, write her at 229 Pefley Drive, Norfolk, 23502.
She grew up in Alexandria. Her family was attuned to the church, especially its music. Both her parents sang in the choir.
``I think I was born in the choir loft,'' she said. ``I wouldn't know what to wear on Sunday except a choir robe.''
She and her husband met at Lynchburg College where she was studying for a degree in religious education and he was preparing for the Methodist ministry.
They have served in churches throughout Virginia, and she taught all elementary grades in the localities where they were appointed.
Her parsonage tips include a reminder to tie the family dog securely during services. Their collie, Sandy, got loose one Sunday and came down the center aisle to the altar where her husband was kneeling for the prayer of confession for communion. ``Sandy was so happy to see my husband,'' she said.
She grabbed Sandy's collar and ushered him out. ``Most of the congregation had their heads bowed in prayer and missed it,'' she said. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo by LAWRENCE JACKSON, Staff
In addition to singing, Alouise Ritter has published two books.
by CNB