Since winter was fast approaching, the preacher was invited to sit close to the fireplace in the drawing room. His reluctant parishioner began to explain his recent absences, and as he did so, the preacher took the poker and moved a large glowing ember a few inches away from the rest of the fire. The parishioner described how his spiritual formation was well served by home Bible study and regular meditative prayer. As he spoke he noticed that the fire in the separated ember was slowly going out.

As he went on, insisting that his departure from his church family in no way diminished his life in Christ, the ember went out completely. The pastor scooted the dead ember back towards the fire, and they both watched as it was rekindled by the heat of contact with the rest of the fire. For several minutes they did not speak. Then the parishioner stood up shook the pastor s hand and said, See you on Sunday.