July 23, 2015

Pew in Church

July 23, 2015/ Alan Headbloom

In our American church sign series, we mentioned that U.S. churches often use their outdoor signs to announce scheduled events, share upcoming sermon topics, or give advice. Happily for passersby, church employees often post clever messages and give us something to think about––or laugh at. This week, our What's So Funny? segment continues the series. Do you get what's so funny?

Background

The rows of benches for sitting in church are called pews.

What's So Funny?

The above church sign asks us if we have terrible (stinky) lives. The church's response is an invitation to come to church and sit in the pews (and improve our lives). The sign is funny because the informal expression, "Phew!" means something smells very bad. When changing a child's messy diaper or when passing a dead skunk on the road, an American might say, "Phew, that stinks!" (Another way to say "phew" is "P.U." I have no idea what those two letters stand for.)

feel like you belong

Feel Like You Belong is a sometimes serious, sometimes funny, always “touch-your-heart” real conversation about fitting into the American culture. It introduces guests who have made the immigrant journey to the United States. The stories–of both struggle and success–will help newcomers feel more confident in sharing their opinions and expertise, more likely to want to stay in the U.S., be more productive in their jobs, and fully invest in their communities.