da parson

Of the many roles I've filled, the one that has consumed more time than any is that of "parson", an old-fashioned name for a minister, pastor, reverend or clergy. It is a corruption of the word "person". The term itself is at least 800 years old. In towns and settlements in the US, the "parson" was "the man", often the most educated person in the area. He was well connected because all of the big days that were celebrated had to be solemnized by him. "da" as the modifier (think "da' Bears") makes it a little more edgy and hip, I think. Its my way of saying I'm still an old fashioned "parson", with a 21st century sensibility.