I read through Tony Jones' "Stations of the Cross" devotions this morning. Wow. I've gone through them before - only in book form, or on the 'net - and it amazes me how moving it can be. I can't imagine going through an actual setup.
NOTE TO SELF:
Consider doing the Stations on Maundy Thursday for the church.
Lately on Maundy Thursday we have had it in the basement, by candlelight. We begin with a soup and bread meal - with soft music playing (the 'Passion of the Christ' soundtrack, or Phil Keaggy instrumental, or something like that). I share some kind of devotion. We take communion. Usually sing a song or two accompanied by guitar only. And then we have a feetwashing service. We have done the feetwashing in a variety of ways.
This year I'm thinking of maybe still having the meal, taking communion, doing feetwashing, and then setting up maybe a 14-station set-up upstairs in the sanctuary. If I could get a pic of each station, and place a devotion and a prayer alongside it, with a candle at each place... Then just allow people to walk through alone or in couples.
It all sounds good now. Not sure of all the details though. This is where I wish I had another staff person to help out, or even someone else who was familiar with this sort of thing. But... it sounds like a very appealing idea right now. Perhaps I will use Tony's devotions, but not use station 15 (empty tomb). We can go there on Sunday.
Peace, friends. Revolution. (It just occurred to me that my daughter is a PR major in college. Of the 'public relations' kind though. There should be a 'peace & revolution' major.)
2 comments:
Wow, I thought footwashing had gone the way of the Holy Kiss. It used to be a non-negotiable for Mennonite congregations. When I was a kid my father told me stories of how footwashing made it difficult for congregants to hold onto grudges. As an example, he mentioned how his father, a banker, often found himself partaking with a debtor. I'm not sure when Mennonites (usually a literal-minded and anal-retentive bunch when it comes to applying New Testament edicts) got up the gumption to give footwashing the heave-ho, but I doubt there's a Menno congregation in my old hometown that practises the tradition. Nice to hear there are still congregations who practise it.
Yeah, there are some in our denomination (Churches of God, General Conference, Findlay, Ohio) who don't really like it (for obvious reasons). But it is actually one of our three ordinances (Communion, Baptism, and Feetwashing). Not only is it a humble reminder of servanthood, but we also feel it's a celebration of the incarnation of Christ. It's always a moving experience for me (except maybe the time I wore a new pair of dark socks and filled the water with fuzzies).
Thanks for the input.
d.
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