01 January 2013

"Acolytes"


I've been meaning for a while to put something together here about chick acolytes, but Pastor Beisel has spared me the trouble. Take a listen, and don't miss FatherHollywood's comment about what's vesting got to do with it, got to do with it.

The way to include people is not to give them figurehead jobs requiring no skill or personal improvement. That is nearly as bad in and for the church as dressing girls up like men. I also don't get it when women object to Altar Guild service as being somehow demeaning. Hasn't Martha Stewart built an empire on the premise that setting a beautiful table is worth it?

3 comments:

Untamed Shrew said...

Yes, girls DO grow up to ask, "If I was allowed to don a white robe and sit up front to acolyte, then why I can't I do it, you know, full-time?" It can be pretty tough to convince an 18-year-old entering college that her way of life for the past decade or so has been, at best, misleading.

There was a statement about the good girls wanting to be helpful. This comes with the added responsibility of the congregation to allow help only in ways that will not burden a girl's conscience later in life. I have participated in many, many things (including liturgical dance) simply out of respect for authority when a pastor, pastor's wife, or youth group leader asked me to "serve."

Untamed Shrew said...

Just. For. You.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0S2WlvNTU8

Rebekah said...

I've done more than my share of "helpful" things in church too. :P