Posted on 11/19/2001 4:44:56 PM PST by dighton
THE Methodist Church is inviting all women worshippers to smash crockery during next Sunday's service as a symbolic "act of violence".
The addition of plate-smashing to the liturgy is the Church's novel way of marking the International Day of Action against Violence on Women.
"We hope the act will provide a powerful image of the violence experienced in the home," said the Methodist Church's Women's Network which composed the service.
For health and safety reasons, women are asked to secure the crockery in a plastic bag before beating it with a hammer "to prevent flying debris harming participants".
The crockery smashing will happen during the Act of Confession and Reconciliation and worshippers will then make a cross out of the broken pieces.
The minister will lead a prayer, saying: "We stand in solidarity with women and all victims of violence who are piecing their lives together."
The order of service, called Soaring Wings and Strengthened Dreams, also includes the testimony of a Baptist minister's wife who was beaten after church for serving Angel Delight at Sunday lunch.
The Rev Frances Biseker, one of the authors of the order of service and a minister in Stourbridge, West Midlands, said the plate smashing was designed to "bring into the open something very hidden".
She added: "We chose crockery because it is a very domestic item and many women may have been hit by flying crockery. We want to help women to come forward and tell their stories."
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I doubt this ever would have happened if this woman were wearing her burqua. Where's Mullah Omar when we need him?
What is Angel Delight?
But thanks for the ping to this long-forgotten thread, dormant since 12/7/01 and apparently revived directly above you by some troll.
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