Posted on 04/25/2006 2:45:40 PM PDT by sionnsar
When I first read this Living Church article on proposed ECUSA "prayers and rites for many of life’s major transitions," I was a more than a little irritated by it since the whole thing screamed Baby Boomer narcissism:
In a Blue Report of nearly 42,000 words, the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music (SCLM) has proposed prayers and rites for many of life’s major transitions, including birth, betrothal, and death. All of these prayers and rites are supplemental to what appears in the Book of Common Prayer. Deputies and bishops to General Convention will discuss, revise, and vote on the prayers at the 75th legislative session in June.
These are excerpts from some of the prayers proposed by the SCLM:
• Becoming a big brother or sister. “Through the birth of a baby to his mother and father, N. has become a big brother. Help him to be patient and gentle with himself and the baby as he learns to share his home, his parent(s), and his toys.”
• Going on a pilgrimage. “Holy One, your Spirit leads us through the journey of our lives as we walk, run, dance, crawl, stumble, leap, and fly. You never abandon us, but always beckon: Come! Go! Follow! Return!”
• For godly expression of one’s sexuality. “This young person, N., is opening his heart to learn the wideness of love. As he strives to discover who he is, whose he is, and the person he is given to love, may he be guided, protected, and encouraged by you, O Love Incarnate.”
Since this is ECUSA, I don't want to know how that last one will be used. Cue cantankerous old man voice. I wonder how my parents, brothers and sisters ever made it as far as they did without special "prayers and rites for many of life’s major transitions."
Not to go all tautological on you or anything but when my mom started teaching, she just started teaching. When my dad retired, he retired. When my brother Steve and my sisters Roberta and Jennifer suddenly confronted my existence, the poor saps had to tough it out.
For that matter, when I turned 50, I didn't feel the need to run off to a church and go through some kind special rite for librarian/bloggers who just turned 50. End cantankerous old man voice. I was all set to dismiss this as yet another ECUSA complete waste of time until I ran across this.
Other supplemental services, which the SCLM calls Rites of Passage, include a service to celebrate “graduation from elementary school, entrance into middle school, or turning 13”
Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for the Episcopal bar mitzvah!
I am totally on board with this idea. Who wouldn't be? I mean, what father wouldn't swell with pride watching his son, wearing his first Armani suit, ascend the pulpit, pick up one of those pointers and read from the canons in front of the whole church? What mother wouldn't beam when her daughter substituted a selection from her favorite Gossip Girl book for the day's Scripture reading?
The possibilities are endless. If nothing else, this guy could make some extra money playing Episcopal bar mitzvah parties from one end of this country to the other. And that brings up the question of what an appropriate Episcopal bar mitzvah party gift would be. Money? Stocks? Bonds? Junior's first bottle of vintage Port? The deed to an orthodox parish?
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams. Yes, but doesn't it feel good knowing you could?
(attempting to hide smile)
I'll guess there are rites for sex change surgery and dealing with orthodox congregants.
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