Posted on 05/02/2018 5:27:34 PM PDT by marshmallow
No, it wasn’t a service intended to facilitate worship of music superstar Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, as one Nigerian publication incorrectly reported, but the recent “Beyoncé mass” at San Francisco’s Grace Episcopal Cathedral was predictably over-the-top.
According to glowing reports from California media, the gathering themed around the song catalogue of the former Destiny’s Child lead singer attracted approximately 900 participants to the April 25 midweek worship service. The crowd size was far in excess of the Episcopal congregation’s average Sunday attendance, which has dropped from 900 to 600 in the past decade.
The Beyoncé mass joins a long list of themed Eucharistic celebrations, among them the U2charist, the Dr. Seuss-themed “Seusscharist”, and the Clown Eucharist. Some feature artists’ popular music interspersed within an otherwise normal prayer book service, while the more outlandish have clergy dressed in costume.
Each share a common attribute: projects of mainline Protestants eager for media exposure and recognition as liturgical innovators.
Knowles-Carter has not publicly identified herself with the Episcopal Church – or the Christian faith in general – nor did she participate in the Grace Cathedral event. The performer’s identity as an African-American woman did shape the liturgy, with participants given a womanist version of the Lord’s Prayer to recite addressed to “Our Mother”. The prayer’s plea to “lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil” was exchanged for “Separate us from the temptation of empire, But deliver us into community.”
(Excerpt) Read more at juicyecumenism.com ...
What’s next a Weird Al Mass of Eat It?
It sounds bootylicious.
I loved this church from childhood. Grandeur. Sanctity. The Reformation’s hymns translated into the king’s English. Now, as a old man nearing the end of my run on earth, I feel nothing but sadness for where she has gone.
As for those who dragged her there, may God see fit to judge them in his infinite wisdom. Blessed is He, the true judge.
November 9, 1985 I was confirmed at Grace Cathedral. Bishop Swing anointed me with oil and slapped my face.
I watched that church in the Diocese of California fight from that day forward for inclusiveness and for a prayer to consumate homosexual marriage in the actual prayer book.
Not at all surprised by this latest.
The Beyoncé mass joins a long list of themed Eucharistic celebrations, among them the U2charist, the Dr. Seuss-themed “Seusscharist”, and the Clown Eucharist. Some feature artists’ popular music interspersed within an otherwise normal prayer book service, while the more outlandish have clergy dressed in costume.
Yes. I’ve seen that. Your denomination is falling apart.
It's about an Episcopal "mass", i.e. "protestant" like you.
If it’s a Mass it is not Christian. You keep getting hung up on denominations.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.