[lanceboyle]

They Shirley Maclain type gesture can best be described as holding their arms up palms forward toward the Celebrant. Also, thanks to the other folks for their opinions in this matter. I thought I was being divisive by being wierded out by this practice, evidently not. Hopefully this hippie stuff will blow over eventually.

[Salvation]

They Shirley Maclain type gesture can best be described as holding their arms up palms forward toward the Celebrant

This is a gesture of opening oneself up to receiving the word of God during the Our Father.

The church was concentrating on community building, hence the holding of hands to indicate 'one community'.

New leanings are to the outstretched hands in open reception of God the Father during the Our Father; it is going back to being a very individual thing, but also does have that community and openness aspect with the outstretched hands.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Ah, yes. We have a lot of Shirley McClaines in our church -- and it weirds me out. I'm in your camp. I don't like drinking wine after 100 other people -- especially since I have become a Eucharistic Minister and know how they DON'T wash the chalices.