At the last meeting (a twelve week group) each women took turns kneeling at the feet of the one before her. As she washed her feet she spoke of the attributes she had learned about the person through the group and what she admired about her. It was quite emotional and many tears were shed. I can say it was one of the most moving experiences in my Christian life. Seeing women who did not know each other but shared a common goal - forgiveness and healing - come together in humility and genuine love and concern for each other was amazing. I will never forget it.
INDEED.
I structured the Tres Dias footwashing similarly.
The table leader washed each fellow’s feet, prayed over the person, etc. and put new socks on.
There were virtually always tears on most folks parts on both sides of the footwashing.
When we were still forming the committee the first time for Taiwan . . . the pastor et al were hesitant—resistent, actually. However, the industrialists home we were meeting in were for it . . . so the last committee meeting, we’d scheduled Communion anyway—we just added footwashing for the committee. Holy Spirit joined us. There was no more argument or resistence.
It became a settled part ‘forevermore.’
And part of the music for the men’s was Jack Hayford’s anthem:
I AM A MAN that we finished with in a circle linked arms. Very moving.