When I was in the fourth grade, I began serving as an acolyte in the Methodist church. I remember it was one of the very few “positions” open to girls. We would process in before the service and go up to the altar to light the candles. Afterward the two of us would sit on opposite sides of the church and then we would rise together to extinguish the candles at the end of the service. In college (at Southern Methodist University) ironically I fell in love with the Episcopal Church. Now I have a little girl who is in the fourth grade and she has begun serving as an acolyte in the Episcopal Church. There are differences, as there is more responsibility in the Episcopal church versus when I was a Methodist. An acolyte in the Episcopal church is more like a torchbearer: two of them walk on either side of the crucifer (the acolyte who carries the cross/crucifix) up and down the aisle at the beginning and the end of the service. In addition, they accompany the priest when the Holy Gospel is read. My favorite is the thurifer, an acolyte who administers the incense. Additional duties of acolytes may include taking the offering plates from the ushers so that the priest may bless them, as well as carrying the Sacraments up to the Celebrant for consecration. It was my great honor to have attended my first “Stations of the Cross” with my little one serving as an acolyte. In Anglican, Roman Catholic, and Orthodox churches (Greek, Russian, Ethiopian, etc.) all around the sanctuary there are scenes depicted of Christ’s journey to His crucifixion. During Lent congregants may make a “pilgrimage,” following the path Jesus made to Calvary, from His condemnation to His entombment. Commonly, a series of fourteen images are arranged in chronological order, and there is a pause at each station to pray and to reflect. The cross upon which Christ was crucified was heavy; so are the torches acolytes carry to illuminate His journey. My little one held her tall, wooden torch throughout all fourteen stations, and I was afraid she could not maintain it for that long. I covertly snapped this picture of her first time to serve, kneeling at the altar, with the Sanctus bell off to her left. I began serving formally in the church in the fourth grade and now my daughter is as well … life’s cycles continuing. Empedocles was a pre-Socratic Greek philosopher who once said, “The nature of God is a circle of which the center is everywhere and the circumference is nowhere.” I love this so very much. We are all encompassed in the nature of God’s circle.
Lovely. I fell in love with Episcopal services at St. John’s. Hearing 500 children’s voices each morning singing hymns was beautiful and heavenly.
I especially loved hearing Seek Ye First in rounds. They also loved All Things Bright and Beautiful. Very special memories. ❤️❤️
Donna, Thanks so much for taking the time to read and respond. The Episcopal Church is a special place indeed.
I am a Catholic, but I can so relate to this. When I was the same age that your daughter is now, there was really nothing for girls. My older brothers were both altar boys (gosh, you can tell how far back I go using that term, LOL!). My dad was an usher. He also was in the Knights of Columbus, and served with St. Vincent de Paul, and served as a CCD teacher (now called Faith Formation) for the eighth graders who were preparing for their Confirmation. My mother was in Altar Society and sewed banners and repaired vestments. My grandmother was in the Ladies of the Rosary in her parish. But for little girls… there was really nothing. We didn’t even have a children’s choir when I was growing up. But when I got into about junior high, I became old enough to start participating with the “contemporary” guitar singers. Not my thing, really, and I longed to join the adults in the traditional Parish Choir. As soon as I was confirmed, I did just that, and have been a liturgical singer/choir member ever since.
All Things Bright and Beautiful– the John Rutter arrangement? Lovely, indeed.
Megan, Thank you for taking the time both to read and especially to respond! Our shared experiences show girls really do need a place in the church. I agree with you about the contemporary music; smells and bells for me. It just makes church feel more holy.
I was born and raised a Baptist however I do love reading about the different ways as a people we worship the same God. The ceremony sounds beautiful and its a wonderful feeling giving your child the gift of your knowledge. Thank you so much for sharing ❤
Thank you so much for reading! So many times I fear folks become convinced that their way is the only “right” way. I appreciate you taking the time both to read and to respond.