Investing in Acolytes

Were you ever an acolyte? ARE you an acolyte? Ah, in my yoot as a Roman Catholic, there were only altar boys. Remember those days... whether in the USA Episcopal tradition or another?

In those simpler days, it was just one of those things, one of those rites of passage. You got old enough to do some things in church, but not old enough to do others and this was one venue.

All dressed up and one very particular place (or places) to go, we learned how to get all the zippers zipped, the buttons buttoned and the rope (or girdle or cincture) tied. Often, it wasn't tied in a simple way because a priest taught us and they just taught us the way to tie things with two loops either side of the navel... in a priestly way to batten down the stole -- except you weren't a priest and you didn't wear a stole. Details, details.!

Oh, there were - and still are - many a congregation where you learned the exact name for each part of the church, each appointment, each vessel. Then there was the tricky lighting and extinguishing of candles..... simply two or multiple candleabras plus a pascal candle.... with everyone watching your back.

We have been pretty thorough about how we pay attention to maintaining the outward ritual of corporate worship: do we do as much for the training and maintenance of the spiritual training of acolytes? Since it is an icon of service, how do we instill and support the inner life of our acolytes, particularly in ways that will grow and mature over their years in their daily lives - in church and out?

Does your parish have a program for retreats of acolytes? specific quiet days? peer support? If you have a comprehensive system for your acolytes, drop me a line @ deaconj@geraniumfarm.org.