First Time?
20 December 2007 - 12 טבת 5768 by Huw
(Reposted from the Old Blog. 1 of 2, I thought them worth the repost)
Dear Visitor:
Welcome to All Saints of the Melting Pot Orthodox Church. We’re very glad you chose to visit us. Whatever has brought you here, from wherever you come, no matter on which path you walk, welcome.
Second only to God, you are the most important person here today. The scripture tells us that guests might often be angels, and our Tradition expands that by insisting that the guest (you) is Christ Himself. St Benedict even tells us to greet you with a prostration! We’re sure you have some questions - and perhaps even more after the service - and we want to offer answers to them. But we’ll do that in person. This note is just an attempt at making you feel comfortable during your first visit - a paper prostration, as it were. Here are some things we thought you might want to know:
You are not late. Beyond the noted service times, prayers start from the time people first come through the door and end some time in the middle of lunch afterwards! The entire day is an act of prayer. Join us as you can.
You will notice that most folks are silent - this may continue right through the service although there are times when people will be singing or speaking aloud. Although there are service books available for your use you may find it easier to spend your first service quietly praying along and observing.
You’ll see a lot of people doing a lot of things - making the sign of the cross, bowing (sometimes both at the same time) sitting, standing, kneeling, prostrating, kissing things, lighting candles, picking up or dropping off things at the candle stand. We feel that worship of God should include the body and all its senses. But you needn’t do any of these things. You will not offend us. You will not offend God. Do what feels comfortable and what you understand. Please do not feel you need to do anything “to blend in.” That includes sitting silently lost in the corner: our worship of God is not sincere if we cause you to feel cut off from that very worship. Feel free to find one of our greeters or, indeed, ask anyone nearby if you need help during the service.
We can not offer you communion. We teach that participation in this sacred act is only for members of the Church - and even then, only for those who have the blessing of their pastor to partake. But following communion you may be presented with a piece of bread by one or more members of the congregation. Do not worry if you are not Orthodox, or even if you are not Christian. This blessed bread is not communion - and is intended exactly as it seems: an act of fellowship.
At the end of the service everyone will come forward kiss the cross and greet the priest. You are invited to come forward as well, but if you do not feel comfortable doing so, that is fine!
Please do come to the time of fellowship afterwards: there will be food and coffee. We do hope you’ll start asking questions right off the bat! We are all worshipping and learning together.
Returning to our first point - we are each a guest in God’s house. We all walk the road of repentance together and we may well make mistakes. We ask you to forgive us if we do anything to offend you. It is not our intent. Our heartfelt prayer is that we may have the grace to greet you as Christ among us. We ask your prayers as well, that we may do so.
(See the Original Discussion on this post here.)
