I learned a new word, editing the text of Worship At St Gregory’s last night. In an earlier edition, the following text:
Our Choir Director joins the other ministers in the vestry, where all together recite George Herbert’s poem “Aaron,” etched on the vestry mirror as a sacristy prayer. The vested party then exchange the Peace - warm embraces all around.
Was changed to end thus:
The vested party then exchange an affectionate abrazo.
Abrazo is the Spanish word for “embrace” and I gather it carries some South-western US cultural references as well. I’d never heard the word before and had to google it, so I thought it might be a stumbling point and I edited it as you see above.
But neither “Abrazo” nor my edit can fully convey what’s happening.
The vestry at St Gregory’s is large - but not really large enough to serve as a dressing room for several priests, a cantor, several deacons and two umbrella-carriers. People come and go, vesting and leaving to make room for others. At the time for the service to begin a runner usually needed to be dispatched to find someone - no doubt out chatting with a parishioner or invited guest. And then the entire party crowds into the vestry and, as the text indicates, reads George Herbert’s poem “Aaron,” as a meditative beginning to the rite.
Then we pass the peace. The overhead lights of the vestry have been killed by now. There is only the dappled light filtered through the garden and coming in through the high windows. The congregation is quiet outside and we, too, are nearly whispering as we pass the peace amongst ourselves before presenting our gift at the altar.
I remember many warm hugs and kisses at this time. Smiles. Encouragement given to newbies, last minute whispered suggestions passed to the preacher. I remember hats being straightened and smiles. Smiles.
This was one of the most wonderful times of Sunday morning. It led to even better times… but it all started here.
