March 20th, 2008 - Maundy Thursday - Dancing in Sacred Space and Silence

Maundy Thursday again began our three day, three part service of Holy Week. This day commemorates the Last Supper, when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and established the Eucharist. “Mandatum novum do vobis” (“a new commandment I give to you”) is the command given by Christ at the Last Supper, that we should love one another.

Pastor Fred was the assistant pastor for the worship this evening.
It was clear entering the sanctuary that great care was taken to physically change parts of the worship space and reinvent what we are accustomed to. As Pastor Dayle preached in her sermon the space tonight was sacred, holy and set apart.

The platforms often used as raises for the altar were set up vertically rather than horizontally on each side of the primary, center entry door. The platforms were draped completely with plush, purple material and 10 candles on each side were set up and lit. The altar was in the center of the sanctuary with the chairs surrounding it. Creator’s colorful “story” cross was in front of a purple curtain positioned under the wall with the stain-glassed window and a modified prayer corner was still set up. With all these different areas it pulled the piano and music area into the worship space visually.

The unusual set up made for some unique worship moments in a unique service.

Pastor Dayle, in her sermon, took us through the unusual order of the service as well, for example the Sharing of the Peace immediately after the Confession. As an aside she pointed out at Creator for most it is the Hugging of the Peace. This was a moment of reconciliation as powerful as the foot washing was a moment of humility and service to one another later in the service.

The foot washing was a complex moment for me. I didn't want to be analyzing things too much but alot of evaluations were going through my head. The washing seemed to be done with more care this year. It was taking more time than in past years and, I believe, there were fewer stations so I wondered. Should I participate, how many others wished to do it and how long it would extend the service?

Also, in past years, people lined up and there wasn't a need to go up two by two as happened this year. In years past there was a line and took turns first washing then having their feet washed. I felt a different shared experience with Greg than I have in the past as a result. Yet I still remember each foot washing experience from years past far more vividly than I would expect.

To face everyone during the communion of this worship in the round Pastor Dayle kept turning in a beautiful way. It was like she was dancing during the words of institution. There was an informality about communion without the altar being between the congregation and the pastors that this played into as well. A wood cup for the wine accentuated this informality as well.

The silence at the end of the service after the altar was stripped was both profound and charged. This silence was not the silence of contemplation that fell over us in our Lent worships. It was difficult to break this evening's heavy silence that was hard on our souls for the choir practice that took place afterwards.