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Recess
for Peace
Dispatch
from Forbearance
Presbyterian Church
by Charlotte Johnstone
It seemed like a good
idea at the time, Lois Borman thought. A small addition to Sunday services,
a gesture of congregational bonding, a well-wishing, a prayer for one’s
neighbor—how could that conceivably be unsettling to anyone? As
chair of Forbearance’s Worship Committee, Lois felt the committee’s
decision to insert the cordial and brief ritual of “passing the
peace” was utterly uncontroversial. Several people had to be convinced,
but in the end, the committee enthusiastically endorsed the idea for
Forbearance—so what could possibly go wrong?
After all, it was only a small supplement to the usual order of service
printed in a Sunday bulletin last month—simple and self-explanatory
. . .
The Peace—
A time to exchange with one another, by words and gesture a sign of
peace and reconciliation:
Greeting: “The peace of Christ be with you.”
Response: “And also with you.”
That inaugural Sunday, things were a little rough.
Charlotte Johnstone is a member of Immanuel Presbyterian
Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She (and the cast of Forbearance Presbyterian
Church) welcomes comments. Write to her at Horizons, 100 Witherspoon
St., Louisville, KY 40202-1396 or email wjohns4949@aol.com.
How do Presbyterian Women groups across the country think outside the
circle? Listen to the suggestions of how to diversify and enliven your
circles. Read the full text of this article in the September/October
2004 issue of Horizons. Call 800/524-2612
or click here to 
or click here to 
the September/October 2004 issue (HZN-04-240; $4 plus shipping) now. |
