Maundy Thursday

pastorkeith · Post by **pastorkeith** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 8:48 pm

Thursday is Maundy Thursday.
We set up two chairs after the sermon and fill two basins with water and set aside a few fluffy white towels and have the two ministers kneel next to the chairs and invite anyone who wants to, to come up and sit in the chairs.

The kneeling people wash the feet of the people in the chairs and then hand them the towels. Two more volunteers come up and get their feet washed then take the towels and wash the next persons and so on until everything who desires to participate does so. People are not selected ahead of time and everyone chooses to particpate or not on their own.

Some people come up eagerly, others out of curiosity and some not at all. Somehow I like the idea that everyone must make a decision to participate or not. I suggest that holding someone's feet in one's hands and washing those feet can be transformative.

pastorkeith

Congratulations · Post by **Congratulations** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 9:16 pm

Yeah, I have a foot thing. (What's the opposite of a fetish?) So I wouldn't be participating.

Sounds nice, though. Very powerful, in its own way.

jw wren · Post by **jw wren** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 10:04 pm

Certainly more transformative and powerful than putting inflatable plastic Easter Bunnies in the trees outside your house (ref: Easter Traditions topic).

BillChin · Post by **BillChin** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 12:15 am

The Queen also hands out tiny silver coins known as Maundy money.

Here is a pic of real old Maundy money:

Walden · Post by **Walden** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 4:14 am

Foot washing is a profound part of the Church's teaching.

pastorkeith · Post by **pastorkeith** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 7:02 am

Walden wrote:Foot washing is a profound part of the Church's teaching.

It is something that Catholics and Protestants can do together to express what binds them together, while other things point out what separates them.

pastorkeith

fearfaoin · Post by **fearfaoin** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 8:22 am

That's interesting. Very humbling, on both sides...

In the Lutheran churches I used to attend, we would end the Maundy
Thursday service by stripping the alter in silence. It's quite powerful,
especially when you come back Easter Sunday to a bright alter strewn
with lillies.

djm · Post by **djm** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 8:41 am

This is the most perverse thread I have ever seen. We have gone from the deliberate attempt to confuse everybody whether it is Maundy or Thursday, to foot fetishists, to public nudity, and now to draping your lily over the altar. Is there no end to this depravity?

djm

Jack · Post by **Jack** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 9:03 am

Congratulations wrote:Yeah, I have a foot thing. (What's the opposite of a fetish?) So I wouldn't be participating.

Sounds nice, though. Very powerful, in its own way.

You're afraid of feet? That could have a deep psycho-spiritual root, you know. (Only half-joking.)

Caroluna · Post by **Caroluna** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 9:11 am

djm wrote:We have gone from the deliberate attempt to confuse everybody whether it is Maundy or Thursday, to foot fetishists, to public nudity....

Come on Deej, footwashing is good for the sole.
Why do you have to be such a heel?

We started doing a Maundy Thursday service with footwashing about 3 yrs ago. The idea was brought in by our choir director, who grew up in a different denomination (Church of the Brethren). Not only do I think the service is wonderful, but it's really encouraging to see change and flexibility in our church

gonzo914 · Post by **gonzo914** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 9:17 am

I note that the same basin and towels are shared by the entire congregation, which looks to me like a good way to ensure the subsequent spread of toenail fungus is shared by the entire congregation as well.

Jack · Post by **Jack** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 9:20 am

gonzo914 wrote:I note that the same basin and towels are shared by the entire congregation, which looks to me like a good way to ensure the subsequent spread of toenail fungus is shared by the entire congregation as well.

Our Lord God Almighty in his Son Jesus Christ can surely overcome a toenail fungus.

Denny · Post by **Denny** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 9:27 am

Cranberry wrote:
gonzo914 wrote:I note that the same basin and towels are shared by the entire congregation, which looks to me like a good way to ensure the subsequent spread of toenail fungus is shared by the entire congregation as well.
Our Lord God Almighty in his Son Jesus Christ can surely overcome a toenail fungus.

great for them....what about the rest of us?

Jack · Post by **Jack** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 9:29 am

Denny wrote:
Cranberry wrote:
gonzo914 wrote:I note that the same basin and towels are shared by the entire congregation, which looks to me like a good way to ensure the subsequent spread of toenail fungus is shared by the entire congregation as well.
Our Lord God Almighty in his Son Jesus Christ can surely overcome a toenail fungus.
great for them....what about the rest of us?

The God who cures toenail fungus is the creator of us all.

gonzo914 · Post by **gonzo914** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 9:49 am

Cranberry wrote:
Denny wrote:
Cranberry wrote: Our Lord God Almighty in his Son Jesus Christ can surely overcome a toenail fungus.
great for them....what about the rest of us?
The God who cures toenail fungus is the creator of us all.

Credo in unum Deum Lamisilium omnipotentem; factorum coeli et terrae, visibilium omnium et invisibilium . . .

- or if you prefer -

I believe in one God, Lamisil Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible . . .