Missing the Rabbi

In the annals of modernist art, three European Jewish names stand out: Marc Chagall, Chaim Soutine, and Amedeo Modigliani. A fourth should be added. This is Emmanuel Mané Katz. Born in 1894 to a traditional Jewish family in the Ukraine, he moved to Paris at the age of nineteen to pursue a career as a painter, and there joined the three more fabled artists named above. Together, they have been loosely called the School of Paris. [Not Marc Chagall, Aryeh Tepper]

Les Désguisés, M. Laurencin

In 1986 my mother and I visited the Petit Palais museum in Geneva, Switzerland. My primary reason for wanting to visit was to see artwork by Marie Laurencin, whose paintings of women I had come to admire. Before leaving the Petit Palais we went to the gift store where I purchased a print of one of Laurencin's paintings along with a print by Emmanuel Mané- Katz. He was completely unknown to me that day and sadly, for many years I wasn't even sure of his name when it hung on my living room wall. 

The Rabbi was painted towards the end of Mane-Katz' life in 1960.  Typical of his later work it is bright and colorful with a red-headed rabbi and a Torah cover of bright green. Rabbis, Torah covers and members of the Jewish community were primary subjects for M-K.  If, like me you've spent years with one of his paintings, you will see that the faces in The Rabbi are mirrored in many of M-K's work. Although, I must say, that I find the expressions in my painting to be particularly deep and meaningful.

Three years ago we moved twice in one summer and some how the rabbi never made it to our final destination. There is no way to truly replace the print. I can't go back to the Petit Palais gift shop. In fact, nobody can! It was a privately owned museum which closed after the owner died. The paintings are cared for by a trust which loans them to museums around the world. To date I can find no trace of my painting. I have searched for hours with little luck. M-K had a few favorite subjects, rabbis, students, Hasidic communities and Klezmer musicians. Every so often there is a still life of flowers or a bare breasted woman, but mostly it's Jewish men teaching, praying, worshipping or simply being, all of which makes this search more difficult. In the meantime though, I have come to have a deeper appreciation for this artist whose work clearly demonstrates his connections to Chagall, Picasso and others of his age. Again from Tepper's 2011 post in Jewish Ideas Daily.

The Rabbi, Emmanuel Mané-Katz

"Mané-Katz's connection to the Jewish world was based on more than nostalgia for a vanished past. He first visited the land of Israel in 1928, and returned often even while spending most of his adult life in Paris. During Israel's 1948-49 war of independence, he arrived with sixty of his paintings for an exhibition at the Tel Aviv museum; he was the fourth tourist formally to enter the newborn country.

"His love affair with Israel was officially consummated in 1958 when the city of Haifa offered him a modest villa perched on Mount Carmel overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, with the understanding that his works would be stored there after he passed away. He died suddenly four years later, in 1962. Today, the site is home to the Mané Katz museum." [A. Tepper] 

Today I emailed a used book store which has a museum catalog featuring the work of Mane-Katz. The Rabbi is the cover artwork and I am hoping it is of a size worth framing. On the other hand, if it is only as big as a snapshot, that might be okay as well. It would still remind me of the day with my mother; the lovely house that became a museum; and what it means for me to study the Hebrew Bible.

Living in the Gap

I'm on leave from call. It happens. For those unfamiliar with the phrase, it means I don't currently have a job. There are various reasons why pastors find themselves in this space. Changes in their personal lives. Changes at the church. Changes in perspective. Whatever the cause, it means living in the gap between the last thing and the next. 

Living in the gap means that you can probably wear pajama pants for most of the day. The key to this practice is to take a shower before other people come home from work and then change into clean pajama pants. Nobody is expecting you to put on makeup, but there are bonus points if you do more than let your hair air drip dry. 

You can catch an afternoon nap if you're minding the gap,  but try to schedule it before those other people come home. It's bad form to consistently be found lollygagging on the couch while others have put in a full day of work. If possible, do something during the day that is a visible sign that you did more than binge watch old tv shows. I have found that making dinner, emptying the dishwasher or starting a load of laundry are all seen as signs of life. Housemates may find it especially thrilling if you do one of their regular chores. It's a twofer. You get points for the chore itself, plus you're seen as being thoughtful.

If this sounds like the manipulations of a lazy person, you might be right. On the other hand, living in this particular gap can be emotionally exhausting. Looking for a new job is the hardest job around and the church doesn't like to make it too easy. There are pages of paperwork to complete with essays detailing your gifts, your skills and your favorite thoughts about God. 

As you consider what to say on all those forms, you are regularly reminded that you aren't doing any of those things that you claim to find important and engaging. It doesn't help that nobody is calling you Pastor. You see Pastor is not just a job or vocation, it's also a title. It even becomes part of your name. The number of people who call me Heidi is a mere fraction of the number who call me Pastor Heidi or just Pastor. Here in the gap, I'm Heidi or Mom. Even the dog thinks my name is Mom! 

It's not smart to get too comfortable here in the gap. You need to keep an eye on the third rail and God forbid you build a little fort down here with blankets and tv trays. Keeping busy is good. Doing those things that you said you would do some day can provide healthy activity. But every so often, take a look at what's on the other side of the gap. Look around. See what's there. Where are the best hand holds for climbing out when the time comes?

I am making a list of things to do this summer. There is a good combination of creativity, practical housekeeping, education and preaching for vacationing colleagues. All of which is good, but it's happening outside of my regular life. I'm living in the gap. 

Endeavoring to Balance Myself

Greetings Friends!

This morning I went on a hunt for poetry. I searched for words that might have been written in 1918 when the Spanish flu epidemic was raging in this country. I don’t know what I thought I would find but find something I did. September 1918 was written by Amy Lowell who was an American writer, editor, translator and performer who dedicated her life to the cause of modern poetry. Her thoughts apply more to World War 1 as seen in line 9. However, I found it to be a lovely encouragement to appreciate the blessings that are ours this day and to remember that the difficulties of this present time won’t last forever.

This afternoon was the color of water falling through sunlight;

The trees glittered with the tumbling of leaves;

The sidewalks shone like alleys of dropped maple leaves,

And the houses ran along them laughing out of square, open windows.

Under a tree in the park,

Two little boys, lying flat on their faces,

Were carefully gathering red berries

To put in a pasteboard box.

Some day there will be no war,

Then I shall take out this afternoon

And turn it in my fingers,

And remark the sweet taste of it upon my palate,

And note the crisp variety of its flights of leaves.

To-day I can only gather it

And put it into my lunch-box,

For I have time for nothing

But the endeavor to balance myself

Upon a broken world.

In the middle of this last week I was at that place of “endeavoring to balance myself” and I was failing miserably. Thankfully, texting with friends and phoning my mother helped me get closer to being in balance. I will admit that I am better at telling others to reach out, than at reaching out myself, but none of us needs to go it alone.

So how are you doing? We are all dealing with some level of anxiety and it can be exhausting. Please make sure you are taking care of yourself and if you find that you need someone to cheer you on, please reach out. 

Walking as Children of Light

Dear Family in Christ-

The appointed second lesson for this past Sunday was Ephesians 5:8-14. One of the images that the author uses throughout the letter is the idea that Christians are a part of one family. He uses words like adoption and inheritance, asserting that we are “members of God’s household.” In chapter five, the writer argues that if your parent is light, then you should resemble your parent in the way that you live.

⁸Once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light—⁹for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. ¹⁰Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. ¹¹Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. ¹²For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; ¹³but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, ¹⁴for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
 “Sleeper, awake!
  Rise from the dead,
 and Christ will shine on you.”

Especially meaningful to me is verse 8 which reminds us that our identity is changed when we become followers of Christ. We are to be light, but not unmoving or static. We are to walk as children of the light. The word translated as walk, peripateo, is similar to what we mean when we say, “You can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk?” Our identity is meant to move us outward and have an impact on the way that we act.

Being children of the light isn’t always easy, especially when you are trying to keep the kids on track; work from home and be attentive to your own needs. Feeling like a part of the family of God isn’t easy when you’ve been stuck in your living quarters without visitors or the opportunity to spend time with the rest of the “family.” I don’t know about you, but I’ve become somewhat bored with myself, which doesn’t help me shine bright with the light of Christ.

So how can we refuel ourselves so that our lights are bright enough to be seen beyond the confines of our own homes? I think it goes back to that sense of being part of a larger family. We need to maintain and make new connections. We may not be able to gather in the sanctuary but the phones still work, the internet is still on and the postal service hasn’t dwindled away. Please reach out to someone today and let Christ’s light shine through you. Remind them that you are related as children of God. Be a sign of cheer and good hope. And as you shine for them, I am pretty certain that your “reserves” will be replenished rather than depleted.

Our World is So Confusing

Dear Children of God-

This morning I was blessed to receive an email from E with a prayer she read this morning. It is based on the first chapter of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians which says,

² I pray that God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you and will bless you with peace!  ³ Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for the spiritual blessings that Christ has brought us from heaven! ⁴ Before the world was created, God had Christ choose us to live with him and to be his holy and innocent and loving people. ⁵ God was kind and decided that Christ would choose us to be God’s own adopted children. ⁶ God was very kind to us because of the Son he dearly loves, and so we should praise God…

¹³ Christ… brought you the truth, which is the good news about how you can be saved. You put your faith in Christ and were given the promised Holy Spirit to show that you belong to God. ¹⁴ The Spirit also makes us sure that we will be given what God has stored up for his people. Then we will be set free, and God will be honored and praised. (Contemporary English Version) 

The prayer E sent came from a 2016 “Christ in Our Home,” and says, “Holy Spirit, our world is so confusing. Bless us with the clarity that is in Christ.”

Paul’s letters are filled with confident statements of faith. Again and again he tells us of the promises we have received through Jesus Christ. We need those reminders that we are God’s beloved children. That we have been blessed with the advocacy of the Holy Spirit. That we have a great future in store for us. We need those reminders because sometimes the troubles of life can distract us and we need the Holy Spirit to redirect our focus to all that God is doing. Truly I share in Paul’s prayer that our good God is blessing you with kindness and peace. And I pray that we can share those same blessings with others.

Being Church Isn't Dependent on Proximity

Dear Friends in Christ-

This morning as I sat down to write to you, I decided to look for Bible verses about community.  At the top of my Google search was Hebrews 10:24-25.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

I nearly did a spit-take onto my laptop! I want to encourage and be encouraged, but it’s in the midst of intentionally not meeting together. I considered looking for something more in tune with our times but decided to stick with what I had. The writer to the Hebrews was concerned that as people eagerly anticipated the second coming of Christ, (on the Day that is approaching,) they would stop meeting together as the church. The author wanted the readers to understand that as they waited, they could be up to something good. And they could continue to build a loving community that would support each of them as they strived to be faithful followers. 

God’s people have always known that we are stronger when we have a community to support us. We need each other for “mutual conversation and consolation” as Luther put it. So, when we can’t meet, we feel a loss and we may miss opportunities to share love and care.

Being church isn’t dependent on proximity. We can be community even when we aren’t able to meet together, but we will do it better if we share our ideas, our needs and our labor. 

God is with us!

Dear Beloved Community-

This morning when I looked out my kitchen window there were several robins on the lawn busily finding their breakfast. Instead of yesterday's cold rain, today has brought a change in temperature, that along with the robins, made me feel like Spring has truly sprung. That having been said, they are predicting snow for Monday.

As I washed my hands for the second time in twenty minutes, this refrain came to mind:

     Morning by morning new mercies I see;

     all I have needed thy hand hath provided;

     great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

I believe that God remains solid and consistent or as the hymn writer Thomas Chisholm wrote, "thou changest not, thy compassions they fail not; as thou hast been, thou forever wilt be."  Yet, we are living in a time when each day seems to bring dramatic changes in the status quo.

On March 20th it was reported that 100,000 people in Pennsylvania have applied for unemployment assistance in just one week. The pandemic has resulted in unemployment and underemployment for many in our community. Those who were already facing these challenges are experiencing heightened anxiety as community services are in high demand. Organizations like Pennridge FISH are doing their best, but they are having serious shortages.

So, what's the church to do? I think it's important that we remind each other again and again that God is with us. God's love is the constant we can always lean into. At the same time, God calls Christians to pay attention to the world around us and put that love into action.

Massah and Meribah + Keller's Daily 2020.03.19

Dear Church-

The Old Testament lesson that we didn’t get to hear on Sunday was from Exodus 17 which starts like this >>

The Israelites left the desert and moved from one place to another each time the Lord ordered them to. Once they camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for them to drink.

The people started complaining to Moses, “Give us some water!” Moses replied, “Why are you complaining to me and trying to put the Lord to the test?” But the people were thirsty and kept on complaining, “Moses, did you bring us out of Egypt just to let us and our families and our animals die of thirst?”

Then Moses prayed to the Lord, “What am I going to do with these people? They are about to stone me to death!”

<< Today was the first time I sided with the Israelites. In the past I have tended to see things through Moses’ eyes. He was so irked with the people when they complained that he named the place where they were, Massah which means “testing” and Meribah, which means “complaining.”

Well, what did Moses expect? It was great that they were free from Egypt, but they were also frightened. Sure, they were thirsty, but their cry against Moses and against God came as much out of fear as anything else. And I can’t say that I blame them. This was early on in their journey. It was less than two months since they’d escaped the Pharoah and they didn’t know what to expect. That’s scary.

Sometimes we face the unknown and our fear gets the best of us. And we wonder what God’s been up to. It’s human, really human. But here’s something the Israelites learned on their journey- God wasn’t ever going to abandon them. He gave them food and water. He was on their side and he was with them every step of the way- in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.

Right now we are facing our own uncertainties and it’s only human to be frightened on some level or another. There is so much at stake for individuals and communities around the world. We are in need of good news and so I found it providential that this story showed up.

When Moses complained to God, God didn’t get angry. God listened and then God told Moses how and where to get water, before promising, “I will be with you.”  God can handle our fears, our anger and our complaints. God can forgive our doubts and our uncertainties. And best news of all- God will be with us, every step of the way.

God's love has been poured into our hearts + Keller's Daily 2020.03.18

Dear Friends in Christ-

The New Testament reading for March 15^th was from Paul’s letter to the Romans.

Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. 

The circumstances of Paul’s letter writing may have differed greatly from our 21st century lives, but the truths within this chapter are timeless. Verses 3-5 assure us that God is present in our suffering. We are not alone in our struggles. We have been promised that the Holy Spirit is with us and that we are encircled by the love of God. It is in times like these, that the church is called to trust in God’s love and to boldly share it with others. Of course, that can be rather tricky if you are self-quarantined with only your most immediate family.  Tricky, but not impossible.

 

What might we do as individuals and as the people of Keller's Church to share the love that we know, at a time when folks are facing so many unknown challenges? For me, that’s been the question of the day for nearly a week. So here’s what I’ve been up to at Keller’s Parsonage.

• Sundays at 10:15 we will be live on Facebook with scripture, preaching and prayer. Currently the video for this past Sunday is only available on Facebook, but we’re working on it!
• Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1:00pm will be “Story Time” for the young and young at heart on Facebook Live. Today was “The Velveteen Rabbit.”
• First Communion Instruction is online at https://thinkingaboutcommunion.blogspot.com/
• Be in touch. Call people. Write notes. Text. Skype. We are the community of Christ even when we are at a distance.

Well, that’s it for today!  If you come up with a great idea, give me a call or drop me a line.
Blessings to you and yours!
Pastor Heidi

Back at it!

I haven't posted to this blog in three years. However, during this time of pandemic I have been writing a daily letter to the congregation that I serve, St. Matthew's Lutheran Church. For purposes of preservation and proclamation, I have decided to post them here as well.

A Woman's Water Prayer

Illustrator: Richard Andre   Source: Mary's Rosaries

In writing A Ritual Response to the Shame of Menopause, one of the pieces that was the most intriguing to develop was a water prayer that would reflect faith in Jesus as the primary actor as well as women's participation in significant water stories. It was tricky. There isn't much to choose from, but I knew there had to be enough for a water prayer.

I began with the Spirit moving over the water.  I had hope that I could find an image of Wisdom
incarnate, but I literally couldn't find the right words.  Miriam dancing and celebrating at the Red Sea was an easy piece as was the idea of "waters of birth" for Mary.   The two other female images were more difficult because we do not know their names.  The words needed to be descriptive enough to help worshipers recall the story but brief enough to not disturb the flow of the prayer.

We give you thanks, O God,

for in the beginning your Spirit moved over the waters

and by your Word you created the world,

calling forth life in which you took delight.

When you led Israel from slavery and through the waters of the Red Sea,

your prophet Miriam rejoiced in song and dance for the freedom that you gave to her people.

Through the waters of birth, your Son was born of Mary

to be Immanuel, God with us.

Throughout his life, Jesus made water to be a sign of new life.

He promised the Samaritan woman at the well,

a spring of living water that would well up within her to eternal life.

And when a woman soothed his tired feet with her tears,

Jesus honored her gift of love and proclaimed her faithfulness.

We praise you for the gift of water that sustains our lives in so many ways.

Above all we praise you for the gift of new life through our baptism in Jesus Christ.

Shower us with your Spirit, and renew our lives with your forgiveness, grace, and love.

Amen

Affirmation of Baptism as Croning Ritual

Due to the historical understanding of the word crone, not all women may be comfortable with this term, as it may suggest an image of an old, withered and haggard woman.  As this sense of the word is not intended by the ritual, many may prefer to frame the service differently or simply call it an Affirmation of Baptism.

preparation

Women who are participating in the Croning ritual may choose to prepare themselves through fasting and/or meditation prior to the service. This is certainly not mandatory but may add to their experience of the ritual particularly if it is followed by a festive meal.

The worship space should be prepared. Seating should be reserved to accommodate any or all the following:

•  Those making affirmation of their baptism
• Wise Women of the community who are honored guests
• Friends and family who will offer their memories as a part of the ritual
• Worship leaders which may include a presiding minister, liturgical director, lector and acolyte.

The altar or overall space may be decorated with memorable objects that symbolize important points in the participants’ lives. They may be organized by decade or around major life events. Planners are encouraged to create an atmosphere of abundance. Flowers, greenery, shells, seasonal fruits and vegetables, grains, nuts – all may be used to decorate the altar and worship area.

The font should have central place. If this is not possible, planners are encouraged to create a temporary font which can be seen by all during the ritual. Water is central to the celebration and remembrance of baptism. The sound and the feel of water should be remembered by those who participate. An ewer or pitcher should be filled and placed at the font.

GATHERING

Welcome

Since it is likely that members of the assembly will be unfamiliar with this type of ritual, it will be helpful for the presiding minister to offer a few brief comments of welcome and introduction. Issues of hospitality such as childcare, location of facilities and use of electronics may be included in the welcome or in a printed bulletin.

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

All may make the sign of the cross, a sign of Baptism and grace.    

  L   Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, who forgives all our sin, whose mercy endures forever.

  C   Amen

 The presiding minister may lead the gathering in this preparation prayer.

  L   God of all wisdom, you know us inside and out.  You knit us together in our mothers’ wombs long before we took our first breaths. You have seen our missteps and our successes and in all things, you have loved us. Cleanse our hearts, our minds and our spirits that we may love you more fully and serve you in all that we say and do.

  C   Amen

The following or another confession may be prayed.

  L   Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.

The assembly kneels or stands. Silence is kept for reflection.

  L   Gracious God,

  C   have mercy on us. We confess that we have turned from you and followed our own will. We have sinned against you, but we are truly sorry and humbly repent.  In your great kindness, forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things we have done and things we have left undone.  Turn us again to you, so that our lives might show the power of your grace.  Amen

The presiding minister announces God’s forgiveness with these or similar words.

  L   God, whose mercy is never-ending, loved us even when were dead in sin and made us alive in Christ. By grace you have been saved. In the name of ☩ Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven. May the power of the Holy Spirit strengthen you, that Christ might dwell in your heart and mind and soul.

  C   Amen

The assembly stands.

Gathering Song

Having a musician lead the assembly’s song is always preferred. However, if that is not possible, planners should choose music which will be familiar and identify someone who can lead the singing prior to the event.

Suggested Songs for use in the ritual.  ELW: Evangelical Lutheran Worship; WOV: With One Voice

All Are Welcome, ELW 641

Baptized in Water, ELW 456

Bind Us Together, WOV 758

Borning Cry, WOV ELW 742

For All the Faithful Women, WOV 692

For All the Faithful Women, ELW 419

God is Here, ELW 526

O Blessed Spring, WOV 447

Take Oh, Take Me As I Am, ELW 814

Waterlife, ELW 457

Baptismal Hymns, ELW 209–217, 442–459

  L   God be with you.

  C   And also with you.

The following prayer or another prayer for the day is used.

  L   Let us pray.

        God of the beginning and of the end, you are the source of holy wisdom, and the fountain of all truth. We give you thanks for the wise women among us, especially…  We have been enriched by their wisdom and seasoning. We are touched by their knowledge and faith. Bless them, O God, as they are a blessing to us. Pour out your Spirit, that all our elders may continue to dream dreams and bear witness to the light they know in Jesus Christ. And may each of us be inspired to lead lives of service and faithfulness. 

  C   Amen

  

ENCOUNTERING THE WORD

As this is a specifically Christian ritual, one or more readings from the Bible should be read. These readings may be chosen by those who are affirming their baptism.  They should be encouraged to select readings which particularly speak to their faith journey.  If a psalm is chosen, worship planners are encouraged to involve the gathered assembly through word, chant or song. Some suggested texts are:

Psalm 23   The Lord is my shepherd

Psalm 27 The Lord is my light and salvation

Psalm 46   God is our refuge and strength

Psalm 71 The Lord will revive me

Psalm 90 Our dwelling place in all generations

Psalm 121 I lift up my eyes to the hills

Proverbs 8  Wisdom’s call

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 For everything there is a season

Romans 5:1-5 Justification by faith gives peace

Romans 14:7-8   We do not live to ourselves

Philippians 3:12-16 Pressing on to the goal

The readings may be announced:

A reading from __________

The reading may be concluded:

Word of God, word of life.

The assembly responds:

Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The assembly is invited to stand for the proclamation of the Gospel.  The person giving the proclamation may choose to process to a place central in the assembly. An Alleluia or Lenten verse may be sung prior to the reading.

THE GOSPEL

Some suggested gospel readings include those listed, however worship planners are encouraged to work with those affirming their baptism to choose readings which are reflective of their faith and which create a cohesive gospel message for the day.

Matthew 6:25-34   Do not be anxious

Luke 12:6-7   The hairs of your head are all counted

John 3:16-21   For God so loved the world

John 14:1-3   I prepare a place for you

John 15:7-11   Abide in my love

The gospel is announced:

The Gospel according to _________

Glory to you, O Lord.

The gospel concludes:

The gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

HOMILY

A homily may be offered. The homily should be brief and can help to frame other readings and remembrances offered during the Croning ritual.

SONG OF THE DAY

Worship planners are encouraged to choose a song which speaks to the scriptural texts that have been chosen or to the affirmation of baptism. There is wisdom in making effective use of hymn concordances found online or in print.

SHARING OUR STORY

This section of the liturgy moves the focus more directly onto the persons affirming their baptism. It is a time to bear witness to the gifts of faith and wisdom that have been shared by individuals. Some possibilities for directing this portion of the ritual would be:

1.     Celebration of the Decades: Invite someone from each decade of the person’s life to give a brief reflection.  These should be limited in time, 1 to 3 minutes at most.  If this model is chosen, worship planners should keep the overall service length in mind.

2.     Her Story: Those women affirming their baptism reflect on what the ritual means to them.  How do they envision themselves within the role of wise woman?

3.     Voices of Wisdom: Worship planners may invite elders from the assembly to share readings.  Possible readings are found in Appendix 1.

SONG OR SPECIAL MUSIC

An assembly song or special music may be offered.  At this time those affirming their baptism should move to the area of the font.

AFFIRMATION OF BAPTISM

The presiding minister addresses the assembly.

Joined to Christ in the waters of baptism,

we are clothed with God's mercy and forgiveness.

Let us give thanks for the gift of baptism.

Water may be poured into the font as the presiding minister gives thanks.

We give you thanks, O God,

for in the beginning your Spirit moved over the waters

and by your Word you created the world,

calling forth life in which you took delight.

When you led Israel from slavery and through the waters of the Red Sea,

your prophet Miriam rejoiced in song and dance for the freedom that you gave to her people.

Through the waters of birth, your Son was born of Mary

to be Immanuel, God with us.

Throughout his life, Jesus made water to be a sign of new life.

He promised the Samaritan woman at the well,

a spring of living water that would well up within her to eternal life.

And when a woman soothed his tired feet with her tears,

Jesus honored her gift of love and proclaimed her faithfulness.

We praise you for the gift of water that sustains our lives in so many ways.

Above all we praise you for the gift of new life through our baptism in Jesus Christ.

Shower us with your Spirit, and renew our lives with your forgiveness, grace, and love.

Amen

Presentation

The leader addresses the assembly with these or similar words.

Dear friends, we give thanks for the gift of baptism and for these women, who are making public affirmation of their baptism.

Those making affirmation may be presented by a friend or family member with these or other words:

I present name/s who desire to make public affirmation of their baptism.

The presiding minister may continue with prayer.

Let us pray.

Merciful God, we thank you for these sisters,

whom you have made your own by water and the Word in baptism.

We have been graced by their wisdom and seasoning.

We are touched by their knowledge and faith.

Pour out your Spirit upon them, that they may continue to dream dreams

and live lives that speak of your grace and saving power.

Uphold them in the gifts and promises of baptism,

and unite the hearts of all whom you have brought to new birth.

We ask this in the name of Christ.

Amen

Profession of Faith

The presiding minister addresses those making public affirmation of baptism. The assembly may stand and join in the responses.

Do you believe in God the Father?

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried;

he descended to the dead.*

On the third day he rose again;

he ascended into heaven,

he is seated at the right hand of the Father,

and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting.

Affirmation

The presiding minister addresses those making public affirmation of baptism.

You have made public profession of your faith. Do you intend to continue in the covenant God made with you in holy baptism:

to live among God’s faithful people,

to hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s supper,

to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed,

to serve all people, following the example of Jesus,

and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth?

Each person responds:

I do, and I ask God to help and guide me.

The minister addresses the assembly.

Let us pray.

We give you thanks, O God, that through water and the Holy Spirit you give us new birth, cleanse us from sin, and raise us to eternal life.

The blessing may be repeated for each person. The minister may lay both hands on the head of the person and say:

Stir up in name the gift of your Holy Spirit: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord, the spirit of joy in your presence, both now and forever.

Amen.

OR

Father in heaven, for Jesus’ sake, stir up in name the gift of your Holy Spirit; confirm her faith, guide her life, empower her in her serving, give her patience in suffering, and bring her to everlasting life.

Amen.

Those making public affirmation stand and face the assembly. A representative of the congregation may address the assembly with these or other words.

Let us rejoice with these sisters in Christ.

We rejoice with you in the life of baptism.

Together we will give thanks and praise to God

and proclaim the good news to all the world.

Those who have affirmed their faith may be presented with a reminder of the ritual.  Some possibilities include:

·  Baptismal or water symbols such as shells, sea glass, candles or artwork.

·  Symbols of wisdom or initiation such as a staff, garland, crown of flowers, a cloak or shawl.

·  Shroud or kittel. A kittel is a traditional Jewish garment worn by a male at ceremonies marking life changes, at Passover, Yom Kippur finally at his burial.  Some Jewish croning ceremonies include the presentation of a kittel. The idea is similar to the notion of the Christian funeral pall reflecting the baptismal garment.

                                                                                                                    

CLOSING SONG

BLESSING AND SENDING

May the God of all graciousness guide you day by day, giving you what is needed. 

May you always travel with the one who is  +  the way, the truth, and the life.  

May the Spirit give you good companions to cheer your way

and a clear vision of that which God is calling you to do.

Amen

Portions of  this service are from the Evangelical Lutheran Book of Worship. Augsburg Fortress.
The Water Prayer was written by Heidi Rodrick-Schnaath.