Taking a short break from church before Holy Week.

[pinto]

8. Your counterpart here locally must have been the one who "directed" me at an Episcopal service.

I was invited to speak at a service during the week that the AIDS quilt was here in town. This church was instrumental in helping make it happen.

When I got to the church they told me I would enter with the processional, following the clergy, et al as a guest. I froze for a second. Then figured I would simply follow the lead and take a place on the bench beside the altar 'till I was asked to get up to say my few words. (I was picturing a Catholic church set up.)

But when we got to the altar, there was no bench! Someone realized I was obviously lost and discretely indicated where I should stand while the service proceeded. It was probably the MC or a sub-deacon I guess.

In any event I made some brief comments and all went of well. Had no clue whether this was common in Episcopalian services. (Lay persons are rarely, if ever, on the altar during Catholic masses.)

I was humbled, excited, somewhat surprised by the invite and really enjoyed being a part of the service. And grateful for some on site direction...