I hope he doesn’t burn the church down
Posted by: LizzieDuring Sunday morning warm-up, the adults in the choir were asked if there was anyone willing to serve as acolyte in the next few weeks. There’s a shortage of acolyte-aged youth in our church, so the same kids (and grown-ups) rotate their services Sunday after Sunday. I asked how old one’s child needs to be to serve and it turns out Corey is just the right age. Corey nearly came out of his skin when I approached him about learning to be an acolyte.
“Hey Corey, how would you like to learn how to be an acolyte?”
“What’s an acolyte?”
“It’s when you carry the thing down the aisle at the beginning of church and light all the candles.”
“YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!”
At this point, Corey was literally jumping up and down. I had to calm him and tell him it wouldn’t be right then, cause he was about ready to run and get his cassock from the robe room. Training would be Wednesday, I said, but I wanted to ask so I could let the person in charge know he wanted to do it.
For the record, I was not raised Methodist, so I honestly have no idea what goes into being an acolyte. I am pretty sure Corey will be the one to teach me how to do it when I “practice” with him over the weekend. I know you have to bow before the cross and light the candles in the correct order, but what those candles mean, I don’t know.
It’s a big responsibility, though, carrying a lit candle on a brass pole down the middle of a church. I can hardly trust Corey not to knock over his drink at dinner every night, so I can’t even imagine how nervous I’m going to be for him. Let’s just hope he doesn’t set anything other than the candles on fire. I’d hate to have to spend Valentine’s Day with a bunch of firefighters.
Or would I?
February 11th, 2010 at 3:23 pm
You know what if funny is that this story triggered a memory. I remembered when I was first asked to do this and I got very excited too. I had always watched my older brother and friends take on this responsibility. I was turned down for being to young. The day I was asked made me extatic too. I felt grown up. Thanks for bringing back some warm memories. He will do great its his big moment:)
February 11th, 2010 at 9:05 pm
You’re welcome! I hope that his is a memory to cherish.
February 12th, 2010 at 1:06 pm
I was an acolyte and I ended up even though I was to short to carry the big cross I was one of the better ones and had to do it more often than others because I was always there and early, Corey will do great and it just shows that he is growing up.