An newly ordained Episcopal priest offers his first Sunday, Rite I, service and communes the President of the United States. From Scribere Orare Est: How the President of the United States Showed Up for my First Sunday Mass
Today I celebrated my first Sunday mass.
My first mass ever was celebrated this past Wednesday at 7:15 AM. Bethany got up extra early to be there, as did the rector and a handful of others. It was deeply meaningful.
But today was my first Sunday mass. And, to make it even better, it was at the 8:00 AM, Rite I liturgy, a liturgy that has been a deeply meaningful part of my own spiritual journey. Our senior warden is a regular at the service and when I saw him yesterday he gave me some good advice. —First,— he said, —Wait a couple seconds after the end of the prelude before you begin. Second, take your time. Don’t rush. Let the service be as it should.— I heard, marked, and inwardly digested his advice, pondering them in my heart as I got ready this morning. I was a little nervous, but primarily excited.
As I was putting on my cassock in my office, I heard another priest come in from outside. I poked my head out the door. —Good Morning!— I called out to our Associate for Worship and Pastoral Care.
She smiled, —Good morning. How do you feel?—
—A little nervous,— I admitted.
—Well, have you heard the news?— she asked.
I was a little confused. I thought for a moment, wondering what the news could be, and then said, —No, I don’t think I have.—
She smiled broadly, —The President of the United States is going to be in the congregation.—
I sputtered, —The President, like George W. Bush??—
She smiled, —Yep…—
Thanks for the link. Just so you know, you actually linked to my biography rather than the post your citing. The post about communing the President can be found here: http://www.jaredcramer.com/?p=1019
Grace,
Jared+
Fr. Jared,
Thank you and for the correction. Must have been the snow blindness up here in Albany…