theBythams
the
church : rectors letter : october 2003  (Added
2/10/03) Reproduced from Glenside News : October 2003 "Dear Friends I was asked the other day, by a member of one of our PCC's., if we could exchange the Peace during services of Holy Communion. In many churches today this does of course happen when the priest gives the Peace, the people shake hands with those around them, the priest wanders around the church doing the same. Greetings like 'Peace be with you' are exchanged. Personally I have no problem with this, although from a practical point of view in small rural congregations no one is within reach! To my mind the important thing is that people feel comfortable with what happens during worship so that the primary aim of being in church isn't lost. To find the origin of this practice you have to go back a long way, it is intended to be the modern equivalent of the ancient Christian custom of exchanging the kiss of peace. This was probably thought to be a step too far, and certainly not something the English would feel comfortable with, so the more acceptable handshake was substituted. But just to be mischievous for a moment I do wonder if those who have adopted this custom really know the meaning of the hand shake. It is not by origin a symbol of peace , although it has certainly become that, it is a relic of our violent past. As far as I can make out the practice of shaking hands began in the days when it behoved a gentleman to walk with his hand on the hilt of his sword in order to defend himself, or his loved ones, at all times. However, when he met someone towards whom he felt no mistrust he would hold out his hands, palms facing upwards, to show he had no weapon and to imply the person he met didn't need one either. Regrettably, trusting only went so far and eventually, to ensure neither man could suddenly draw his sword , the habit of clasping hands developed. Initially this was all four hands but, as most people used a sword in their right hand it became just two. Thus I am informed the hand shake came into being. Now this piece of historical nonsense has no bearing whatsoever on what I was talking about and, having talked about Harvest last month I might be accused with some justification of being at a los as to how to fill my page. Certainly no one wears swords these days, I'm sure it's against the law except on ceremonial occasions, and I haven't seen anyone wearing one to church since I left the army twenty years ago. However I do recall vividly an experience from my Service days that has always made me slightly nervous when visiting a church where the exchanging of the Peace takes place. Like the sword business it's a bit daft but I still have a third of a page to fill! I was in north America on a military exercise with one of the Royal Anglian Regiments, we were in Washington State, just south of the Rocky Mountains, where we were the guests of the US Rangers. On Palm Sunday I was invited to remove my uniform, put on ceremonial robes, and preach in the garrison church. The Americans love a parade and so we assembled half a mile from the church and processed, led by the choir, to the church. It was during the service that my host turned to me and said, "We exchange the peace in this church, try and forget you are a reserved English man". Eventually the moment of truth arrived and the priest duly said to the congregation "The Peace of the Lord be always with you", and said to me, "Come on, we go down and join them". This we duly did while everyone in that packed church streamed out of the pews and went around hugging each other. I was stood just below the chancel step, feeling and no doubt looking rather bemused, when this very large black lady marched up to me, threw her arms around me and proceeded to lift me off the floor. She then bounced me up and down on her very ample bosom while exclaiming "Peace be with you baby". When finally released I recall not so much a feeling of peace but seasickness! " The Rev Bryan Bennett Castle Bytham Rectory 01780 410166 |
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