Don't Shout, be part of the group!

I have just returned from an Ordination Service in the Diocese of Philadelphia; I'll refrain from making some rather adverse comments on relatively little things that occurred during the service. yes I will! Though it makes me realize what practices, rituals take place at The Church of the Holy Trinity which make little sense and may even be counterproductive - and I need someone with fresh eyes to tell me. But this principle applies in so many aspects of life.

But anyway, as is my wont, I digress.

I was disappointed that some of my clergy colleagues seemed to forget they were not leading the worship but rather being a participant with other participants.

Years ago, almost fifty years ago, I learned from a choirmaster that if I could not hear the person next to me I was probably singing too loudly - unless it really was a s solo and I was not asked to sing many of those!

Of course the praying or the singing didn't quite match the energy and noise of Al Pacino but it was happening.

Perhaps the recent story of a Latin American cell 'phone call interrupting Mahler has a similar theme - we forget, we forget, we forget our participation in the group, membership in the community and so outlandish things just tend to happen. Though, actually, I've never really understood Mahler so for me it might have been almost a divine moment of relief.