Rite 13

Yesterday a new liturgical celebration came to
St. John's in the form of "Rite 13", a ceremony marking the passage to adulthood of teenagers in the J2A (Journey to Adulthood) program. As the Worship Wizard wrote in the morning's service bulletin, the teenagers are welcomed "to the journey of becoming adults." In part, this service arose from a decision by the Episcopal Church to encourage delaying confirmation beyond the early teens, making it more of an adult choice.

The photographs below were taken during the service. Most of them look a little better if you click on them to enlarge them. Return to the blog by clicking on the back arrow.

What would a 10:30 service be without a Procession? For this service, nearly half the congregation (teenagers, parents, sponsors, acolytes, and choir) were in the Procession. Mason led off with the Processional Cross:

As you can see, if Mason raised the cross much higher, he'd take out the chandelier. Unfortunately, the photographer was changing positions when the celebrants and their parents processed (good planning, that, eh?) but managed to catch the choir:


We heard a reading from 2 Samuel:


And from the first chapter of Revelation:


The Gospel reading was from John – the part where Pilate asks Jesus: "So, you are a king?" (Thus the liturgical designation of the day as Christ the King.) After the Gospel reading, Emma M. and Madeleine collaborated on a remarkable sermon:


The congregation was led in the Prayers of the People, much of it written by the day's Intercessor:


Then began "Rite 13" itself. The teenagers came forward with their parents and sponsors. Each of the sponsors, in turn, announced: "I present [Marlon, Mason, Elena, Nora, Emma, Zoe, Jackson, Emma, Claire, Ben, or Madeleine], who this day moves from childhood to adulthood."


Kara addressed the eleven young people standing before us:

By the grace of God you have lived through the pains and joys of childhood, and have grown strong. Now, as men and women, it is given to you to share God's power of creation. Human beings, because they are made in God's image, are the only creatures on earth who can choose how to use their creative power – not only to create new life, but also to shape the world according to God's purpose. God calls us to use this gift to build and not to destroy.

"Are you aware of God's gift to you," she asked them, "and the responsibility to use it wisely?"

To which they answered, "I am."

There was then a prayer for the parents, who knelt while their sons and daughters laid hands on them:

O God, bless the parents of these young people. Rejoice with them as their sons and daughters become men and women. Strengthen them that they may support their sons and daughters as they begin the journey to adulthood.

Uphold them by your Spirit, that they may comfort them although they can neither walk their road for them nor shield them from pain. Carry them all safely through this journey, so that one day they may stand together as adults and friends, a joy and a comfort to each other all the days of their lives. Amen.

After which it was the young people's turn to kneel while their parents placed hands on their shoulders.


Kara and Julianne came to each of them and prayed:

[Marlon, Mason, Elena, Nora, Emma, Zoe, Jackson, Emma, Claire, Ben, or Madeleine], may Almighty God fill you with courage, wisdom, and joy. May Jesus Christ, your strong companion and never-failing friend, make you strong in faith and defend you on every side...

...And may the blessing of God Almighty, Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer, rest upon you this day and for evermore. Amen.

After which we passed the peace, and through dewy eyes the proud parish did not seem very worried about H1N1.

For the Eucharist, the congregation's eleven honored members joined Kara and Julianne around the altar. For most it was not an unusual position, as they had served or continue to serve as acolytes.




Finally, Communion.


The energy, earnestness, and character of these young people play a big part in making St. John's the kind of place it is.

Congratulations to all of you.