Advent

Happy New Year! The first Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of the Church Year. Advent (from the Latin adventus, meaning arrival or coming) is the four weeks before Christmas; Christians have observed it for centuries as a time of waiting and preparation. We remember how God’s people waited for Jesus’ first coming, as we now wait expectantly for our King to come again. At church this season, the readings, music, and even the royal blue of the pastors’ stoles all point to our King’s first and second advent—the Good News of Immanuel, God with us.

Vestments (Part 3): Why do you wear robes?

In our services in the Sanctuary, the ministers wear what many people call “robes.” Actually, they are wearing the two garments traditionally worn by Anglican clergy. The cassock is a simple black floor-length garment. It was everyday street-wear at the time of the English Reformation (this is where we trace our theological roots). The white surplice (pronounced like "surplus") is worn over it. Together, they have come to symbolize our salvation in Christ: our dark, sin-stained souls are washed, and covered with the pure righteousness of Christ.

Vestments (Part 2): The Stole

This is the second installment of a series on vestments. The stole is the minister’s long scarf-like garment worn around the neck (the colors reflect the season of the church year). It originated as a kind of napkin the priest would use in communion. It now serves practical and symbolic functions. First, it helps the congregation to identify the clergy. (Only clergy wear stoles; priests allow it to hang down as shown, while deacons wear it diagonally across the chest). Second, it represents service under the yoke of Christ. Finally, it symbolizes the towel Jesus used when he washed the disciples’ feet (John 13) and reminds clergy of their role as servants.

Vestments (Part 1): What and Why

In our tradition, clergy sometimes wear special clothing, called vestments, during services. These have been worn in the church for centuries and are a visual reminder of our deep historical roots (they point to the specific historic eras when God worked in human history to create his church). In future posts, we’ll start explaining what each garment means. But for now, why wear any vestments at all? First, like any uniform, vestments indicate a role or function. It helps the congregation figure out who’s who. Second, and more importantly, it diminishes the focus on the minister (and other participants in the service, from choir members to readers to those helping with Communion). Clothing can be a way we assert the self, and pastors are tempted to do this too. We've all likely been to church services where the clothing of someone "up front" proved to be a big distraction (whether extremely dated or extremely hip). In our worship services, however, our focus is Christ, not the appearance or taste in clothing of the pastor, worship leader, or anyone else. Vestments can be a way to keep things simple, and keeping the focus not on the people leading, but on our Lord.