Foot-washing

Maundy Thursday is coming, and with it the annual (or semi-annual) washing of the feet. Of all the things today’s modern Mennonites do, this may be the one that freaks newcomers (and even some oldcomers) out the most. “You want me to do what?”

Foot-washing is completely biblical and since Jesus did it, Mennonites like to do it, too. But it’s weird. It involves feet. It involves other people’s feet.

And there isn’t really any actual washing in foot-washing. Just some scooping of water over feet that have been cleaned and prepped in advance. Sometimes women wear knee high stockings and leave them on, so there’s no touching of actual skin. (This is old school).

The last part of foot-washing is the hug. This can be awkward, but it’s important to watch out for. You don’t want someone coming at you for hugging when you’re not expecting it.

Oh, and mixed genders? No. Unless you go to small house church, then maybe you’ll be washing the feet of someone of the opposite sex. But in most churches, women are with women (possibly in the basement) and men are with men. The men are faster.

Foot-washing, like most Mennonite things, is very optional. You don’t have to do it. And some churches have abandoned the practice all together, because it’s weird (post on this to follow).

But if you can get past the weirdness and appreciate the symbolism, it’s pretty sweet.

Sharing time

Mennonites love the idea of community. And what better way to build community than giving everyone access to a microphone and letting them talk?

Sometime during a Mennonite church service, the pastor or worship leader will open the floor for the sharing of “prayer requests and praise reports" or "joys and concerns." And anyone who wants to can raise their hand, get a mike, and start sharing. Details about illnesses, pregnancies, engagements, travels, spiritual battles, your schedule from the previous week . . . it’s all fair game.

This can lead to some awkward moments. Do we really need to know about your sister-in-law’s friend’s ruptured uterus? But sharing time can also lead to some really genuine community support.

Another part of sharing time is introducing visitors. Boy, do people love to do this. Especially older people. Getting a whole pew full of your friends and family, making them stand up, naming them all for the rest of the church? Definitely a good time.

Sharing time is a mixed blessing. Every Mennonite church attendee could probably give you awkward examples of people who overshared and of the crazy characters who hog the microphone every week. But community is also a mixed blessing. You take the good and the bad and learn to deal.