Did you know?

Did you know that pews are a fairly recent addition to a church sanctuary or nave? And what is the church narthex and where is it found? What's the difference between a pulpit, lecturn, or ambo? Ambo? What on earth is an ambo? Where is the chancel?

From the top:

Originally, Christians stood for worship and in eastern churches, they still do. Placing the long, backed bench in the sanctuary (or nave) was an innovation of western medieval Christianity and Protestants borrowed the idea from the Roman Catholic Church.

In today's usage, both sanctuary and nave are terms for the area where the congregation is seated. The chancel is the area in front of the church, usually up three steps from the nave, where the pulpit, lecturn, altar and often the choir are located.

The narthex is the entryway or foyer of the church.

Some churches have two speakers stands in the front. One, usually on the left, is the pulpit where the minister stands to deliver the sermon and (historically) read the gospel lesson. The second, on the right, is called the lecturn. It is used by lay people to read the scripture lessons (but not the gospel), make announcements, or lead prayers. If there is only one speaker's stand and it is placed in the center, in front of the altar, it is called the ambo.

Strange but true:

The wall of the church behind the altar is always called the east wall, no matter which direction it is actually in. Grace Church's "east wall" is actually in the south! In the past, all churches faced east.

Every Church, Every Methodist

An important word in the United Methodist vocabulary is "connection".   We work and worship in connection with other United Methodists in surrounding communities and the region.

Our bishop, Grant Hagiya of Seattle has called all churches in our Pacific Northwest Conference to join together in a major initiative of mission outreach.  This mission is not to some far away place, it is to our brothers and sisters in the communities where we live.  The Pacific Northwest is one of the most un-churched regions of our country.  The problem is not that people are un-churched, the concern is that people have not had an opportunity to hear the message of Christ and respond in a life changing way.

We begin this initiative today, with a devotional Bible study program, continue with a special meeting of our Conference in March,  and live into plan in the coming years.  It is a really big deal for our United Methodist connection.  This Bible study, called Every Church, Every Methodist will grow us in our understanding of our missional call.  Please join together in the coming days as we prepare to do something big and new.

Some Things are Forever

Reading local newspapers from a century ago gives insights into the everyday life of our grandparents. The ads sell food and clothes and cars and remedies. The news tells of war in Europe and on the Mexican border. The entertainment is a mixture of home parties, lodge meetings, vaudeville and silent movies, with chautauquas, revivals and patriotic gatherings thrown in.

One thing that hasn't changed is the presence of Walla Walla's churches. Many Christian denominations were serving the Valley 100 years ago in the same location as they are today. Grace Methodist Episcopal church, now Grace United Methodist church, is among them. The hymns, special services and messages of faith printed in the newspapers of 95 years ago forge a link between our ancestors and us.

We find continuity and comfort in knowing that, even as our world changes, our church is still here and just like Christ's promise of redemption, remains steadfast.

 Thanks to newspaperarchive.com for the December 28, 1948 Walla Walla Union Bulletin.

Pass the Salt!

Jesus told his disciples that they were salty. Well, maybe he didn't use those exact words; what you'll find in the Bible is this: "You are the salt of the earth." Think of it! People who follow Jesus are seasoning the world with Jesus and everything he taught and demonstrated including peace, hope, love, justice, kindness, honesty and joy. Just a quick glance at the newspaper shows us how badly our world needs some of the seasoning Jesus' followers can offer. So pass the salt, sprinkle some hope, spread some joy, flavor someone you meet with kindness. Be salty today!