I had the honor and pleasure of participating with several other clergy and residents of a local nursing home in the re-dedication of their chapel following several months of renovations.
We all showed up representing our various denominations. The Lutherans wore albs and green stoles (symbolic of growth and faith and the color of the "time after Pentecost"). The United Methodists wore albs and red stoles (symbolic of the gift of the Holy Spirit, the color worn at ordinations). A United Brethren minister wore a black academic gown with a white stole. Two other clergy did not wear robes. I counted at least four denominations present. We were quite the motley crew. Did I mentioned that the order of service was from the Anglican Book of Common Prayer?
As we rededicated the chapel, I thought of the first verse of Psalm 133: How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity! I think the verb in the Hebrew for dwell is in the infinitive, more like: How very good and pleasant when brothers and sisters are living together in unity. This dwelling is present and ongoing and--in this case--an honor to be a part of.
If it is in the liturgy that heaven kisses earth, then what wonder of wonders happened this morning.
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