Lift High the Cross:
St. Stephen Goes to Washington, DC
By Dirk Maney
Processional crosses, torches, colorful banners, jubilation streamers, great hymns of the Church, and hundreds of people of all ages, races, and ethnic groups processing in their acolyte vestments. This was the scene on Saturday, October 6, 2012 at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC as acolytes from across the country converged on our nation’s capital to participate in the annual Acolyte Festival. And although St. Stephen acolytes had previously attended the festival, this was the first year that they participated in the procession and worship service carrying our acolyte implements – the St. Stephen Ethiopian processional cross, torches, and jubilation streamers.
The Acolyte Festival allows acolytes to come together to celebrate the special role they play in supporting worship, and to rededicate themselves to service to both their parish churches and to God. While the majority of the acolytes come from Episcopal and Anglican traditions, other denominations, including the United Methodist Church, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, Roman Catholic Church, and of course, our own Presbyterian Church U.S.A., are also represented.
The highlight of the festival is a worship service and communion service that begins with a grand procession of acolytes that came from as far away as Whiterocks, Utah. The festival continues to grow in popularity, and it takes seven – yes, seven – processional hymns (plus an anthem) to complete the processional through the nave of the National Cathedral.
In order to participate in the procession we had to overcome a few challenges. Our acolyte implements, including our processional crosses and torches, are used each Sunday morning during the 11:00 AM worship service and we had to work through the challenge of shipping these delicate items to Washington, DC. St. Stephen is fortunate to have three processional crosses, including the beautiful Ethiopian Cross that was donated by our own St. Stephen member, Mr. Bill Curtis, which was used in the procession in Washington, DC. We were also blessed to have another St. Stephen member donate a new pair of CM Almy processional torches that were used for the very first time at the festival. (CM Almy is the company that created our recently dedicated paraments used at our 8:30 AM worship services.)
A link to the entire Acolyte Festival worship service can be found at the Washington National Cathedral web site at http://www.nationalcathedral.org/events/acolyte2012.shtml. Click on the link “Watch Service video” at the top of the page. The St. Stephen acolytes appear in the video at approximately 6 minutes and 30 seconds (6:30) into the video (look for the Ethiopian Cross).
In addition to the festival, we took time to enjoy other sights and experiences in Washington, DC. Theodore Roosevelt Island (just a short walk from our hotel in Arlington, VA) was a beautiful place to relax, hike the trails, and toss a football. On Sunday, we experienced the wonderful museums of the Smithsonian, including the Air and Space Museum, Natural History Museum, and American History Museum. A trip to the National Archives provided an up close look at the U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence. The highlight on Sunday is our annual guided bicycle ride through the streets of Washington, DC experiencing the beautiful monuments and sights at night. Not even the cool, drizzly night in Washington could take away from this wonderful experience.
As our trip came to an end on Monday, we visited Arlington National Cemetery. Our acolytes were able to experience the somber Changing of the Guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers, and also witness the eternal flame at the gravesite of President John F. Kennedy. The trip to Arlington National Cemetery was an appropriate way to conclude a weekend that centered on service to others.
St. Stephen had five of our acolytes participate in the festival, including Gabe Ngeny (crucifer), Aidan Berg (torch bearer), John Bollman (torch bearer), Mason Fergus (jubilation streamer), and Craig Burton (jubilation streamer). Five sponsors also attended the festival, including Beth Fultz, Lars Berg, Chuck Hoffman, Dirk Maney, and Arlene Small (a good friend of St. Stephen and our summertime guest organist/choirmaster).
Special thanks to other contributors for the success of the trip, including Cathy Corder, John and Julie Bollman, Susie Fergus, Beth Fultz, Lars Berg, John Davis, and all others that kept us in their thoughts and prayers.
This was my third year to have the honor and privilege of attending the festival with our acolytes. I was reminded again of the exceptional young people in our church, and I give thanks to their parents, family members, teachers, church staff, and countless others that influence them on a regular basis. I’ve already marked my calendar for next year’s Acolyte Festival. Thanks be to God.