Ship of Fools: Washing feet (and hands?)

Thread: Washing feet (and hands?) Board: Oblivion / Ship of Fools.

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Posted by Hairy Biker (# 12086) on :

When you wash the feet of your congregation/have your feet washed/witness others having their feet washed:
1. Do the priest's hands actually touch the people's feet, or is it just a splash of water and a towel? I've seen both approaches, and far prefer my feet to be splashed and not actually touched.

2. If people are "uncomfortable" with having their feet washed (Justin Welby has said he always was), is it a reasonable option to wash a hand instead? I'd never heard of this before last night. Several people accepted it, and I thought it set a dangerous precedent. In a few years we'll have no feet offered. I also thought the symbolism was all wrong, especially after we'd just heard about Peter wanting Jesus to wash his hands, and Jesus refused.

[edit for punctuation]

[ 29. March 2013, 07:04: Message edited by: Hairy Biker ]

Posted by The Silent Acolyte (# 1158) on :

Ayyiah! Washing of the Hands!

No.

Don't do it.

Whose hands get washed during those miserable hours between the Arrest and the Crucifixion?

Posted by FooloftheShip (# 15579) on :

To my mind, the choice is binary: do it - have your feet washed, and indeed wash other people's feet (if you're a naturally hyper-fastidious cleric) and quit your shuddering. Or don't. One or the other.

My mind is now heading off in the direction of other random body parts which might be proffered for washing. I do wish it wouldn't, especially on Good Friday.

Posted by Oscar the Grouch (# 1916) on :

quote:
Originally posted by FooloftheShip:
To my mind, the choice is binary: do it - have your feet washed, and indeed wash other people's feet (if you're a naturally hyper-fastidious cleric) and quit your shuddering. Or don't. One or the other.

Yup!

Do it properly or don't do it at all. Of course it may feel a bit yukky. That's the whole point! Jesus wasn't washing sweet smelling, perfectly pedicured tootsies. The lowest slave washed the feet because they were the bits most likely to be covered in dust/crap. And I'm betting Peter and the others had a few calluses as well.

When I came to this post, I was told very firmly that "we don't do foot washing here". Fair enough - I've respected that. It's not a big deal for me. I've done it before and seen how powerful it can be as a symbolic action. But if it freaks people out, it is hardly helpful to inflict this on them.

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :

quote:
Originally posted by The Silent Acolyte:
Ayyiah! Washing of the Hands!

No.

Don't do it.

Whose hands get washed during those miserable hours between the Arrest and the Crucifixion?

In the Gospel, only Pilate's.

However, we do wash hands. 4 stations, and washing the hands of the next in line. The person washing says "As you have been served, go forth and serve" with the response "I shall serve". The one whose hands have been washed in turn washes the hands of the next person, and so forth. It means that each person is washed and washed, something unlikely with even a moderately sized congregation if you wash feet.

As an aside, I had a different insight during this year's sermon. When a guest arrived at a house, the host would call for a slave to wash the feet of the guest as part of the welcome; by washing our feet, Christ welcomes us to his own house. We're still working out how this welcome relates to Baptism, but it is a good subject for meditation.

[ 29. March 2013, 10:13: Message edited by: Gee D ]

Posted by Anglican_Brat (# 12349) on :

I don't agree with this argument but...

the argument for hand washing has to do with the different cultural sensibilities between the 21st century and the 1st century. Those advocating for hand washing say that foot washing makes little sense in our context when most people wear socks and shoes outside and feet are reasonably clean. Hands on the other hand, are usually bare except in the winter when people wear gloves. Given that we are told that we contact germs every time we touch something with our hands, the hands are more "icky" to us, than the feet.

Posted by Abigail (# 1672) on :

I’ve only witnessed this once (about six years ago at my church – it hasn’t been done since). The two clergy washed the feet of about five or six members of the congregation. I gather some of them had agreed to have their feet washed beforehand and another couple responded to an invitation to go forward.

In answer to the OP: it certainly wasn’t just a splash of water, the feet were washed properly with soap and lots of water and then dried carefully. It seemed to go on for ages and I found the whole thing very difficult to watch. I think about it every year and I still find it hard to work out what I feel about it.

Posted by Emendator Liturgia (# 17245) on :

There is the ancient Jewish blessing which is said at the Passover which gives credence to the washing of hands (which is what, out of necessity, we do at our Maundy Thursday evening service, for a number of reasons - including the fact that one priest cannot kneel at all) and which has resulted in people washing each others hands as a sign of service, of humility and of community:

Baruch ata Adonoy,
Eloheinu melech ha-olam,
asher kideshanu be-mitzvosav
ve-tzivanu al netilas yadayim.

Blessed are you God, King of the Universe,
who made us holy with His commandments
and commanded us in the washing of the hands.

Posted by Hairy Biker (# 12086) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Abigail:

In answer to the OP: it certainly wasn’t just a splash of water, the feet were washed properly with soap and lots of water and then dried carefully. It seemed to go on for ages and I found the whole thing very difficult to watch. I think about it every year and I still find it hard to work out what I feel about it.

I've never seen soap used. It would be preferable to the splash of water, rub it in and then take the same hands to rub the next foot in line, I would have thought. But I can see this would take quite a time for 12 of them.

Posted by UCCLynn (# 16633) on :

This is my 3rd Lent/Holy Week/Easter at my first call. It is an old (for US) Congregational church. Foot-washing has never been done here or at many like it.

Growing up in one of the very conservative Lutheran traditions, footwashing was never done either. Perhaps this was out of "not being Catholic." It wasn't done in the ELCA Lutheran congregation of my adulthood. Nor has it been done in any of the UCC congregations that I have either been a member of or served at during seminary. This makes me think, in the US at least, that historically the practice is one that the RC and perhaps the Episcopalians observed.

More recently, I know of many Methodist churches that are introducing the practice, perhaps though first with handwashing.

Last night, after the John reading, we washed each others hands, with the point being made clear that we are engaging in an act of service to each other, which is the heart (IMHO) of Jesus' direction.

People said it was very moving. I found it touching when one partner who had an affair washed the hand of her partner and when my older son (who regularly beats on his little brother) washed my younger son's hands. As for me, I found it humbling to go around and wash several people's hands, including my pianist and a man in the congo who can be quite difficult. It felt like a shift there.

It may not be what is written in John 13 but handwashing can be powerful and convey the message. At least, that was the experience in my context.

Peace.

Posted by Galilit (# 16470) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Emendator Liturgia:
There is the ancient Jewish blessing which is said at the Passover

Baruch ata Adonoy,
Eloheinu melech ha-olam,
asher kideshanu be-mitzvosav
ve-tzivanu al netilas yadayim.

Blessed are you God, King of the Universe,
who made us holy with His commandments
and commanded us in the washing of the hands.

This is said any time Jewish people eat bread as well. There is a special cup/wee jug for it even in restaurants, street food stalls.

Posted by Galilit (# 16470) on :

There are 2 things that squick me out .
Her with her blimmin' alabaster jar and foot-washing.
I simply do not attend those services - if I did I'd just sit there getting more and more physically and mentally tense. Even if it's only mentioned in the sermon.
Always felt uncomfortable with them even as a child and not in that good way where one can transform one's life/theology after confronting the story and then really seeing The Point.
So I make formal apologies for my absence beforehand.

Posted by Spiffy (# 5267) on :

I think Jesus kind of answered the hand thing after Peter was all, "Then not only my feet, Lord, but my hands and my head!"

Last night at my place we scrubbie scrubbie scrubbied all the feeties with nice warm water and both hands and made sure they were clean and patted well dry. The priest doesn't do all the washing, we each take turns being washed and then doing the washing. It took us about half an hour to get through everyone who wanted to participate through the process.

Mind you, though, this is the first church I've ever been in where people were literally lining up. Previous churches the pastor would have to all but guilt trip folks into being the one person getting their feet washed. And I never participated until I joined up with this crew.

Another anecdote from yesterday, one of my atheist acquaintances demanded to know if I was going to be doing the foot-washing thing. I said, "Yes". And then she proceeded to go on and on about how it was gross and she would NEVER let someone else touch HER feet and how could I DARE do such a thing that was so HORRIFYINGLY ICKY?

Ten minutes later she went on a social media network and called for people to come with her next week for pedicures. Because letting a Vietnamese woman* scrub at your feet for twenty bucks is apparently totally different than someone who might be your equal.

*In the US, a disproportionate number of nail technicians are Vietnamese immigrants.

Posted by Mama Thomas (# 10170) on :

30 years ago an old lady was at a Maundy Thursday service. She was wearing those varicose vein hose and had great trouble putting them on and taking them off. So, I washed her hands. Same with diabetics who are frightened of cutting their feet, and who are often plump and have difficulty donning and doffing their shoes.

It just depends who, what, when and where.

In Melanesia, the norm was to make a drama out of the foot washing, 12 men lined up, one being Peter etc.

I always used real foot washing with soap and towels and a scrub brushes. The feet were always dirty, especially right after a bath-because you're walking in dirt that becomes muddy when you drip. The elders of the village would strip to the waste and really wash people's feet.

That just won't fly in flyover country, especially where it is seen as newfangled and most of the congregation seems to have some difficulty dressing.

I don't see why hand washing should be eschewed. Does the Queen of England give Maundy money in lieu of foot washing? One of the commandments given last night is to love one is covered in hand washing for those who cannot easily remove and replace their footwear.

Posted by Spiffy (# 5267) on :

I'd argue there's a difference between washing a hand for people who have medical or physical issues, and washing a hand because you're too squicked by the idea of letting someone at or equal to your perceived class status into your physical space to wash your feet.

Posted by Mama Thomas (# 10170) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Spiffy:
I think Jesus kind of answered the hand thing after Peter was all, "Then not only my feet, Lord, but my hands and my head!"

Last night at my place we scrubbie scrubbie scrubbied all the feeties with nice warm water and both hands and made sure they were clean and patted well dry. The priest doesn't do all the washing, we each take turns being washed and then doing the washing. It took us about half an hour to get through everyone who wanted to participate through the process.

Mind you, though, this is the first church I've ever been in where people were literally lining up. Previous churches the pastor would have to all but guilt trip folks into being the one person getting their feet washed. And I never participated until I joined up with this crew.

Another anecdote from yesterday, one of my atheist acquaintances demanded to know if I was going to be doing the foot-washing thing. I said, "Yes". And then she proceeded to go on and on about how it was gross and she would NEVER let someone else touch HER feet and how could I DARE do such a thing that was so HORRIFYINGLY ICKY?

Ten minutes later she went on a social media network and called for people to come with her next week for pedicures. Because letting a Vietnamese woman* scrub at your feet for twenty bucks is apparently totally different than someone who might be your equal.

*In the US, a disproportionate number of nail technicians are Vietnamese immigrants.

Spiffy, may I borrow that story to use in a homily?

Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :

I was at a footwashing service once at the LCMS denominational headquarters building. We used a basin, both hands, and a fair amount of--well, not scrubbing, but you get the idea! It was very moving.

Bit freaked out last night by having to do an unexpected variant on footwashing--helping change a diaper while communion was going on. I have no idea why the adult didn't take the wee one away from the dinner table--but it was far too late to do anything but help by the time I realized what was going on. And with the words "This is my body" resounding in my ears!

Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Spiffy:
one of my atheist acquaintances demanded to know if I was going to be doing the foot-washing thing. I said, "Yes". And then she proceeded to go on and on about how it was gross and she would NEVER let someone else touch HER feet and how could I DARE do such a thing that was so HORRIFYINGLY ICKY?

Ten minutes later she went on a social media network and called for people to come with her next week for pedicures.

I love irony.

Posted by leo (# 1458) on :

When I last kept Holy Week at Mirfield, they not only washed feet, they kissed them.

Posted by Spiffy (# 5267) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Mama Thomas:
Spiffy, may I borrow that story to use in a homily?

Go right ahead.

Posted by Chorister (# 473) on :

To me, washing of the hands does make sense in our culture, as it's something we do before having a meal. Not many people - unless perhaps it's the height of a hot, sticky summer, wash their feet before supper.

Washing hands would therefore seem a perfectly apt adaptation.

Posted by Jade Constable (# 17175) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Chorister:
To me, washing of the hands does make sense in our culture, as it's something we do before having a meal. Not many people - unless perhaps it's the height of a hot, sticky summer, wash their feet before supper.

Washing hands would therefore seem a perfectly apt adaptation.

Agreed.

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :

I wash feet - no other body parts. In outback and tropical Australia feet are often dirty. Yukky. It accentuates the point. I make it clear before the kick-off and in the printed order of service that participation is voluntary. I have a deacon-equivalent (usually kuruman who is a priest but liturgically deacons for this ceremony) wash mine.

My feet are so ticklish even I can't touch them, so when she does it I have to dig my nail so deep into my calf that I want to scream - so I don't giggle.

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Spiffy:
squicked

What a fine verb. Present passive. Can it take an active voice?

Posted by Jengie Jon (# 273) on :

The problem with washing hands is as I think my father (or it may have been someone here said and Dad repeated it) is that "it exchanges the action of Christ for the action of Pontius Pilate". Even in UK current culture think of the application of the image in "I wash my hands of ..."

Jengie

Posted by Bostonman (# 17108) on :

I went to my first Episcopal Church Maundy service last year expecting only four to six people to go forward for foot-washing, and when nearly the whole congregation lined up I was so moved I joined in! The symbolism of a vestry member washing my newcomer feet etc. is wonderful. Unfortunately I , like Zappa, have extremely ticklish feet, so this year I sat out that bit in prayerful silence.

As others have said, I would never participate in or condone hand-washing. It would make me very uncomfortable to symbolically wash my hands of Jesus. If the good hymns had already been sung, I might even walk out once I'd caught on! Participate or don't, but if you're squeamish you don't get to change things. Although it's funny to think of opposition to transubstantiation along the same lines..."Oh yuck, BLOOD?"

Posted by Jade Constable (# 17175) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Bostonman:
I went to my first Episcopal Church Maundy service last year expecting only four to six people to go forward for foot-washing, and when nearly the whole congregation lined up I was so moved I joined in! The symbolism of a vestry member washing my newcomer feet etc. is wonderful. Unfortunately I , like Zappa, have extremely ticklish feet, so this year I sat out that bit in prayerful silence.

As others have said, I would never participate in or condone hand-washing. It would make me very uncomfortable to symbolically wash my hands of Jesus. If the good hymns had already been sung, I might even walk out once I'd caught on! Participate or don't, but if you're squeamish you don't get to change things. Although it's funny to think of opposition to transubstantiation along the same lines..."Oh yuck, BLOOD?"

I am far less squeamish about blood than I am about feet!

Posted by Ecclesiastical Flip-flop (# 10745) on :

Where it is a free-for-all and only a few people in a small congregation, come forward to have their feet washed, any who would feel uncomfortable, would not be obliged to come forward, nor would they do so.

In a large congregation things may be more formal and feet-washing restricted to just 12 people (men only or ladies as well) arranged beforehand.

This year, I went forward; the celebrant was female; feet were touched by her and for me, not an issue! I was glad to come forward in this way to make my participation in the Liturgy more complete.

Posted by Hairy Biker (# 12086) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Bostonman:
I might even walk out once I'd caught on!

Not an option where you're the crucifer.

Posted by Oblatus (# 6278) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Ecclesiastical Flip-flop:
In a large congregation things may be more formal and feet-washing restricted to just 12 people (men only or ladies as well) arranged beforehand.

We have 12 pre-arranged folks (male and female) who seem to represent various age and demographic groups in the parish. Not sure how deliberate this is, but I'm sure attention is paid to make sure it's a balanced and diverse group.

Posted by Vulpior (# 12744) on :

I can see hand washing as an acceptable modern equivalent for foot washing, if it wasn't for this coming in Holy Week, when you may have heard, or be about to hear, the account of Pilate washing his hands. It's that the two parts of the story are so close in time that makes some of us react badly to the idea. But some of you appear to have incorporated it successfully, so hats off to you.

Posted by Mama Thomas (# 10170) on :

No one is imitating Pilate. I hope the celebrate will both hand sanitise and lavabo after the foot washing anyway. I wash feet and prefer it but people are arguing here that in some situations washing hands may be pastorally the best way to go. Sometimes one does have to wash a whole body--an incontinent Alzheimer's patient for example. Doesn't mean you're obeying Peter instead of Jesus

Posted by 3rdFooter (# 9751) on :

In answer to the OP, I hold each offered foot (often just one in our shack) and pour a little (warm) water over it, hand the jug back to the right hand acolyte, take a towel from the left hand acolyte, dab the foot dry, hand back the towel and move on. Everyone who comes forward gets washed, often about 20 people in a congregation of about 35.

I do feel uncomfortable doing it but I think it should be slightly unnerving. In deed I have used that in Maundy Thursday preaching. (Pedicure - classic)

I am uncomfortable with hand washing being the norm on Maundy Thursday because of the scriptural reference. However, I have known it be used as part of the welcome to an agape meal/service. That seemed effective, culturally relevant and so on.

Posted by seasick (# 48) on :

We do offer hand-washing as an alternative. I think we make clear both in preaching and in the invitation to come forward that foot-washing is the norm but that hand-washing is available if for some reason someone cannot/does not wish to have their foot washed. In an ideal world we'd only do feet, but sometimes you have to live with pastoral realities.

Posted by Hairy Biker (# 12086) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Mama Thomas:
Sometimes one does have to wash a whole body--an incontinent Alzheimer's patient for example. Doesn't mean you're obeying Peter instead of Jesus

Really? As part of your Maundy Thursday liturgy?

Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :

These things happen. Though hopefully in privacy and away from the main action, though you don't always get that, either (see my example upthread).

Posted by kingsfold (# 1726) on :

We do feet, for as many as wish, or hands if the recipients are too squicked out by the idea of having their feet done. It's a full wash with warm water & radox, rinse and dry, and some of our priests will also kiss the washed feet.

In my former parish it was hands: we'd have our hands washed, then wash & dry the hadns of the person next in line.

I found hand washing fairly moving, but feet much more so. In part I think that's about the fact that my feet are that much more private and personal, so there's a level of vulnerability involved in letting someone else handle them. At some level there is also the recognition that I'm a single person who isn't hugely tactile, and having someone else touch me and even kiss me in that kind of context is a combination of being hugely symbolic as well as deeply loving and moving.

Posted by Chorister (# 473) on :

I wonder whether the footwashing reluctance is linked to whether people like, in general, to be active or passive in a service. It is noticeable in some churches (my own included) that very few people actually wish to take an active part in any sort of service, preferring to sit quietly in their pews. When volunteers are asked for footwashing, it tends to be the more outgoing, active people who come forward - most would rather stay in their pews as usual.

Posted by Traveller (# 1943) on :

Foot washing on Maundy Thursday, to me, is a distraction.

The key to the day, scripturally, for me, is the Last Supper and the command to do this in remembrance of me.

I agree that the footwashing that follows the Last Supper is a clear pointer to humility for all, but it seems to have become the central act of Maundy Thursday liturgy in recent years, whereas in my formative years I never heard of it.

Some may say that the feast of Corpus Christi is the way in which the church remembers the Last Supper, but that moves it out of Holy Week and breaks the sequence of Last Supper, washing the feet, going to the garden for the betrayal.

Maundy Thursday liturgy irritates me so much now (arms are always twisted hard to find "volunteers" for their feet to be washed) that I chose not to attend this year. I had another regular Thursday evening commitment that happened to be on March 28, so I went to that instead.

Posted by Spiffy (# 5267) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Zappa:

quote:
Originally posted by Spiffy:
squicked
What a fine verb. Present passive. Can it take an active voice?

Yes. It's a noun (squick) and a verb (to squick). is the active version. It's fairly common in the fan community for describing basically something that's so far outside your personal kinks that it physically makes you cringe and suck air between your teeth, but it has little to no judgement in its connotations.

Posted by cliffdweller (# 13338) on :

We wash the feet of our visitors who come to stay at our bad weather shelter on our night (Wed) to host. Since most have no access to shower facilities, they do, as you might guess, need a pretty good scrubbing. Afterwards we give them fresh clean socks.

Posted by ldjjd (# 17390) on :

I sure there are many people who wouldn't want their feet washed in church due to embarrassing physical problems, e.g., nail fungus, hammertoes, athlete's foot, gout.

The same could be true with hands, e.g., missing fingers, tremor, nail fungus again.

[ 01. April 2013, 04:25: Message edited by: ldjjd ]

Posted by malik3000 (# 11437) on :

I have a rather ugly nail fungus on one foot, but not the other, so i keep my sock on the foot with the problem and present just the other foot for washing.

I truly love this observance, for me one of the most meaningful of the year. In an RC church i used to attend, before they ended the at-large participation of the congregation (sadly in my own humble opinion with respect to holders of other opinions), one year in a church we washed each others hands -- which (again my own perspective) seemed just a tiny bit creepy to me for some reason, i'm not really sure why.

Posted by Aileen (# 3594) on :

Washing feet of 12 people in church, to be like Jesus washed all his 12 disciples. And afterwards the ones who was the volunteers feet, dry their feet and then was their own hands and dry them.

Posted by Hairy Biker (# 12086) on :

quote:
Originally posted by kingsfold:
...hands if the recipients are too squicked out by the idea of having their feet done.

This is what concerns me. I can see the point of allowing people to participate even though there are medical and practical reasons not to expose their feet in public. But once we concede that, we have to take account of the squeamish and the shy and the can't be bothered to do it properly, and the "well I'd rather not" and before we know it, this lovely ritual of service and humility will be nothing more than a wet handshake.

Best practice I can see from discussion so far would be to limit it to 12 and get people who can get their kit off. If there are not 12 willing volunteers, consider if it's appropriate for that congregation.

Posted by Chorister (# 473) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Hairy Biker:
Best practice I can see from discussion so far would be to limit it to 12 and get people who can get their kit off. If there are not 12 willing volunteers, consider if it's appropriate for that congregation.

Agreed - 12 is a reasonable number to fit into the time available (we usually sing a hymn or the choir sing an anthem during the foot washing), echoes the 12 disciples, and allows those who really don't agree with it to not take part. However, in some churches, the churchwardens (or whoever) spend an inordinate amount of time each year phoning up many times that number in order to find 12 who are willing. If they have to phone more than 24 different people in order to get the 12, they really should call it a day.

[ 04. April 2013, 17:38: Message edited by: Chorister ]

Posted by malik3000 (# 11437) on :

At our place, all are invited to participate, as described in my above post. No one is made to feel uncomfortable if they choose not to do so. (Indeed due to the toe problem on one foot i considered not going forward, until i decided on presenting just one foot.)

Also, i have always been impressed with how quietly efficiently large congregational moving activities (e.g. communion) are handled at our place, so that's not a problem. The ushers' training must be good, i assume.

For me, and of course it is just how i feel, i really love the communal participation of the way it is done in our parish, and for me it is one of the high points of Holy Week.

Posted by canalto2 (# 17644) on :

I read some English bishops were up for a bit of Maundy shoe-polishing.
Hasn't something been lost here?

Posted by Galilit (# 16470) on :

I am even more picky about my shoes than I am about my bare feet.
(I have particular brushes and usually use a different colour polish than the shoe to give me a unique shade of leather eg blue on black, red on brown).

Posted by Hairy Biker (# 12086) on :

quote:
Originally posted by canalto2:
I read some English bishops were up for a bit of Maundy shoe-polishing.
Hasn't something been lost here?

Thanks. I hadn't heard about that. Google has:
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/digest/index.cfm/2013/3/27/Bishops-shine-shoes-for-Maundy-Thursday

Posted by Belle Ringer (# 13379) on :

quote:
Originally posted by 3rdFooter:
In answer to the OP, I hold each offered foot (often just one in our shack) and pour a little (warm) water over it, hand the jug back to the right hand acolyte, take a towel from the left hand acolyte, dab the foot dry, hand back the towel and move on.

Only one I've been to that did "everyone" that's the way - clergy guy did all the "washing," we lined up, one foot, a dribble of water, a quick brush with a towel (I think we were supposed to bring our own towel?), next.

I felt, don't know the word, puzzled, disoriented, disappointed. A dribble of water on the top of the foot? If a foot needs washing it's the stinky bottom! I expected a pan of water foot stuck in pan.

Years earlier at a retreat weekend the organizers announced a foot washing, pair off. Pan of water, soap, towel, sit. Nowhere to hide, so I paired with a friend. To my surprise, washing her feet was not at all unpleasant. And her washing mine took me right back to being a tiny child, I realize no one (but me) has washed my feet since Mommy giving me a bath. It was a real special experience, partly because foot bottoms are sensitive there's an inherent intimacy.

A dribble of water on the top of the foot felt to me like a mockery of footwashing.

But then calling a wafer of bread and sip of wine a "meal" or "feast", sigh.

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :

When I emptied the bowl this year (it was actually one of our salad bowls) it was full of red grimy dirt. Remote Australia is great for authentic dirt experiences.

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :

I should add, contra the only 12 theory, that we've always made it available to all present - only about twelve in this parish but up to forty or so in my last place. We play Pärt's Spiegel im Spiegel and then lapse into silence while the process continues.

Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :

The most moving footwashing I've experienced was on the Northern Cross pilgrimage to Holy Island. We all took part and washed each others' feet, which was a physical as well as spiritual treat after a whole day tramping in sweaty boots across the Northumbrian fells.

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