Trinity 15
Acolyte Recognition Sunday
Deacon Chip Shattuck

In the ancient church, there were two sets of orders. The major orders were bishop, priest, and deacon. Minor orders were the porter, also known as the doorkeeper; the lector, or reader; the exorcist, which did exactly what you think he did; and the highest level of the minor orders was the acolyte.

The word acolyte starts in the Greek. Akolouthos, meaning attendant, goes through Medieval Latin as acolytus to modern day acolyte. Some scholars, going backward, wind up with the same Greek word, which they interpret as follower.

Early candidates for priesthood generally went through the minor orders first. As a matter of fact, the acolyte was actually an ordained adolescent male, 18-20, intending to become a deacon, and then priest. Now the minor orders are just lectors and acolytes, neither of which requires ordination.

Today, I’d like to talk about our contribution to that ancient yet modern order, the acolytes seated to your right and behind the altar rail. 

When I first thought about going to Bishop Sutton with my idea to recognize and bless these acolytes, I wasn’t sure I could get 19 mostly young people to show up at the same time and the same place, with the same purpose. Getting just 4 of them to show up, more or less awake, hair presentable, wearing correct shoes, on time and robed each week is not unlike herding cats. One is lucky to get by with just a few scratches. But 19! I must have been a few French fries short of a Happy Meal to think it could have been pulled off.

But now, as I look out upon these servers, some of which are actually listening, I am struck by how safe our future really is. These kids are great multi-taskers. They all go to school. Some have jobs. Most are involved in one or more sports or other activity. They attend Flair functions, school functions, and family functions. They play video games. They keep up their My Space pages. They mostly follow the directions of parents or teachers. They do their homework, watch some TV and read. They pack 30 hours into a 24 hour day.

Yet, with all this going on, they also find time to serve the Lord. I see them each week leave the tugs and pulls of their everyday lives and fix their concentration and love, for at least an hour, on something that returns no quick, tangible reward.

I am so very proud of these young people, and you two older people, too! The job you do is 100% volunteer. I know parents are involved, and God bless them for their support. But without the specific dedication by each one of you, this ministry would fail.

And so, reflecting on the early definition of an acolyte as attendant or follower, but realizing the dedication of these individuals, I believe them to be more leaders in the making, than simply followers.

There have been many blessings heaped upon us at Church of the Holy Communion. One of the greatest blessings is this group of followers who will be leaders. Amen.