I also volunteer for kitchen duty which will keep me busy next week.

What kind of a church is it.

Thurifer is the person who swings the censer or thurible. MC makes sure everyone does their job. Sub-deacon is the third sacred minister at the altar who assists the deacon. The sub-deacon is filled by a lay person or a clergy person. Sub-deacons ware a tunic and alb but no stole unless they are an ordained person. Chalice bearers give the communion cup out only. In the Episcopal church clergy give out the bread for the most part.

And all the hymns are unfamiliar. But I may go on Easter.

The episcopal mass is a lot like the Roman Catholic Mass. Many of our hymns are from 19 and 20th century hymnity

It must take years to learn all the prayers and practices. I fear I'm too old to start, so I fumble along. They tolerate that.

I was invited to speak at a service during the week that the AIDS quilt was here in town. This church was instrumental in helping make it happen.

When I got to the church they told me I would enter with the processional, following the clergy, et al as a guest. I froze for a second. Then figured I would simply follow the lead and take a place on the bench beside the altar 'till I was asked to get up to say my few words. (I was picturing a Catholic church set up.)

But when we got to the altar, there was no bench! Someone realized I was obviously lost and discretely indicated where I should stand while the service proceeded. It was probably the MC or a sub-deacon I guess.

In any event I made some brief comments and all went of well. Had no clue whether this was common in Episcopalian services. (Lay persons are rarely, if ever, on the altar during Catholic masses.)

I was humbled, excited, somewhat surprised by the invite and really enjoyed being a part of the service. And grateful for some on site direction...

I am glad it was a good experience for you and I hope you always feel welcome at our churches.

We look like we're all pomp and circumstance, but we honestly don't take ourselves seriously. We all have a story of something dumb we did during a service, and we laugh about them. There's always someone to nudge you in the right direction.

we have no MC or sub-deacons. We don't even have deacons.

Rector, assistant rector, chalice bearers, ushers. And, we rarely do incense, as it is hell on singer's throats, and the choir really doesn't like it.

Most Episcopal Churches in NYC are very formal.

Depends on the church.

I went to a number of events there as a child, so it would stir up some memories.

They have a good assortment of outreach, fellowship, and worship.

Now they not only do president's funerals, they do same-sex marriages, too.

I just love the cathedral itself, as a structure.

Very progressive man! He was stationed at All Saints Pasadena CA which is a very liberal parish. One of my priest knew him when she was stationed there.

and I'm sure I will at some point. He is definitely out there. We have a long tradition as a very liberal diocese.

She seems to be very progressive.

Budde has a very positive presence, very encouraging.

She did one on Religion and Ethics Weekly on PBS a few weeks back and she was great. You might know this already but you can watch services from years past on the cathedral website and I have seen several of her sermons and they are great.

We have a prayer service and soup supper every Wednesday in Lent. I've attended all of them and made soup.

I'm altar guild, so I'll be pretty busy during Holy Week. I'll be covering Tennebrae on Wednesday night and Good Friday for three hours on Friday.

I love Holy Week and Easter. I'm so not a Christmas person.

I also love advent.