march 2014 link newsletter

8/12/2019 March 2014 LINK Newsletter

1/12

Pastor ............ ............ ............ .... Andy Gans

Visitation Pastor (Ret.) .......... .. Tom McNeil

Music Director .......................... Rick Roberts

Executive Assistant ........... ........ Chris Muramatsu

Nursery Attendant .......... .......... Tammy Keeslar

Proofreaders.............................. Susan M. Jensen and

John Stewart

Contributors ........... ............ ........ Members of Ft. Ki

Assembling ................................. Phyllis Altonn, Bo

Burns, Kay Dahlen, Joyce Gauntt, Eleanor Ha

more, Pat Merrill, Carol Primm, Roselle Prin

Judith Simonin, Aileen Zimmerman

Bulk Mail Handling ........... ........ John Stewart

Office: (352) 694Office: (352) 694Office: (352) 694Office: (352) 694----4121412141214121

FFFFAAAAXXXX:::: ((((333355552222)))) 666699994444----5555222222226666

13 NE 36TH AVENUE13 NE 36TH AVENUE13 NE 36TH AVENUE13 NE 36TH AVENUE

OOOOCCCCAAAALLLLAAAA,,,, FFFFLLLLOOOORRRRIIIIDDDDAAAA 33334444444477770000

www.fortkwww.fortkwww.fortkwww.fortk

ffffoooorrrrttttkkkkiiiinnnngggg@@@@eeeeaaaarrrrtttthhhh

Worship: Sundays 10:30 a.m.Worship: Sundays 10:30 a.m.Worship: Sundays 10:30 a.m.Worship: Sundays 10:30 a.m.

Greetings in Gods holy name,

One thing I have learned, and am very ap-preciative of, over my years here is how wel-coming our church is. I know most churchessay that their congregations are welcoming,but I believe we really are. I have heard many

people, insiders and outsiders, over the yearssay how welcoming and genuinely friendlyour church family is. What a great witness toGods love!

One of the ways we feel we share the love ofGod and are friendly is during the Passing ofthe Peace, also affectionately known asMeet & Greet. This does seem like a won-

derful time of welcoming, but I wonder ifeveryone feels that way? The Worship Minis-try and the Session have taken up that ques-tion for discussion at recent meetings. Onemember shared the following article fromChristian Century. The article looks at thistime of greeting one another. I have includedthe article in this Link so you too can reflecton the way we Pass the Peace of Christ each

Sunday. I will include responses to the articlein the April Link.

Blessings,

Members only?Members only?Members only?Members only?Christian Century, Jan 06, 2014 by John M. Bu-chananWhen the church was under siege, the ritual of pass-ing the peace was important to members who weremeeting in secret and literally holding on to one an-other for dear life. Today its meant to serve an im-portant function in worship.

(continues on back)


2/12

2

ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE

Financial Status as of January 31, 2014

Total Offerings Actual = $23,860.70Total Offerings Budget = $24,677.85

Variance = - $817.50

Total Expenses Actual = $21,160.92

Total Expenses Budget = $26,251.17Variance = - $5,090.25

Our expenses are somewhat misleading as there were $3,650 budgeted in January for items that will be paid for inFebruary.

To summarize: we spent $1,440 less than we expected (not counting the above mentioned $3,650) and we re-ceived $817 less in offerings than expected. This left us $623 to the good in January.

This $623 was saved in items such as Utilities, Postage etc. as well our Ministries not spending their budgeteddollars.

Contact Steve Layendecker, Chair of Finance, with any questions 694-1014 or [email protected].

CONGREGATIONAL CARE

Thank You

The Muckenfuss family - Jane, Jim and Mark would like to express our thanks to the caring folks at FKPC for thprayers, cards, love and friendship during the recent loss of our husband and father, Rudy. The prayer shahelped to warm him and we thank the church for providing it. And thanks to the ladies who prepared and servthe refreshments at the reception. Many, many thanks to everyone and to Andy with his visits and prayers whicomforted us in our darkest hours. Thank you!


3/12

March Birthdays

CONGREGATIONAL CARE (continued)

Thank You

My dear Ft. King Family,

Your outpouring of love and concern was deeply felt by Dave, me and our family during the last several monwhen he was ill. After Daves passing, it was even more evident when Rev. Gans conducted a touching and meingful memorial service followed by a beautiful reception. You all came together to show your love in so mways printing the program, placing camellias and fern on white tablecloths, providing an enormous array of foand offering words of condolence to us in the receiving line. We wish to thank you for the heartfelt cards, plaflowers, food, visits, telephone calls, and emails that gave us so much support throughout this time. We are alGods midst and His love surrounds all of us.

Marianne Fullarton and family


4/12

4

DISCIPLESHIP (continued)

Sunday School for Children

Sunday School will continue to meet in the Christian Education Building immediately following the childrensermon each Sunday with the exception of the first Sunday of the month. The children are included in the woship on that first Sunday for the celebration of the Lords Supper. The teachers for March will be Sheletha anJoe Strawder. We especially appreciate the dedication of all our teachers.

Library Corner

The most recent addition to the church library is a well-researched and well-written book Stephen R. Haynes about the campaign for desegregation of southern churches in the 1960s. Tbook is entitled "The Last Segregated Hour""The Last Segregated Hour""The Last Segregated Hour""The Last Segregated Hour" which refers to the fact that, although many instittions and activities were beginning to integrate, most churches in the south were still adamansegregated. The author is the current Professor of Religious Studies at Rhodes College in Me

phis. In the 1960s, Rhodes was known as Southwestern, a segregated Presbyterian colleWhite activist students at Southwestern joined forces with black students from other area coleges and, in small groups, would try to attend services at some of the segregated churches. Whdenied entrance, they would protest non-violently by kneeling on the sidewalks and quietly praing.

Professor Haynes conducted nearly 150 interviews between 2003 and 2012 with protestors, pastors, church members, reporters and others who had first-hand knowledge of the "kneel-ins". FKPC's former pastor and his wJim Bullock and Ervin Haas Bullock, are two of the desegregation activists interviewed by Haynes. An indexthe back of the book lists all the pages on which their names are mentioned.

In the words of one reviewer of the book: "The dramatic stories of courage and resistance that populate this iportant book demonstrate the complex relationship between religion and social justice, documenting the histostruggle to persuade the region's faith-based institutions to practice what they preach." This book is a fascinatistudy of a little-known tactic of the desegregation movement which will appeal not only to scholars of religion ahistory but also to pastors and church people concerned about fostering racially diverse congregations.

Check it out! The church library is open every Sunday morning from 9:00 until at least 11:45; other times request.


5/12

Crafty Ladies

Crafty Ladies meet on Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. We

hope to see all of you there. If you would like to join our group, come for a visit someThursday and see what we are doing and how you can help. We welcome new people and

new talents!

Sassy Seniors

All widows and single ladies are welcome to join Sassy Seniors on Wednesday,

March 12th at 1:00 p.m. This months luncheon will be at Feta-Downtown at 306

SW Broadway St.

Card Making Ministry

Card Making Ministry meets on the 2nd Friday of every month at 10:00 a.m. until aboutNoon. We will meet off-site. Please contact Prudence Pritz if you are interested in join-ing this group.

GROUP ACTIVITIES

Mens Night Out

Mens Night Out will not meet in March. If you would like to host Mens Night Out at 6:30 p.mon April 14th, please contact John Stewart at 236-1557.

Presbyterian Women Circles

All women of Fort King are Presbyterian Women and are invited to participate in all activities of PresbyteriaWomen.

You are cordially invited to attend one of the Circle meetings. Deborah Circle meets at the church, in the Sesion Room, on the third Tuesday of each month at 10:00 a.m. Deborah Circle will meet on March 18th. EsthCircle meets on the second Monday of each month in the evening at members homes. Esther Circle will meon March 10th, at 7:00 p.m. at the home of Heidi Lawson.


6/12

6

SESSION

Session Notes for February 18, 2014

Church Family Celebrations:Church Family Celebrations:Church Family Celebrations:Church Family Celebrations: The pastor-led devotions was about a passage from Pauls letter to the Corinthians and he used the story of

his own (Andys) efforts at baking cheesecake and how, like the cheesecake that came out lopsided, falling,

etc., we can still enjoy being followers of Jesus -- who accepts as we are. The adult Bible study classes coordinated by Buddy MacKay have been well attended. The childrens ministry class on the Lords Table was successful! Margy Marshall has two more great grandchildren on the way. Pat Merrill has a grandson who has been awarded a National Merit Scholarship Troop 196 and Scout Sunday was well received by the congregation. The Troop successfully camped at

Santos.

Motions and Other Session Items:Motions and Other Session Items:Motions and Other Session Items:Motions and Other Session Items: The Minutes of the special called session meeting of January 19, 2014; as well as the minutes of the congre-

gational and corporate meetings also of January 19, 2014 were approved. Upon motion, the policy on the Pastors Discretionary Fund was approved. David MacKay, treasurer of the FKPC Corporation, was elected treasurer of the church, effective January

1, 2014. The transfer of Carol Butler and Kaitlyn Fuller to First Baptist Church at the Villages and Cross Roads

United Methodist Church in Jacksonville, respectively, and removal from the rolls of this church at theirrequest, was approved by the session.

The session approved Rick Roberts and Cate Martin as Directors of the VBS program for June 22-26, 2014. The session approved Communion as part of the following special services: Ash Wednesday and Maundy

Thursday; Easter sunrise service; and Christmas Eve services. The session approved the churchs 2013 Statistical Reportafter some discussion about obtaining more ac-

curate age demographic information about the congregation The Pastor has been invited to a reinvigorating CREDO retreat in October 2014. The Pastor is a Presby-

tery commissioner to the PCUSA General Assembly meeting this June and Ruling Elder Bob Schlegel is analternate.


7/12

WORSHIP

Attention Poets and Creative Writers

One of our Lenten Wednesday night programs will focus on poetry and/or storytelling. I am looking for writers,

readers, and storytellers to help me prepare a 45 minute presentation for Wednesday, April 9th

. I would love tohear your stories or poems or perhaps you have a favorite poem written by someone else that you would like toread. Please contact me by the end of March and we will pull this together.

Kathy Kuhns ([email protected]), 352.622.4073.

During Lent, take time for reflection . . .

The Worship Ministry invites everyone in our Church family and all of your friends to gather each

Wednesday during Lent for a period of alternative worship and reflection. This will be an opportunity for thespiritual renewal that precedes Easters promised new life.

Wednesday, March 5 Ash Wednesday ServiceAsh Wednesday ServiceAsh Wednesday ServiceAsh Wednesday Service in the Sanctuary7 p.m. The Rev. Andy Gans will lead us in a celebration ofCommunion and with a distribution of ashes

Wednesday, March 12 Reflection through Dance and MovementReflection through Dance and MovementReflection through Dance and MovementReflection through Dance and Movement6 p.m. in the Session Room -- Led by Cate Martin

Wednesday, March 19 Reflection through SilenceReflection through SilenceReflection through SilenceReflection through Silence6 p.m. in the Session Room Led by Joanne Ohlman

Wednesday, March 26 Reflection through MusicReflection through MusicReflection through MusicReflection through Music6 p.m. in the Session Room Led by Rick Roberts

Wednesday, April 2 Reflection through Jamaican WorshipReflection through Jamaican WorshipReflection through Jamaican WorshipReflection through Jamaican Worship6 p.m. in the Session Room Led by Judith Bullen and Pam Lewin

Wednesday, April 9 Reflection through PoetryReflection through PoetryReflection through PoetryReflection through Poetry6 p.m. in the Session Room Led by Kathy Kuhns


8/12

8

Something to Think AboutThe Temptations of Jesus of Nazareth -1

Luke 4:1Luke 4:1Luke 4:1Luke 4:1----13//Matt. 4:113//Matt. 4:113//Matt. 4:113//Matt. 4:1----11 see Mark 1:1211 see Mark 1:1211 see Mark 1:1211 see Mark 1:12----13131313

Please have Luke 4:1Luke 4:1Luke 4:1Luke 4:1----13131313 open as we study this material.

The Synoptic Gospels did not write a historyof Jesus of Nazareth but their storystorystorystory----interpretationsinterpretationsinterpretationsinterpretations of the mean-ing of the life and death of Jesus for people caught up in Imperial Roman society and culture. The perspectiveof the Gospelersis not just that such-and-so events happened in Palestine; it is rather that what happened inPalestine has cosmicsignificance: human violence and conflict have an impact on the matter of divine andhuman justice on earth. Jesus death was instigated by some leaders of his own people; their will was carriedout (even if Pilate washed his hands of the whole affair!) by Imperial Roman authority. What had infectedJesus own people was later identified as satansatansatansatan, not an external outside force, but the source and representa-tion of conflict withinwithinwithinwithin the community! (Elaine Pagels 1996 The Origin of Satan34; read her first chapter most enlightening and then the book!)

Secondly, the Temptation story is haggadah,is haggadah,is haggadah,is haggadah, a Hebrew word meaning- to walk, go, i.e. a manner of living;- to search out the meaning and implications of sayings and events; and,- a sermon homily, applying the meaning of a text to ones daily life.

This was the practice in synagogues and in early churches. The sermonic teaching would include exhorta-tion, along with religious, moral, historical, and allegorical materials as illustrative of a main point. This isprecisely the function of the Temptation story: to give an overviewoverviewoverviewoverview of events in Jesus life and ministry, andto see that, if we choose to follow Jesus, this could happen to us as well!

Thirdly, the Hebrew meaning of the idea of temptation is:- to try to force Gods hand to see if God will do what He has promised;- to manipulate Godso that God will act in such a way that is consistent with my selfmy selfmy selfmy self----interestinterestinterestinterestwhat I want for me!what I want for me!what I want for me!what I want for me!

Oh, do we humans try to do this with one another in our human and social relationships?

When we look at the Matthew/Luke temptation story,Matthew/Luke temptation story,Matthew/Luke temptation story,Matthew/Luke temptation story, the order of the tempting is different; we will followLukes order, as that is probably the original.

A. The Greek text says: sincesincesincesince you are the Son of God clearly indicates both Christian lan-guage and belief in Jesus as the KingKingKingKing----Messiah of IsraelMessiah of IsraelMessiah of IsraelMessiah of Israel who was called Gods sonGods sonGods sonGods son(See Psalm 2:7). Je-sus response to command this stone to become bread(Luke 4:3) is a quotation from the Greek

translation(called the Septuagint, LXX)LXX)LXX)LXX) of the Hebrew text of Deuteronomy 8:3: Man shall not liveby bread alone, but by every decree The point is: being human goes beyond having a full stomach,being human goes beyond having a full stomach,being human goes beyond having a full stomach,being human goes beyond having a full stomach,or being economically comfortable,or being economically comfortable,or being economically comfortable,or being economically comfortable, because all life is dependent upon the creative acts of God, andandandandGods provision goes beyond what we can do to provide for ourselves.

B. The Luke-text presents the second tempting: All the empires of the world in a moment oftime to you will I give all this authority and their glory Worship me and itll all be yours.

The LXXLXXLXXLXX translation of Deuteronomy 6:13 (see also 10:20) is used as Jesus response: You shallworshipworshipworshipworship the Lord your God and him only will you serve.

WORSHIP (continued)


9/12

WORSHIP (continued)

Both the LXX and Hebrew texts have the word fear,fear,fear,fear, as in The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wis-dom. Fear means precisely this: I recognize that I, a human being, am not my own creator or sustainer I did not create myself nor am I the Lord of the universe! Therefore, I have no authority or right to playplayplayplayGodGodGodGod with the lives of human beings or with my own life, regardless of who makes an offer that cant berefused!C. The Temple incident is the third tempting for Luke: sincesincesincesince you are the Son of God, throw your-self down from here(the pinnacle of the Temple God will protect his own Son from harm)- lest youstrike your foot against a stone. Jesus response again is taken from the LXXLXXLXXLXX Deuteronomy 6:16: Youshall not tempttempttempttempt the Lord your God.

As said above, to tempt means to manipulate a person to fulfill ones own self-interest and to see if theotherotherotherother person will keep his/her word. To try to trick God into acting on behalf of my self-interest is an actof tempting God.

Okay, the above is what the Gospel-text is communicating. Lets summarize for our situationif we intend to befollowers of Jesus of Nazareth:

1. We may be invited to provide for and to solve all the problems of human need. To acquiesce tosuch an invitation means to play God with the lives of other people: such was/is the expectation for anEconomic Messiah.Economic Messiah.Economic Messiah.Economic Messiah.

2. We may be called upon to serve a Political MessianicPolitical MessianicPolitical MessianicPolitical Messianic function of rulership, dominion, and power

over the lives of human beings; and,3. We may be invited to participate in a Religious MessianicReligious MessianicReligious MessianicReligious Messianic function. Not only will there be onlyone true religion, but well be the ones in power over all.

The history of human religion, and in particular of the Abrahamic religions Judaism, Christianity, and Islam shows rather clearly that weve not done very well as messianic rulers over human beings.

To be a follower of Jesus of Nazareth means precisely to give up messianic aspirations and dreams ofprecisely to give up messianic aspirations and dreams ofprecisely to give up messianic aspirations and dreams ofprecisely to give up messianic aspirations and dreams ofpower.power.power.power.

Luke 22:25-27 and Mark 10:42-44 preserve Jesus perspective: those who rule lord it over them (thepeople) and strong men tyrannize them! But, Its not going to be like that with you! You must be a ser-ser-ser-ser-vant!vant!vant!vant!

Jesus was not a MessiahMessiahMessiahMessiah----KingKingKingKing at all; he was a servantservantservantservant this is what the temptation-storyis all about.Indeed, the temptationtemptationtemptationtemptation----storystorystorystory is a commentary on and a response to Psalm 2:Psalm 2:Psalm 2:Psalm 2: It says explicitly we cannot

understand Jesus of Nazareth in terms of Psalm 2 MessiahMessiahMessiahMessiah----KingKingKingKing----Son of GodSon of GodSon of GodSon of God concepts, nor our mission and minis-try as a church.

Something to think about.

Shalom,Tom


10/12

10

WORSHIP (continued)

Flower Calendar

Please note:Please note:Please note:Please note: I am trying to work ahead on the flowers, so if you would like to provide flowers to commemorate special event/occasion/memory etc. for a specific date, please call me as soon as possible. Thank you.

Please also note:Please also note:Please also note:Please also note: It is never too early to call me to select your chosen date. Dates in latelatelatelate 2014 are already beingselected, so please dont hesitate to call me if there is a Sunday you would like to commemorate by sharing withthe church some type of flowers or plant of your choice. (It could be fresh, silk, dried, etc. from your yard, a su

permarket, a florist, etc.)

As of this mailing, the following people will be providing flowers in March, April May and June 2014. If youwould like to provide flowers on a date of your choice, please call Nancy Hall at 694-3221. Thank you.

Thank you to these people as they share in donating the flowers for the following worship services:

March 2, 2014---In celebration of life, from Colleen and Richard LivingstonMarch 9, 2014---In honor of March birthdays of Claudia (Schulze) Freudenburg, Gertrud and Bonnie SchulzeMarch 16, 2014---In celebration of my mothers 95thbirthday, from Maria MadiganMarch 23, 2014---From Jean Brown, Hal, Douglas, Bruce, and Lynn in loving memory of

husband and father, Halowell E. BrownMarch 30, 2013---OPEN

April 6, 2014---From Gouley AndrewsApril 13, 2014---In celebration of Trent and Liesha Herrons 29thwedding anniversaryApril 20, 2014---Easter (Easter lilies in the Sanctuary)April 27, 2014---In loving memory of Ray (April 2007) from Sue and the girls

May 4, 2014---Celebrating the life of my dear wife, Nel, from Charles KirkMay 11, 2014---OPEN (Mothers Day)May 18, 2014---From John and Jean Stewart in celebration of their 59thwedding anniversaryMay 25, 2014---From Pat and Jerry Merrill in recognition of our 59thwedding anniversary

June 1, 2014---From Nancy Stephenson in loving memory of her parents, Ted and Violet WikaryJune 8, 2014---In memory of our parents, Aleta, Max, and Robert, from the Repp familyJune 15, 2014---From Bernice and Bob Henry in celebration of their 54thwedding anniversaryJune 22, 2014---OPENJune 29, 2014---In honor of our 52ndwedding anniversary from Charles and Mary Ellen Vowinkel


11/12

Italicized items are non-FKPC activities using FKPC facilities

March 2014

1

9-3 Turn

Point (FH

29:00 - 11:45 Library

9:15 Adult Ed &

Youth

0:00 Choir Practice

0:30 Worship

1:30 Discipleship

Youth Ministry

2:00 Faith Leaders

5:00 PYC

37:30 Mens Bible

Study

5:00 TOPS (FH)

5:30 Mission Ministry

6:00 - 8:00 Marions

United (CE)

4

10:00 Prayer

Shawl Ministry

6:00 Connections

Ministry

6:30 Worship

Ministry

5

10:00 PW

Coordinators

7:00 Ash

Wednesday Service

8:00 Choir Practice

6

11:00 Adult

Discipleship

Ministry

11:00 Crafts

7:00 AA (FH)

7 8

99:00 - 11:45 Library

9:15 Adult Ed. &

Youth0:00 Choir Practice

0:30 Worship

1:30 Congrega-

ional Care Ministry

12:00 Faith Leaders

5:00 PYC

5:00 High Tide

107:30 Mens Bible

Study

9:30 Small Group

5:00 TOPS (FH)

6:00 - 8:00 Marions

United (CE)

7:00 Esther Circle

(off-site)

11

6:00 Finance

Ministry

7:00 Discipleship

Ministry

Children

12

1:00 Sassy Seniors(off-site)

6:00 Lenten

Wednesday

7:00 Choir Practice

13

11:00 Crafts

7:00 AA (FH)

14

10:00 CardMaking

Ministry

(off-site)

15

6

9:00 - 11:45 Library

9:15 Adult Ed. &

Youth

0:00 Choir Practice0:30 Worship

2:00 Faith Leaders

5:00 PYC

17

7:30 Mens Bible

Study

5:00 TOPS (FH)

6:00 - 8:00 Marions

United (CE)

18

10:00 Deborah

Circle

6:00 Session

19

3:00 Pastoral Care

Team

6:00 Lenten

Wednesday

7:00 Choir Practice

20

11:00 Crafts

7:00 AA (FH)

21 22

23

Food4Kids &

2 Cents A Meal

9:00 - 11:45 Library

9:15 Adult Ed. &

Youth

0:00 Choir Practice0:30 Worship

2:00 Faith Leaders

5:00 PYC

5:00 High Tide

24

7:30 Mens Bible

Study

9:30 Small Group

Study

5:00 TOPS (FH)

6:00 - 8:00 Marions

United (CE)

25 26

6:00 LentenWednesday

7:00 Choir Practice

27

11:00 Crafts

7:00 AA (FH)

28 29

0

9:00 - 11:45 Library

9:15 Adult Ed. &

Youth

0:00 Choir Practice

0:30 Worship

2:00 Faith Leaders

5:00 PYC

31

7:30 Mens Bible

Study

5:00 TOPS (FH)

6:00 - 8:00 Marions

United (CE)


12/12

FORT KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

13 N.E. 36th Avenue

Ocala, Florida 34470

Non-Profit

Organization

US Postage Paid

Ocala, FL 34478

Permit #100

RETURNED SERVICE REQUESTED

Label

(continue from page 1)

But I have come to dread this part of the service. I have visited two small congregations several times lately. Bot

include the passing of the peace. The presiding clergyperson invites worshipers to greet one another with a handshake and the words Peace be with you. (Why dont we say, The peace of Christ be with you? We dont meathe generic 1960s peace that was communicated with a V sign.)After the clergyperson says, The peace of the Lord be with you, and we respond, And also with you, all hebreaks loose. People leave their seats, walk around and greet nearly everyone else in the room. Robust conversationensue. There is laughter, sometime raucous, as two members share an inside joke. People discuss the results of football game or yesterdays storm. As a visitor, I shake the hands of the people immediately around me and theventure tentatively into the aisle. There I encounter a barrier that might as well be a sign announcing MembeOnly. Im on my own and not sure what to do. I feel as if Ive intruded in someone elses family reunion. I slinback to my pew, pick up the hymnal and read a few verses.

The ritual thats intended to affirm community often does anything but that if you happen to be a visitor. Insteadcongregation members are communicating clearly to strangers that their church is a closed corporation.To be fair, in both congregations there was a person who seemed to understand what was happening and greeteme warmly, asking my name. But most were busy renewing existing relationships.The same dynamic is in place at the coffee hour. Good friends, longtime members of the congregation, are so happto see one another that a visitor may stand apart and alone, balancing a coffee cup and cookie and carefully examining the pattern of the tiles in the fellowship hall ceiling.The hospitality of welcoming the stranger is not only good manners but also Christian spiritual practice. But somtimes a Christian ritual thats meant to affirm community, love and unity among believers can be exclusive, awkward and off-putting to people who are new or not part of the community. When this becomes true about the passing of the peace, when its become a liturgical social hour for members only, we need to reevaluate it.

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