Last Saturday, while cleaning up from our church Yard Sale, there was a distinctly joyful noise coming from the church next door. They had a swinging band, and the pastor was leading them in some very engaging and exciting responses. Lots of “Halleluiahs” and “Praise God” came clearly through the afternoon air.  

Coincidently, Monday’s meditation from The Word in Season was titled “Noisy Sunday.” It was a reflection on how we don’t often have a noisy Sunday in today’s traditional churches. Not for lack of trying, I want to add-mostly because this is how most of us were raised to behave in church.  

If we have been coming to church since childhood, we learned to sit praying silently to God during the service, no crying, no talking or poking and, for me as a pre–Vatican II Roman Catholic, no singing in the vernacular. Don’t get me wrong, I loved singing the mass in Latin, but I was extremely happy to have lots of music incorporated into the service in the late 60’s. 

However, I still brought my boys up in the quiet church tradition. If they wiggled or cried, I took them out of the pew and into the back of the church. I could not let them disturb the other parishioners during their worship time. It is very difficult to ignore years of training. 

There is a sad reality about this strict code of behavior that we have imposed on each other. Some have become unaccepting of those who behave differently, who swing to the music and pray in loud voices. We look with disdain at children wiggling in the pew, rather than joyfully welcoming them. 

The Episcopal church that I attend in the summer was established by a group of mothers who wanted a safe and welcoming church for their children. It began as a mission church and became established within a few years. For almost 20 years the same woman priest led the congregation until she reached the mandatory retirement age. The church was a mecca for families and children. I wish that I could tell you that those numbers remain healthy, but they do not. 

The new priest and his wife came to the church childless and left at the end of September with two little ones. Those two children added a dimension to Sunday services that is very difficult to replicate. I wish that I had a photo of Father Bob’s young daughter standing solemnly at his side as he consecrated the bread and wine. Really priceless. I’m not sure how many folks would be able to tolerate that degree of movement away from established protocol, but this congregation welcomes it and urges its families to feel comfortable.  

Adults walk with the children to bring the offerings to the altar and collect the cups after communion. The children are not always quiet. Sometimes they chase each other around the church. Is it distracting? Yes, it can be. But is it wrong?  How can it be wrong to have children learning to give praise to a loving Father God? 

I am not advocating a complete turnaround in our church behaviors, maybe just a few more noisy Sundays like our neighbors at the church next door. Can I get an “Amen”? And, of course, always remember that God loves you unconditionally whether you are quiet, or noisy-no conditions imposed.  

Terri