Volunteeristic Vice

Recently I've have two experiences that made me think: "I could do that so much better."

First was at the wedding of "the Dads," the family that my sister and I have been nannies for for ages. They had a commitment ceremony before we met them, maybe ten years ago, but with the recent legal strides in our fair state, they decided to go for the legal recognition.

At their (very brief) city hall wedding, the officiant, who could not find her way out of a liturgical paper bag, instructed Papi to say his vows and then began the exchange of rings, skipping Abba's vows, even after Abba gently reminded her about them. ("Later," she said, and by "Later" she apparently meant, "After this is over and you go home.")

As a liturgist, a specialist of ritual, I was royally pissed off. Ritual eases us into transition and marks sacred time and events. It's familiar enough that everyone knows the parts. We've been to enough weddings to know that both people get to say something. Abba knew he was missing out. But the officiant was oblivious. Who let this woman volunteer? How many weddings has she ruined? In Catholic circles, missing the vows makes the whole thing invalid. Luckily it's the paperwork, not the ceremony, that counts in civil circles. But nonetheless, what the hell?

I could totally do it better.

Then of course, there's the youtube video of a tour of Oakland's new Cathedral. The tour director is fine, but something about the way he talks ("The bronze is going to get rough and that's... beautiful?") that makes me think... I could do that better.

So today I'm sending in applications to volunteer for both civil ceremony officiant and Cathedral docent. It's probably a bad idea to volunteer based on prideful conceit, but I just like to call it "knowing my strengths."

Wish me luck, or pray for divine intervention (like lightening?), your choice.

Comments

[Amy]

FYI-the Diocese has started recruiting Cathedral docents. Go for it DC!! I'd especially love to hear your explanation for how the new Cathedral resembles a certain female body part. :)