tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post7791359297065455608..comments2023-11-03T05:46:44.728-04:00Comments on RevGalBlogPals: Ask the Matriarch - An Interesting Yarn!Stephanie Anthony/She Revhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10089531643725874239noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-18050143378152567802009-12-22T11:52:21.531-05:002009-12-22T11:52:21.531-05:00I'm a bloke who's just started knitting (1...I'm a bloke who's just started knitting (10 days ago!), to join my wife in her favourite occupation. I'm also a priest (Church of England), and I've been thinking about this, so was very glad when Sally pointed me at this discussion.<br /><br />I think I'd be happy if people were knitting, because knitting is, for me, an activity which says "I'm content, I feel at home". I'm not ready to start knitting at the front of service - particularly if I'm presiding! - and I'm not sure that my training incumbent (read "boss") would be happy if I were to do it when I'm in the congregation. Mind you, the whole knitting thing came as a something of a surprise to him (and most of my male friends!).<br /><br />I wonder whether other people have the same thoughts about "feeling at home", and whether we should encourage it - maybe at family services, in particular?<br /><br />Oh - and on smart phones - I've used mine several times when in the congregation. Two or three times to video my children dancing at the front, and once when we had some visitors from Mexico who spoke very little English. I managed to find the gospel reading online in Spanish, which was much appreciated.MikeCamelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11071687698206472591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-19853537684681039262009-12-19T22:57:48.825-05:002009-12-19T22:57:48.825-05:00Thank you all for your helpful discussion! I love ...Thank you all for your helpful discussion! I love the idea of possibly turning this interest into a mission activity like a prayer shawl ministry. Don't know why it hadn't occured to me. The idea of discussing the question of "what is worship and how do we do it" also appeals to me. I've led classes in other churches on that subject but not in this church. They all seemed so theologically knowledgeable when I began, that it didn't seem necessary. (I'm one of the fortunate few who has followed a clergywoman who served this church for 22 years!) You have given me lots of laughs, some much needed support, and plenty of food for thought.<br /><br />RevMomlgmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09175043873024773144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-56189808065256703192009-12-19T16:38:34.873-05:002009-12-19T16:38:34.873-05:00There are several people who knit during church wh...There are several people who knit during church where I worship... and it Drives. Me. Batty. I do find it disrepectful and distracting in worship. Meetings, I have no problem with, and during church conventions, I almost always wish I knew how to knit. <br /><br />I get that having something in your hands can help you listen - but knitting is not actually all that quiet of an activity. Apparently, its just me, but it seems that me that grown adults should be able to pay attention for an hour without having to have an activity to help them focus. Its especially frustrating to hear complaints of how our acolytes (elementary aged kids) are fidgety, and how that is so distracting, but having needles clicking all over the room is fine. <br /><br />If there is no double-standard, if fidgety kids are allowed to have an "activity" that makes some noise and "helps them listen," (and people aren't rolling their eyes about parents-these-days) I'd be less bothered.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-22267873126215960472009-12-19T00:12:25.967-05:002009-12-19T00:12:25.967-05:00I am not a knitter, but I observe people knitting ...I am not a knitter, but I observe people knitting around me in meetings all the time. I haven't had anyone knitting during the sermon,but I'm afraid that if I did, my first thought would be, "am I boring you?"<br /><br />Except.<br /><br />Except I see the comments of the knitters here, and I know that people can often listen *better* when there hands are occupied. And I know that my own son was in fact paying attention during sermons even though to all appearances he was absorbed by drawing. <br /><br />So maybe, just maybe, the knitting/crocheting is a positive thing if it helps one be receptive and attentive. <br /><br />The nature of our liturgy (Episcopal) is participatory enough that I would be much more concerned if they were doing handwork during other parts of the service.Rev Dr Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11607665272056430039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-6378087059346208042009-12-18T15:32:38.874-05:002009-12-18T15:32:38.874-05:00If I were you, I'd ask the people who knit ind...If I were you, I'd ask the people who knit individually, "why do you knot during the sermon?" Based on the answer, you could take your next course of action.Hilhttp://onhilstreet.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-56433621826499084802009-12-18T14:31:04.749-05:002009-12-18T14:31:04.749-05:00This is such a comfort to me to read the comments ...This is such a comfort to me to read the comments of women who knit in meetings in order to diffuse anger or distress or contempt at what they're hearing -- I'm not alone, hurray!<br />I knit in clergy meetings and synod meetings ... and when challenged I usually say "This way there is something concrete to show for my time" or "Knitting prevents me from getting up and throttling the person speaking"...we have a parishioner with mental-health issues who strips the insulation off salvaged wire during worship, coiling it up carefully (the wire is a source of income for him)and he is always careful to sit in the very front pew where he's not distracting to other folks!Crimson Ramblerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13020190454645032359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-49746253318258790892009-12-18T11:37:42.071-05:002009-12-18T11:37:42.071-05:00My first church in 1978 a woman put on sun glasses...My first church in 1978 a woman put on sun glasses when I started preaching. I convinced myself that it was because the sun hit a certain point at that time in the service. Alas she did not put on sunglasses when my husband preached. Finally I rallied the nerve to ask her.. She smiled, kindly and said, I'm ready to hear a woman in the pulpit but not to see one just yet. <br />We became friends and that was a reminder to me of the newness then of women ministers. <br /> Later in another church after I'd told that story to the women's group, 5 of them as I looked up from the prayer, put on sunglasses. It was so funny. And because only the choir could see them it was such a great gift to me.Bobbie Giltz McGareyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08876798823416584511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-24372312211437735172009-12-18T11:18:00.691-05:002009-12-18T11:18:00.691-05:00Oh, I've brought knitting to big meetings, esp...Oh, I've brought knitting to big meetings, especially if I'm likely to be snarky - it helps with decorum if I have something to turn my wrath upon - WRAP that stitch, PULL it through, REPEAT. <br /><br />One of my oddest moments - during intentional interim training - I was knitting socks and a young man from a non-female ordaining tradition came up and asked - why bother. He lost me twice that day - he was rude to an older woman, and he was rude to my craft!<br /><br />On the knitting board the argument was made that some folks are kinesthetic learners - they learn better by doing, or at least having motion associated with their learning. <br /><br />Again - I believe the issue here isn't the craft, but what is worship - in this setting - and how are we reverent and attentive in the moment of worshipPriscahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11598470758481744971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-14405779825994392992009-12-18T07:32:17.851-05:002009-12-18T07:32:17.851-05:00Sitting in a pew...I would *like* to knit during w...Sitting in a pew...I would *like* to knit during worship, but have not done so, because I believe that it would be upsetting/distracting to others in my congregation. <br /><br />I have knit during Sunday School and Vestry meetings.Mary Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02970052534402740820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-12917000090762625432009-12-18T02:13:41.243-05:002009-12-18T02:13:41.243-05:00i have some knitters in my church, and it doesnt b...i have some knitters in my church, and it doesnt bug me. One of them explained to me that she listens better when her hands are moving and I've heard others say that too. I agree that, if the service is participatory, encouraging some kind of conversation or demonstration or illustration that includes knitting might be helpful and enjoyable.Jennifer Garrison Brownellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10170014214291920971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-15296611584804221612009-12-17T20:43:05.253-05:002009-12-17T20:43:05.253-05:00I haven't had this in my worship services, but...I haven't had this in my worship services, but I will admit to knitting or crocheting through all of our presbytery meeting - - the business and the worship. It serves two purposes for me. During the business part, it keeps me from opening my mouth and making snarky comments to those around me. Very helpful. During the worship, I actually change my pace a little. I have a definitely stitch rhythm, for example, during the Lord's Prayer. I stitch the sections or petitions. I also do that on the fly during other portions of the worship service that aren't the same every time. During the sermon, it helps somewhat like during the business meeting (I'm a horrible sermon-listener now that I'm a weekly sermon-preacher). I also find that when I have something in my hands to keep part of my body and brain busy I find myself daydreaming less and somehow listening more.<br /><br />I can TOTALLY see, though, how others around me may think this is disrespectful and I sort of wish I could wear a sign that says, "Yes, I'm listening and praying, too." I explain it whenever I get the opportunity so others aren't offended by me, especially worship leaders if they can tell, but usually I'm in the way back near a plug for my computer which I also do during the meeting (but not worship).Stephanie Anthony/She Revhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10089531643725874239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-20733717087829100842009-12-17T20:00:16.143-05:002009-12-17T20:00:16.143-05:00I had to laugh - I'm a member at 'Ravelry&...I had to laugh - I'm a member at 'Ravelry' the knit/crochet site with and I put in 'knitting in church' and came up with a 500-thread conversation from a year ago. Most of the knitters/crocheters thought it was great - helped them concentrate, etc.<br /><br />some of the discussion got quite heated. <br /><br />I think your response - since it's a cozy and intimate group - might be to engage conversation about what is worship - how do we worship, postures of prayer, listening, etc. Don't ignore, and don't scold, and don't patronize - love! This could be fun!<br /><br /> Your group is so small - and wonderfully diverse - maybe a new crafting worship ritual may arise.Priscahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11598470758481744971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-55192613400694243132009-12-17T14:49:00.974-05:002009-12-17T14:49:00.974-05:00I guess I don't see anything wrong with it eit...I guess I don't see anything wrong with it either. It seems to be more apropos than doodling or checking email or Facebook... <br /><br />Some people do listen better if their hands are busy. It would be a good conversation starter, at the least.Debhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07077252518911858612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-82005934318025274912009-12-17T12:12:55.651-05:002009-12-17T12:12:55.651-05:00Knitting I could live with - and could cause some ...Knitting I could live with - and could cause some very pertinent sermon observations occasionally via knitting metaphors - casting on / casting off; life unravelling; or even [groan] the purl of great price?!, etc. That will be the tester to see if they actually are listening. :)<br />I like the idea that the knitting within worship could be for prayer shawls or some such tho - that's a very cool and creative way of using diverse gifts in worship.<br />Phones in worship, on the other hand, are Satan's spawn. Or perhaps I'm being a wee bit reticent in telling you how I feel about them, having lived in Scotland so long... ;)Nikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03500372331937107264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-17138591348475509092009-12-17T12:05:47.801-05:002009-12-17T12:05:47.801-05:00This might be an opportunity for your knitters to ...This might be an opportunity for your knitters to be invited to share what they are making and how it can be a ministry (prayer shawls, blankets for others, etc.). <br /><br />At one church I attended, I was walking back and forth at the back with my infant and I observed two teens reading novels and one adult balancing her checkbook during the sermon!Anna Sorensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12282584909692804697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-79197455642800451922009-12-17T11:44:38.053-05:002009-12-17T11:44:38.053-05:00We don't have anyone who knits in church (that...We don't have anyone who knits in church (that I know of); a few people bring coffee into our 10:00 contemporary worship and others are offended by this). But it's interesting that I just started bringing knitting to my husband's church for their small monday night service. I knitted a little during the sermon (I'm an active pray-er and singer, so I would never dream of knitting during those times), but then felt embarrassed about it.<br /><br />I would say what others say about "don't take it personally." There are other issues (the people who bring coffee in and those who think it's disrespectful), and I would keep my ears open to see if any of that is going on, but I would imagine that none of this is disrespectful to you personally, or reflects on your preaching ability.Diane M. Rothhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07749136181846671327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-52512380609539417082009-12-17T08:41:00.505-05:002009-12-17T08:41:00.505-05:00I've been in ministry only seven years, but I&...I've been in ministry only seven years, but I've been in four churches so have a fairly wide range of experiences with different communities. At my last interim, one of the first questions I was asked (by people who had read in my bio that I knit) was "Do you mind if we knit in church?" I could see the question had been posed a bit defensively.<br />"Of course not," I said. I definitely focus better on a speaker while knitting. I have a multi-tasking brain; if I put something that requires minimal to modest attention in my hands (say a sock or a prayer shawl), the rest of my brain focuses readily on what is being said. At my interim church, the ladies were making Remsen blankets for Church World Service. That is TOTALLY mindless knitting, back and forth, back and forth, forever! I didn't mind it at all. <br />Don't take it personally. Handcrafts are seeing a renaissance and people take them everywhere the way they take coffee everywhere now. I'd rather see knitting needles or crochet hooks in the pews than people sleeping while I preach! I still have mixed feelings about smartphones, though. Maybe we need to talk about those!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08235049965406944684noreply@blogger.com