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Dear Covenant Family,
I spend a lot of time alone on one side of the Chancel, sitting in a pew normally reserved for the choir. Usually, Jonathan Moyer is the only other occupant, posted on the opposite side, at the organ bench, each of us occupied with our own endeavors to proclaim the gospel through word, sacrament, and music. Sometimes the organist must hurry to the back gallery to play the Newberry organ, though I haven’t yet joined him to preach from the balcony. The pulpit is high enough for me, and quite visible from wherever one sits in the sanctuary. Plus, it has a railing to hold on to, carved with intentional imperfection meant to convey that though God’s word may be perfect, the preacher is not. The work one does in the chancel in the name of Christ is humble labor, and it relies on God’s Spirit carrying the message to human hearts.
A chancel is traditionally defined as “the part of a church near the altar, reserved for the clergy and choir, and typically separated from the nave by steps or screen”. But after the Protestant Reformation, the altar became the communion table and moved closer to the people. Most screens disappeared, and choirs sing from different places in the sanctuary. I think the Chancel at Covenant is particularly beautiful, with the wooden carved reredos, the Rose window, angels alighting on organ pipes and the baptismal font always close by.
On Sundays we invite children and youth into the Chancel for story and prayer. But on Youth Sunday, we invite them to lead us in worship. For many months they have been exploring the biblical concepts of faith, hope, and love, and we look forward to what they will share with us. I’m happy to have company in the Chancel, and even more happy that we have children and youth as an important part of our Church. Please welcome them with open arms, as Jesus did.
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