Well, it may be too late jump into this thread, which the usual trolls seem to have dragged down into another slugfest, BUT, to return to the question:

The Episcopal Cathedral uses real prayer candles. There is a small wall box where donations may be made if desired, but it is nowhere near the candles, which are on a wrought iron tree-form sculpture near the back of the church. Those who donate tend toward quarters rather than dollars. No buttons to push -- you just take a taper, light it from another candle, and light the candle of your choice.

People light candles before, during and after the liturgy. And since the church is open weekdays for prayer, people stop by often to light a candle and pray awhile.

Good to know! Thank you!

__________________
"I think that anything that begins to give people a sense of their own worth and dignity is God."
John Shelby Spong

Go Phillies!

I keep hoping to meet you one of these days, Phillycatlady. Maybe the next diocesan convention.

It's a shame people forget why there are traditions.
Do you remember getting a gift from grandmom or grandpop. You cherished it.
Why?
Because most of them were hand made. Every time grandmom picked up her needle or grandpop planed the wood for that toy, you- the reciepient were thought of.
These thoughts were incorporated into the gift imbibing it with hour upon hour of love. Grandmom could picture her work being used on a future table, hanging at your windows or covering your bed. Grandpop could picture your hours of play. These thoughts too were imbedded within the gift. When you caressed the gift you could sense those feelings.
Even now thinking of that gift; your heart fills with the emotions created in that simple gift.
The same applied to candles. Most homeowners made their own candles. Prayer didn't start when the Candle was lit it started with the selection of materials in it's making.
Thinking of the reason for it's creation. Deciding which color was best for the prayer they were going to say. Which scent is appropriate.
Yes, Churches might say it's for insurance reasons, but in all the Centuries have you ever heard of a Church fire caused by candles.
None.
Truth be known most have forgotten even why candles are used.
Candles are a door between the physical and the spiritual. The silent or whispered prayer is carried by the candle's wispy heat and aroma from this worldly plane to the Creator.
Even the things we do before lighting the candle help to prepare us spiritually for the prayer we are about to say.
No electric switch can accomplish this.

Yes, I have heard of a church fire caused by candles. It happened here in Roxborough a few years back. Luckily the fire was contained and not much damage was done. After that the church began using those "button" light candles.

I don't think anyone has the right to look down on a church because they choose to use push-button candles instead of real candles. Fire can be devastating to a parish community, so many of them want to play it safe. Candles can be a threat, albeit a small one. Perhaps it's more of an issue now, since most churches are not left open during the day the way they used to be, so they're not under the same kind of surveillance.

Besides, let's not get too caught up in the physical attributes of the candle. I love real candles as much as anyone, but push-button ones can do the trick. It's not about what you light--it's the fact that you're lighting it, and you believe in it. It's just a symbol.

Thats how St. Joachim's burned down in 1979.
Someone walked in and threw a prayer candle in a confessional.

__________________


be aware that what the democrats say does not mean what it reads and what We perceive as to what THEY say is or isn't, is not what THEY mean. You dig....Great!

I'd rather have a 3rd term of Bush than a black Jimmy Carter. - copyright 2008 rpost


I love how some enlightened liberals have no problem censoring those with whom they disagree.

Do you attend that? I'm a Lay Deputy for my parish. I'll be there in November.

__________________
"I think that anything that begins to give people a sense of their own worth and dignity is God."
John Shelby Spong

Go Phillies!

I would love to meet you too someday, Phillycatlady. I only live several blocks away from from the Cathedral in University City. You are a dear sweet angel.

__________________
"Do I contradict myself? Very well then, I contradict myself. I am large, I contain multitudes." -- Walt Whitman, Leaves Of Grass

I do not attend convention as a deputy, but my husband and I are usually among the cathedral folks working behind the scenes to be good hosts. Sometimes I'm in Stevick Library in the next building, which we try to keep open through convention for anyone who would like to look over our hundreds of books for sale, or even check out a library book. Next time we'll have to try to set up a meeting time and place.