significant lay participation

[cellio]

Last week one of the morning minyanaires asked if I would lead the service occasionally, and lent me a siddur when I said I needed to learn it better. (There's a big difference between being able to pray for yourself and being competent to lead a congregation.) This morning he asked how it was going ("slow progress", I said), and then he said something about me leading every Thursday (!). I said something like "let me get through it once before we schedule me for a regular slot, ok?". If I can do it correctly I would enjoy that, though.

I've been really enjoying the occasional opportunities to read Torah at my own congregation. (I almost said "periodic", but the cycle isn't regular yet.) I'm glad that we have something like ten people either reading already or interested in learning how. I think this will good for the community -- participation leads to engagement and investment.

I wonder which other religions have comparable opportunities for serious-but-not-formally-educated lay people to take on significant worship roles. My childhood congregation didn't, but that's only one data point.

(Aside: is there a better word than "lay" to describe "just plain folks" in this case?)

Comments

Talit

[psu-jedi.livejournal.com]

Many women in our conservative shul, including me, wear talitot. I see no reason why you shouldn't wear yours in a conservative shul if you choose to do so. Mine was a gift from my in-laws on the occassion of my conversion. It's cream with blue and maroon, so I guess you can kinda call it feminine (but not girly...I don't do girly. ;-)