St. Michael's Cross
Some years ago, two members of our congregation with family in South Africa returned from a visit there with great enthusiasm for something they had seen in an Anglican Church about 25 miles outside Johannesburg.
It was the custom in this Church to periodically hand a cross to a member of the congregation. The recipient would pray for the Church and the Church would pray for the recipient.
It was a custom adopted by St. Michael’s about 20 years ago. One of our congregation, a skilled craftsman in wood, made several crosses, which were called St. Michael’s Crosses.
Every two weeks, one person, or a couple or a family, is presented with St. Michael’s Cross during worship at our Sunday morning Eucharist in a simple ceremony. The Minister making the presentation says to the recipient:
‘Do you undertake to pray for all who belong at St. Michael’s, as we undertake to pray for you?’
The recipient replies ‘With the help of God I will’
The Minister then hands over the cross to the recipient with these words:
‘I entrust this cross to you. May God help you to be faithful in |
