Compline

My name finally came up on the prayer officiant rota and I was responsible for leading this evenings Compline. I'll admit, I was a bit nervous, as there seems to be more-than-moderate attention paid to liturgical precision here. There is a "right" way of doing nearly everything, including which candle of the two on the altar to light first. It is understandable in a house of ministry formation to be attentive to such details, but since I'm the kind of person who often only figures out the "right" way by stumbling into the "wrong" way, it doesn't make me feel particularly at ease.

It turns out I didn't have much to worry about. Compline is optional (as opposed to 7:40 morning prayer and 6:05 evening prayer) and only two other folks showed up. The cantor didn't even make it. Sure, I made some minor goofs in a few places, but I think it went fine. Now I feel more ready to lead Thursday morning prayer, where there are sure to be more people in attendance.

The best part: I even got to ring the call-to-prayer bell, something I have to restrain myself from doing every time I walk by that sturdy metal bell and taunting dangly rope.