Includes bibliographical references (pages 65-72).
Contents:
Methodological statement -- Theological reflections on pregnancy and childbirth -- Childbirth as a rite of passage and the role of ritual -- A brief history of rites of matrescence, spirituality, and ritual -- Conclusions from conversation partners -- Indicative liturgies and resources -- A liturgy of blessing for a pregnant woman -- Blessings for pregnancy, childbirth, and matrescence -- Prayers -- A liturgy of welcome in celebration and thanksgiving for a mother.
Summary:
In cultures worldwide, rituals and rites of passage are used to mark lifes transitions: from birth, to coming of age, to death. However, universally it is matrescence, the transition to motherhood, which is the least ritualised of the great human transitions. The modern Church of England is no different: the once-expected service, Thanksgiving of Women after Childbirth Commonly Called the Churching of Women (1662 Book of Common Prayer) has fallen out of use, perhaps replaced in pare by the Common Worship service of Thanksgiving for the Gift of a Child, in which the focus is firmly on the child, and not the mother. The modern-day woman is left wondering where she fits in, on one hand participating in Gods creative work, and yet seemingly forgotten in the Church. This work is intentionally output-focussed, and an aim is to offer resources which could be used with women in a variety of settings. As there are no authorised Common Worship resources, the liturgies are devised from scratch, using ocher existing resources for inspiration, but producing completely new liturgies. These are offered as guides only, to allow flexibility and creativity, and to enable the presenting needs of the woman traversing matrescence to be met. --Back cover.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.