I never want to take participation in the Eucharist for granted. In my tradition, a great mystery happens at the Altar. Of the bread and wine it is said, "Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him" (BCP 363).
As a cradle Episcopalian, I started taking communion at about 7 years of age, and I clearly remember the day (I was about 15) when I really listened to the liturgy and realized that, um, we were participating in commemoration of a human sacrifice. !!!
Typepad won't make an exclamation point big enough for how I felt that day! Took me a while to make some kind of peace with that.
Last night at the Thursday evening Eucharist, Fr. David reached the Communion and went over to put on his red chasuble. I have seen that done any number of times, but he was close enough for me to touch him. The effect on me was a bit like, "SHAZAM!!" He went behind the altar and continued, and My Favorite Seminarian went to serve at the altar. I had not seen her do that before in the chapel...again, very close up...and as the service continued, I could so see her celebrating the Eucharist in his place. I had "for real" chill bumps.
We don't get to see a lot of women priests at this time in the life of our diocese. I am ready for that to change.
Here, for your enjoyment, is a photo of eleven women bishops at the 1998 Lambeth Conference:
