Introductory Activity:
Have a small laminated footwashing picture for each person to hold throughout the service and take home afterwards. some of the images above would work well or visit www.paulajolly.com for a couple of great pencil sketches on this theme. Please abide by all copyright rules.
Response Activity:
This works well as a change from foot washing or when there are congregational members who have mobility difficulties. It also takes a while to do so have some meditative music playing in the background. Pass a peeled onion around and talk about how raw onions leave a nasty reminder behind. As each person takes a turn to hold the onion ask them to think of a disappointment, a hurt or an action that they have suffered or caused. Then pass a box of scented disposable towelettes around and ask each person to wash the hands of the person on their right. As they do so, ask them to pray for that person asking God to remove the pain or disappointment or hurt in that person's life. I am fairly sure this is my idea but lots of other people have had e a similar idea and there are numerous variations on this theme.
Just to be a little different at any time
I sometimes use the Matthew readings which lead up to Jesus' arrest - so our concentration was on the Last Supper rather than the foot washing. We sat in a circle and remembered the foot washing story by serving each other communion poured from a communal jug/pitcher/bottle. We used a little more food than just the bread and reflected on betrayal and denial, grief and desertion and how each of these can be overcome by companionship and community.
Found in Mega Drama 1 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book, 2001, ISBN 0859109151v1, page 32 (pictured at left). This has been written for the gospel reading.
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