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<\/a>Beginning with the routine task of conditioning flowers, fresh cutting the stems, removing the leaves and hydrating them, it is often quieting and meditative work. Have you ever really studied the extraordinary beauty of blossoms and foliage of God\u2019s creation: their texture, patterns, and colors? Have you ever studied the symmetry of ranunculus? Or the shades in a Free Spirit rose? Awesome. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
After quietly saying, \u201cI dedicate this work all to the glory of God,\u201d several of us on the Floral Guild at the Washington National Cathedral then take our floral scissors to form the sign of the cross above our materials. Then we begin.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/a>As we position our flowers, our goal is always to create designs that direct the worshippers\u2019 eyes to the altar cross. The cross is our central focus and therefore we do not let the flowers go above the arms of the cross. Arrangements should enhance but not dominate the altar. Some of our larger arrangements take hours to prepare. This can be meditative, creative, and filled with the fellowship of other members. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Often, in truth, it is also physically challenging and demanding. But, team members generally laugh at the end of a long day, \u201cAll to the Glory of God!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many weeks, our teams arrange flowers specifically requested for a wedding or a funeral. This summer, a subdued young woman approached my flower guild buddy and me as we finished a lovely mixed hydrangea arrangement for a funeral the next day. We learned she was in town for the funeral. \u201cMy aunt loved hydrangeas\u201d she told us. Instinctively, my friend reached into the bucket and gave her one. With tears in her eyes, she exclaimed \u201cI can have this? You have no idea what this means to me.\u201d Worshippers love the beauty of the flower arrangements, but for many, the flower arrangements are truly pastoral to them. They may be the realization of a bride\u2019s lifelong dream, or they may pay tribute to the life of the person whose life will be celebrated. It can be especially comforting for the family when we use a loved one\u2019s favorite colors or flowers. <\/p>\n\n\n
<\/a>Sometimes, our flowers are a pastoral offering to the entire congregation. Following the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary, a few weeks later at Christmas, our Children\u2019s Chapel altar was adorned with 26 handmade angels to symbolize the children and teachers tragically killed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is a sense of humility and service as we take down our arrangements. As we gather our discarded flowers, recycle ones that can be used again (and again and again,) sweep and wipe down the floors, our hands and nails reflect the grungy, satisfying work of \u201ccleanliness is next to Godliness.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the creative yet very spiritual privileges of our work is to make arrangements that enhance the liturgical season. During Advent, simple greens help create a sense of waiting for the coming festive birth of Christ at Christmas. Lent is a somber season where we limit our displays to simple stark pedestal arrangements of bare branches, moss, or fungi as worshippers enter the nave. Otherwise, altars are bare and penitential.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n