One of the most joyous occasions presented semi-annually in the St. Joan of Arc church is the opportunity for expectant families to receive a special blessing as they await the birth of their child. On this lovely May evening, seven families participated to reap the gifts that this service offered them.

The closing blessing above tells the story better than this reporter could ever imagine. The next words uttered were: “And now, let us go and have cookies and milk!”

Indeed, they did that, and while drinking healthy milk and eating delicious cookies, seven newly blessed expectant families spoke to each other as old friends with much in common. They spoke of due dates and nursery ideas and much, much more.

They had all just been blessed with water and candle light during a lovely service full of the richness of ritual, music, pictures, prayer and most of all, commonality.

The Prayer Partners of St. Joan’s designed a lovely blessing. Prayer Partner Louise Jankowski and our own liturgist and musician, Anna Vagle, led this evening’s service.

Helping to make this service complete and informative were two professional Doulas (birthing helpers). Doula Judith Nylander is an integral part of these spring and fall services. Ms. Nylander invited one of her co-workers, Emme Corbeil(right), who just finished an internship in Davao, in the Philippine Islands, to come and speak of her experiences there. One astounding fact that Ms. Corbeil told us was that in the village she was working, there were 193 births in the seven weeks she interned there and of the difficulties and hardships she encountered.

The gentleness and special talents of these two ladies makes one realize how much their professional expertise would ease the birthing process for moms-to-be whether in hospitals or at home. Ms. Corbeil explained how powerful and universal a connection there is between birthing mothers and fathers everywhere.

A riveting slide presentation of pictures of mothers from various countries and cultures all over the world was shown and enhanced by a musical background of solo recorder music. There was an astounding similarity of the gazes between mother and child that was blazingly apparent in these series of still pictures.

The singular theme that was present throughout this service would have to be the fact that we are all the same. No matter what country of origin, that gaze and the sounds are the same even among vastly varying languages.

Prayer Partner Louise Jankowski(center) with her two expectant daughters.

The actual Blessing Ritual consisted of candle and water. Each family was blessed individually. Louise dipped her hands in the bowl of water and placed them on the womb area of the mother to be. Anna would say:

A lit candle would be handed to the mom by Judith. Anna would say:

This was the highlight of the evening and it was heart warming to see the joy in the faces of each of those families approaching the small altar, anxious for this special blessing.

St. Joan’s is unique in its reverence and attention paid to this momentous occasion for a family expecting a new baby. Would that this stalwart example of reverence could be spread throughout the larger church so that all families would be given an opportunity to receive a wonderful blessing service gift.

and

JoAnn Potts is a retired teacher, music/English/choir director and 35 year member of St. Joan's. She enjoys volunteering to assist Anna Vagle with music tasks one day each week; singing in the choir; writing her memoirs, poetry and SJA web articles; keeping up with family and friends. JoAnn and Jim, husband and wife team of 54 years, are proud of their family of five children and nine grandchildren. Wanna see pictures?  JoAnn can be reached at jpotts@mn.rr.com.

In the meantime, perhaps you know of an expectant family that would like this blessing. Be sure to let them know that there will be another service in the fall and we invite any and all expectant families to attend whether or not they are members of this parish.