Huge news story in Massachusetts today. The Rev. Anne Robertson, a United Methodist minister, was invited to bless Cardinal Sean O’Malley in an ecumenical service. I don’t think I have to explain to you, my worthy pigeons, why this is such a big deal.
Now, aside from the fascinating ecumenical implications of a Catholic Cardinal asking for a blessing from an ordained Protestant woman, let’s look at this from an image perspective:
The photo (which I shan’t post here for copyright reasons) was captured by archdiocesan photographer George Martell, who (rather condescendingly, I thought), told Rev. Anne Robertson, “This is your fifteen minutes.”
You know what PeaceBang is constantly telling you: your “fifteen minutes” may happen anywhere you are doing ministry. This is just what I mean. As long as anyone has a camera (and who doesn’t these days?), you are likely to be recorded for posterity, and perhaps even to become an important historical symbol, as our colleague Anne Robertson seems destined to be. I hope Anne’s friends are providing her with lots of extra spiritual and emotional support and chocolate right now, as this level of sudden attention can be really dizzying. Hang on, lady! Some of us have been there!
Many of you have sent me the link to this article today, and for that I thank you. Congratulations to the Rev. Anne Robertson of Sudbury for her moment in the spotlight. This is a good article presenting a variety of views (the Cardinal did the right thing, the Cardinal is a heretic, the Cardinal should not be congratulated for behaving like a decent person, this is a reasonable expectation for the ecumenical community to have among itself, etc.). Because I am PeaceBang and because I offer a perspective on image, I would agree with those of you who wrote in asking my opinion that yes, a ponytail is not a formal enough hairstyle for this occasion. It is important to keep one’s hair out of the Communion chalice, but ponytails — even if professionally blown out and done — are always inherently casual. A chignon, bun or French twist is more appropriate for important church services.
But it’s a great image. Anne exudes warmth, joy and groundedness in her vocation. She is smiling, she is bestowing blessing, she is caught in a moment of ministerial fulfillment. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. It’s high time for this kind of gesture.
Ummm, my first thought when I saw the photo was: “she should do something with her hair”.
But defenitely a great gesture.
The photographer’s comment bothered me, too. There are likely to be so many times in her work as a minister in which she shares people’s most important moments- baptisms, weddings, sickness, dying, funerals, etc. At face value the comment seems to devalue her work and her presence, and to diminish the cardinal’s own humility.