The service never starts on time because the congregation is usually late. The celebrant must speak loudly in order to be heard. And on one occasion a little one used the Book of Common Prayer as a teething ring.
The service meets a need articulated by young parents in the parish who “wanted a place where they could say their prayers with their children and not have to worry about the busyness of being a young member of St. Paul's picture,” Nelson said.
“We don't even try Sunday church,” said Sarah Steffner, mother of 13-month-old Julia. “She was a difficult baby. We need a place t come where she could scream a lot.”
Joannah and Tom Bartoo first brought their 15-month-old daughter Elyse to Sunday services and tried leaving her in the nursery. “Then she got separation anxiety,” Bartoo said.
Steffner, Bartoo and their daughters were among the eight mothers, 11 babies and five other adults who attended the BYOB Eucharist on St. Francis Day, Oct. 4.
“I think St. Francis would have liked this service,” Nelson said. “It has a little wildness to it.” He noted that the little people almost outnumbered the big people.
“We all hang out and have fun and pray, but sometimes we have to pray loud,” Steffner said.
Some mothers bring more than one child. Jennifer Murphee is a regular with her 19-month-old triplets.
Mildred Deyo has been a regular at the service almost from the beginning, although she doesn't bring a child or grandchild.
“Miss Deyo has 'adopted' several of the children,” Nelson said.
Following the service, Paul Reynolds, St. Paul organist-choirmaster, plays the organ in the nave and lets the children get a firsthand view of how the pipes and pedals work. The youngsters sit on his lap or the organ bench and watch in fascination.
In his sermon Nelson said that the BYOB service is not for every parishioner. “But I certainly have experienced Christ every time I get to be a part of that group, and we are blessed as a community by having them as part of our weekly routine.
By Emily McDonald
South East Area Correspondent
Excerpted from the December 2006/January 2007 issue of East Tennessee Episcopalian
Worshipers who attend the BYOB service at St. Paul's, Chattanooga, aren't what you might expect; some clutch sippy cups, toys or cuddly animals as they toddle or are carried into the chapel. They feel free to crawl up and down the aisle, gather round the altar rail or perch on some one's lap.
The Bring Your Own Baby service, held at 10:30 am each Wednesday, is “a little less than traditional,” the Rev. Ben Nelson said in a sermon covering current activities at the church.