Sometime in 1984 Rev. Bruce Pate baptized me Anna Elizabeth Adams, and my liturgical journey began. My name means grace, and I’m still growing into it, following the footsteps of St. Anna, the mother of Mary, and traveling “upward and inward” toward the beatific vision. I have a long way to go. I’m an odd mutt-blend of Wesleyanism (of the United Methodist variety) and Roman Catholicism, with a hefty dose of Orthodoxy and probably a pinch of Calvinism thrown in. I’m hoping this makes me a catholic christian in the best ecumenical sense of the word. It may also make me crazy, but only time will tell.
Wading in the Atlantic Ocean
I’m currently in my first year at Notre Dame working towards Masters of Theological Studies in Liturgy. I did my Masters of Divinity at the Divinity School at Duke University, and have been blessed beyond belief through worship and study at both institutions. I’m not a genius, by any stretch of the imagination. I’m a pretty ordinary girl, but I hope that with God’s grace I’ll be useful to Christ’s church. I also think the church’s liturgy is a primary means of participation in Christ’s revelation of God to humanity, as it goes on through the Holy Spirit, and I’m pretty sure it bears more thought and consideration than most people realize. Ultimately, I’d love to not only spend my life immersed in the liturgical life of the Church but also help priests and pastors think more broadly, deeply, and theologically about how worship constitutes their congregations. After all, whether we are in lay or ecclesial ministerial positions, we owe God’s people the best.
I study a lot. I really love chocolate and all good food. I get significantly more upset than I should when priests or pastors fraction the bread during the institution narrative of the Eucharistic Prayer. I adore old hymns (pre-1800; Chant is also very nice.). If I’m not studying, you can usually find me curled up with a romance novel (i love them), enjoying friends, or outside adventuring around Indiana- this is a beautiful new place I’ve found, with the most bizarre weather patterns I have ever seen. Thunder snow is real, and I can now witness to this reality. I love movies, particularly old and odd ones, adventures of all stripes, and chocolate.
Myself (center) with friends Joelle (right) and Katie (left)
I’m still learning about the Church, the world, and everything in between, and I’m delighted to share my discoveries here. Please don’t steal my work, but feel free to borrow anything from this blog that is helpful to you or your church. I’ll do my best to credit my sources on this site as well, so you can find them, read them, and love them as much as I do!
Grace,
Anna E. Adams
