Church Flowers Etiquette

[Woodstock]

Not sure which topic to post this question under but hope someone out there knows what I'm talking about. Can anyone tell me (or tell me which site to view) for the protocol on church flowers through the religious calendar. e.g. no flowers during lent, red and white only at Whitsun, etc.?

[smudge]

Our youngest daughter got married around Lent & officially no flowers were allowed in Church. Having said that, we had a very nice Vicar who allowed us to adorn the Church with our own flowers - cheating I know, but it looked better.

[smudge]

*during Lent - rather than around it!

[silly moo]

There should be no flowers during Lent or Advent - both times of preparation for major festivals.
However many vicars allow flowers as long as they are removed IMMEDIATLY after the service so as not to offend the practising Christians.
Never heard the Whitsun one.
Red & white flowers not usually together other than at funerals.
Red for blood and white for death for those superstitious folk.

[Cetti]

This is a site for the church colours(not specifically flowers) throughout each season of the year. As you can see there is no hard and fast rule so I imagine it depends entirely whether the church is 'High' or 'Low'.  The Whitsun festival was replaced many years ago by Pentecost, which is six weeks after Easter and celebrates  the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles.

http://www.cresourcei.org/colorsof.html

[Octavius]

This site:

http://www.catholicireland.net/gettingmarried/ceremony/decoryear.htm

mentions a few flowers

[RevShirls]

Are you referring to any specific denomination, Woodstock? As silli moo says, Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches tend not to have flowers in the church during the penitential seasons of Lent and Advent but many make exceptions for weddings. Many other denominations tend not to follow this and often have flowers in the church all year round (Methodist, Baptist, United Reformed, Church of Scotland, Salvation Army etc).

The liturgical colours on the website that Cetti referred to is not really anything to do with the colours of flowers but the liturgical colours the clergy should wear and draperies for the altar etc

Best to ask whoever is conducting the service for the church's policy on flowers.

[Woodstock]

It's an Anglican church, and it's possible that there is not as many "rules and regulations" as I had first thought. (I've just taken over the flower rota and don't want to make any boo boos!)  Cetti's site was interesting but didn't really apply to my question - couldn't get onto Octavius' recommended site.  Was the address printed out correctly?

[Cetti]

Hi Woodstock, I did say the site I gave was not specifically for flowers. The site that Octavius gave is very good as it gives wedding flowers appropriate for the church season - and an excellent guide for you.

I understand you wanting to get it right, but unless your church is very 'High' ie. Anglo Catholic I would just follow the colours for the different high days and holidays. My church is Anglican but we have no rules thank goodness, but I would be inclined to ask say the Church Warden or someone like that as there's always one person who's a stickler for regulations. Good Luck!

[Cetti]

This is an alternate link for Octavius' site, so see if you can access this one:

http://tinyurl.com/5slna

[Woodstock]

'Morning, Cetti.  Thanks for your responses, although I can't seem to access that alternate site offered.  Don't know why - they both say "No documents found".  Anyway, I think I'll just wing it with the flowers, and if I get any complaints I'll suggest perhaps they might like to take over the rota?........

[Cetti]

Morning to you Woodstock! 

 I think you have the right attitude. I'd love to be a fly on the wall if anyone dares to criticize your flowers :-D!!

[Octavius]

Sorry the weblinks didn't work, but your Altar Guild should be able to advise, maybe start out by following these guides:

There are six seasons: Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and the season after Pentecost. The church new year begins with the season of Advent, which marks the Advent (Latin: adventus) or coming of our Lord. Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas day. Christmas is a twelve-day season that begins Christmas day and continues to January 6th. Epiphany is both a day (Jan.6) and a season, and represents the manifestation (epiphany) of the gospel into the world. Lent begins 46 days before Easter with Ash Wednesday, and is a time of preparation for Holy Week and Easter. Easter is a six week (50 day) season which ends on Pentecost Sunday. The season after Pentecost runs from Pentecost to Advent

Color plays an import part in the designation of seasons and feasts in the Episcopal Church. Each church season has a color associated with it. Advent is purple (the color of preparation and penitence) or Marian Blue (in honor of Mary), Christmas is white (the color celebration), Epiphany is green (the color of growth; growth of the gospel message from Jew to Gentile - re: the three Wise Men), Lent is purple, Easter is white, and the season after Pentecost is green (for the growth of the church). Weddings and funerals are usually occasions for white (the color of celebration) while Pentecost Sunday and ordinations are red, to signify the presence of the Holy Spirit. Black is occasionally used one day a year -- Good Friday.

[RevShirls]

This is what is says on the website Cetti posted:

In keeping with the calendar

The New Year - from nature snowdrops, first flowers etc., green for ordinary time in the church calendar.

February/March - is likely to be during the Lenten season. While it can seem a pretty sombre time there is also the possibility of drawing on the colour used in the Church at this time of year - violet. The altar should remain undecorated during this season. You might also want to link into St. Brigid's day if it is at the beginning of February, or St. Patrick's day in March.

April/May - is likely coinciding with Easter. There are plenty of primary colours to draw from as well as the Easter whites, as well as using plenty of greenery. Water is a powerful Easter symbol that you might want to allude to somewhere in the setting, as well as the Paschal candle.

May/June - Might be coinciding with Pentecost with lots of red. Parish confirmations and first communions might also be taking place so the church will be decorated for them.

July/August - the summer months provide us, again with vivid colours that we can use in the worship space.

Autumn - the harvest colours and signs of autumn (wheat, fruits etc) are wonderful resources to draw upon.

Winter - the evergreens of winter can again be drawn upon, as well as the silvers, navys and other colours of this time. If your wedding is celebrated during Christmas you can draw on the reds, golds and greens of this season too.

[RevShirls]

Although the website Cetti gave you is guidelines for wedding flowers, I think it is a fabulous general guide as well for church flowers. I also agree with Cetti and like your attitude. I've seen so many people being put off taking on any tasks in the church because of the vocal, obnoxious minority who like to stand at the sidelines and criticise or are generally discouraging. I think most churches, offices, workplaces etc have a few people like this and they are so destructive. Never let them get you down. All the best with this, woodstock.

[jno]

My my, Christianity is obviously a much more complex religion than I imagined: not only dealing with how to get into heaven, but how to colour-code flowers. Did Jesus have anything specific to say about the codes, apart from blasting fig trees?

[Cetti]

No jno, sadly this has nothing to do with Christianity but rules made by man. Jesus doesn't  care a damn what colour flowers are used in His church - but some vicars and particularly a few church wardens care very much, so until things change this is the way it has to be. It's a real juggling act trying to please everyone - but Woodstock has it sussed!

[Woodstock]

Thanks, everyone for your comments.  I'm new to this site as well as to church flower organising, but you have all helped me practically as well bouyed me up personally.  Very grateful.

[5029]

I used to go to an anglican church, where they have flowers during lent, although they are all removed on good Friday as the church is in mourning