Gathering and Greeting Procession, with umbrella-bearers, St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church, San Francisco

For a look at what happens when liturgists take over, visit the web site of San Francisco's St. Gregory of Nyssa Church, home of the Dancing Saints Icon, which appears to have drawn some inspiration from Sixties underground cartoonist R. Crumb.

By all means, experience the liturgy slideshow. Tinkling bells from Tibet! Umbrella-bearers garbed like Ottoman eunuchs! And the Tripudium! O, the Tripudium!

A deacon introduces the tripudium dance step -- Three steps forward, one back. The Presider and Deacons lead the congregation, as we each put a hand on the shoulder of the person in front of us, and sing one of the hymns on the insert in the music book. We process to the Altar Table for the Eucharist.

[A] deacon with incense leads a procession of children bearing the gifts of bread and wine from the kitchen, and sets these on the table, sometimes together with their paintings or cut-outs of the day's scripture readings. The two processions join in concentric lines, circling the table to the rhythm of sistrums, thurible bells, drums, and processional cross staves striking the floor.

All this whirring about with Indian umbrellas brings to mind a particular children's classic by Helen Bannerman, a comparison unlikely to have been the boho liturgists' intent.