[Part of the WorshipWeb collection “Worth and Dignity of All Bodies.”]
Introduction
This litany and two-part ritual was designed to be included in a worship service on disability justice, but they may also be used in different contexts.
Materials
- Many spoons! There should be one placed on every seat in the sanctuary before the service begins. Those participating online may also be encouraged to have a spoon for themselves.
- A Disability Pride altar at the front or in the middle of the room, in an accessible location. The center of the altar should include a jar of large serving spoons. (See the image for a sample setup.)
- A screen on which to project some questions, or a large flip chart on which to write them.
Script
Ritual, Part I
Worship Leader: Spoon theory was first introduced in 2003 by Christine Miserandino; she used spoons as a metaphor for the physical, emotional, and mental energy required for someone with a disability (in her case, chronic illness) to get through the day. One might start the day with a drawer full of spoons, but even everyday tasks can take one’s spoons away, depleting their energy, until there are no spoons left.
People with a variety of disabilities—physical, sensory, cognitive, illness-related, lifelong, temporary, easily perceived or hidden—report that these are among the things that take away their spoons:
[The following litany can be read by one voice, or by several. As the items are spoken, have volunteers remove spoons from the altar, one at a time, until none remain by the end of the litany.]
- Not getting enough sleep
- Having to pick something up off the floor
- Taking a shower (preparing to be wet)
- Taking my meds
- Having to budget for med, and for medical supplies, and for supplements …
- Putting on compression gear…
- …and then having to wear it all day
- Having to plan for food
- Preparing food
- Monitoring my salt/electrolyte/water/sugar levels all day
- Sitting at a table, listening to other people eat or drink
- Going out
- Staying home
- Signing in to social media
- Watching the news
- Opening the mail
- Having to call Social Services, or Medicaid — ever
- Adjusting to acoustics of new spaces
- Having to request Closed Captions, or visual descriptions, every time
- Reminding people to use the microphone, to speak up, to speak one at a time
- Loud sounds, flashing lights, lots of milling people
- Having to switch gears, contexts, mental trains of thought quickly
- The ground floor/accessible entrance is locked, or blocked
- Buildings with stairs
- Needing to mask, to hide my thoughts and feelings in order to fit in
- Needing to wear a mask
- Needing others to wear a mask
- Needing to listen to others complain about not wanting to wear a mask
- Everyone asking, with sad eyes, how I am doing
- Having to justify my disability or whether I’m disabled “enough”
- People making assumptions about my disability
- Being asked invasive questions
- “What’s wrong with you?”
- “Is that really a need, or just a preference?”
- “Have you tried yoga? (or essential oils, or massage, or acupuncture, or…)”
- “Can’t you just get over it?”
- “Try harder”
- “I have that and it doesn’t bother me that much”
- “You seem normal”
- Being constantly watched and invisible at the same time
Worship Leader: Did you notice how quickly the spoons disappeared? Each of you today received a spoon when you arrived. This morning we will receive reflections from people with a variety of different disabilities, about the barriers they experience, as well as the things they celebrate about themselves. As you take in their words, think about the spoons it takes to navigate belonging. Some of what is shared may resonate with you, other perspectives might challenge you; some you might resist. Notice this as you hold onto your spoon—you will get to use it at the end of worship.
[Continue the service with readings, videos, songs, and poems from a variety of voices from the disabled community. Then, at the end of worship, conclude with Part II of the spoon ritual.]
Ritual, Part II
Worship Leader: We’ve received the wisdom and experience of many voices today, and now we want you to add your voices to the mix. In a moment, if you are comfortable doing so, you'll be asked to find one or two people close to you with whom to share. If you prefer not to share with another person, you are welcome to hold your spoon and reflect on your own. Briefly share with your conversation partner or with yourself:
[Post these questions on the screen or flip chart.]
- What is one thing that you learned today?
- Did you hear anything that you are resisting or that challenged you?
- What commitment are you willing to make?
[Allow about five minutes for discussion, then call people’s attention back.]
Worship Leader: Now that we have reflected on our own or shared with another person, let’s get a show of hands: Who here has felt your understanding deepen? Who here has been challenged? Who here has felt resonance with what has been shared?
At the beginning of the service, we demonstrated through ritual and litany how a person’s spoons—their physical, mental, and emotional energy—can be drained through everyday tasks, encounters, and myriad barriers to belonging. But there is a balm—when we as individuals and as a community deepen in our understanding and in our ongoing commitment to those among us who are disabled, in any and many ways, we are able to give some spoons back—and protect them perhaps from disappearing so quickly in the future.
What commitment are you willing to make?
You have your spoons? Put your commitment into that spoon. During the music, you are invited to come up and place your spoon and your commitment on the altar. If you would like someone to take your spoon up for you, you can ask a neighbor or get our attention and we will come to get your spoon for you.
[Have music playing as congregants bring their spoons forward, and make sure volunteers are available to run spoons for people who want to remain seated. The large serving spoons can also be returned to the jar in the center of the altar during this time. By the end, the altar should be overflowing with spoons.]
[Close the service with words of acknowledgement, chalice extinguishing, benediction, and singing!]