Washing the Feet of Your Spouse
The Brethren Church is seeking stories about footwashing. If you have a powerful story involving footwashing, please email it to communications@brethrenchurch.org
Emily had grown up in the Brethren tradition and had some familiarity with foot washing. David did not grow up in the tradition and was unaware of its practice and symbolism within branches of the Christian community.
Emily had been away from Church for a while, and after experiencing a rough marriage and other life issues, she returned to the Lord and to the Church. David had been through a similar experience in marriage and life hardship. When he began attending the Brethren Church that his mother was a part of, he observed foot washing for the first time. He also observed Emily. They were both experiencing divorce and a renewed commitment to Christ. Because they were of similar age, and similar circumstances, they were drawn to each other. The attraction developed well beyond friendship, however, and in time they were married.
David and Emily celebrated their marriage this past December 22, and because they were so moved by the practice of foot washing in the Church, they chose to wash one another's feet as a sign of their new life of commitment and service to one another during the wedding ceremony. It was a powerful testimony to the gathered witnesses of their wedding, many of whom knew nothing of the practice of foot washing or of the extent of Christ's love and sacrifice for all. It was the only time I witnessed foot washing as part of a wedding practice, and it left an indelible mark on my heart.








