Liturgical Miss Manners. (catholic tastes).

Protestant pastors in northern Germany now have a new manual, the "Little Liturgical Miss Manners," to guide them in their choices of proper attire, hygiene, and other important matters. Published this summer as a supplement to the Book of Protestant Liturgy, the manual urgently advises against the use of "potent cologne or deodorant" by the presider.

The booklet, issued jointly by the northern German United Evangelical Lutheran Church (VELKD) and the Evangelical Church of the Union, reaffirms the churches' requirement for traditional black robes and the Protestant collar called Beffchen. Until now pastors were free to choose their own footwear, but according to the new rules, "stiletto heels, cowboy boots, sneakers, and sandals are taboo" for liturgical leaders.

In addition, the manual frowns upon "private gestures" such as picking or scratching one's nose or crossing one's legs. Even visibly placing a watch on the lectern during one's homily--popular with some pastors who want to make sure they don't exceed their congregation's expectations for the lengths of their sermons--is now verboten.

According to VELKD Presiding Bishop Hans Christian Knuth, the new guide was necessary because worship is shaped not only by the words, songs, and music, "but also by the conduct and actions of the liturgical leader." (Die Welt, July 2, 2002)