(apologies for being a bit behind the time here is finding this post)
Kester writes quite a provocative post here on Christian community.
As the gathering we are seeking to develop ‘community’ so maybe we should discuss this some time over the next few weeks.
Do we gather around an absence?
If not, what or who do we gather around?
I have just enjoyed reading these reflections from ordinands at Durham. They were sent out by Michael as part of their mission studies to be involved in micro-mission around Durham.
some particular comments that have drawn a smile or a tear from me today:
It is very difficult to think of engaging in mission without talking to people, and as they say “spreading the love of God where ever you go..and (only) if necessary use words”.
Our coffee shop-orientated plan seemed a good one in our heads, but once we were seated in Cafe Nero we realised that we didn’t really know what we were doing there.
Coming away from there we resolved that this would not be a smash and grab mission but we would commit to go regularly and engage with whoever the Lord placed across our path.
go read the others as there are some interesting reflections …. and better still what about trying something like this on a regular basis where you are …. you never know what might happen!
Sunday in the cathedral was quite amazing too. The 1030 Eucharist was a good service as it always is with our musicians always seeming to be able to aid our worship magnificently.
During the afternoon in the evensong slot we had a remembrance service for bikers. This was an incredibly moving service as people placed photos of loved ones around a bike on the pulpitum platform. It was also a great time having Loose Cannons, a rock band, play as we processed in as well as singing Sweet Town Alabama during the service. Again this was very moving.
In the evening I led the Taize service. I simply love this service. The simplicity, the repetitive chants, the candles and the music help people to connect with God in a meaningful way. I chose Romans 8:31-39 and Romero’s The Long View which were pondered during the 10 minute blocks of silence. It is the silence in particular that I love in this service.
So … that was the weekend…. pretty varied …. and pretty pioneering for a cathedral too!
I’ve needed a bit of space …
There is a pattern occurring here – when I have lots of things to think about and need ideas to come, blogging seems to take a back seat for a while. I don’t like it when this happens as I use the blog to think aloud in a kind of end of the day Examen type activity … so lack of blogging can mean I am simply immersed in work without giving much time for reflection.
Actually that is pretty much true for the last few days as we have the next gathering on Sunday which happens to be Remembrance Sunday and long before gathering dates were set I had volunteered to do this years Remembrance talks.
So the last few days have been taken up with myself worrying about what to say at both services on Sunday, and in particular the service attended by members of our armed forces. I think I have that straight in my mind now and my talk (I have never had a talk ready 6 days early before!!) is now with a trusted colleague for comment.
So …. I may come back to blogging now as lots of fun things happened over the weekend … although I’m not sure if anyone has planned anything for the gathering yet …. can you let me know please?
Yesterday I took part in quite a unique event. I deaconed at an All Souls Day eucharist at the Rochester Bridge Trust. Not only was the experience unique but the location of the Bridge Chapel was also quite special being built in 1387 as a place for travellers to pray. During the reformation worship in this chapel was stopped and it, sadly, ended up being a storeroom until 1937 when it was restored as a chapel.
I quote from the service booklet regarding the service:
‘The service on All Souls Day 1990 was the first celebration of Holy Communion in the Bridge Chapel since the Reformation., and the annual All Souls Service has now become a continuing tradition commemorating the founders and benefactors of the bridge. The form of mass used daily in the Bridge Chapel during medieval times would have been the Requiem Mass, and today’s Commemoration has been modeled on that service.’
It was an interesting experience and the irony of the situation, while dressed in black vestments and listening to our lay clerks since in latin, of me as a pioneer in this setting this cause me, and a fellow priest sitting in the front row, to smile.
As I listened, however, I was struck by two thoughts. The first was the beauty of the music as the lay clerks sang which was quickly followed up by my thoughts of inaccessibility. By that I mean I could not just listen to the music and words as I do at evensong. To understand the worship I needed to be able to read the translation which felt quite cumbersome. I guess, then, that the reformation and its putting of the ‘the word’ into the vernacular was a good thing!
As I reflect today, however, and especially after a KCME morning in which we were reflecting on worship I was struck again by the need for a rolling reformation outlook as we attempt to worship in a way that engages people in the place they are at. Language, symbols and meaning seem to be constantly changing in our society (e.g. the current meaning of the word ‘sick’ to describe something as ‘excellent’) which I think means if we are to remain relevant then we need to be constantly looking at how we use language and symbolism – God may be the same yesterday, today and tomorrow …. but our understanding grows and our language develops and so we should welcome experimentation and change as surely this is the only way people will be able to have access to their God?
When I do the 8am service on a Sunday, rather than rush home I wander to Wetherspoons and have breakfast before then wandering back for Matins or the Eucharist service. Yesterday morning, there was a group of people in fancy dress at 9am who had started their halloween celebrations quite early. They were quite possibly half cut by the time I got there which means they were drinking before they arrived. As I sat I reflected on how far removed we can be as church from the reality of the lives of those I am seeking to connect with.
What relevance do we have as a faith to connect with those that enjoy partying at 9am in the morning with alcohol? How do we even start to get alongside people in these situations to simply start to understand where they are coming from. I love drinking – but I could not start partying that early. I don’t criticise those that do, I simply want to try and understand how they can manage it and why they do. I guess that a challenge of the whole church as we slowly but surely drift away from the everyday reality of the cultures around us.
In the evening another extremity yet again as I welcomed Churches Together in Medway to the cathedral for the saints Alive service which is essentially a praise party alternative to Halloween and this year we commissioned 13 Street Pastors who will be working in the Rochester High Street areas on a Friday and Saturday night. These are amazing people who deserve your prayers – and they always need more people to get involved so why not get in touch about the next training course! (that’s my recruitment bit as a’member of t’committee!’)
The evening was a good evening. The worship was lively and the songs were well known to the evangelical world. Peter Marchand gave a great talk on unity and challenged the local churches on the reality of having a genuine ‘one church’ outlook which meant not only working together but trusting each other and still working together when we don’t agree on stuff. I could hear some fidgeting as his words were hitting raw nerves of some of those present. I think Peter is a brave man and what he said last night was excellent!
I guess our prayer now is that this sure word from God will filter into the hearts fo the local churches so that we see something happen …. I hope this becomes so!
It was great as well to catch up with some old friends at the end of the service which brought my day of extremities to a good close.
Yesterday I experienced some of the extremities of my role as a pioneer curate, charged with developing a new way of being church, while based at a cathedral which by many is seen as very traditional in its out look and practice.
My Sunday started at 8.00am as it was my turn to preside at the 1662 Book of Common Prayer service of Eucharist. I do find the language of this service quite a challenge to me but there are some parts where God causes me to think. I particularly like the BCP language after we have shared bread and wine which seems to capture more of the mystery and responsibility of the meal than the Common Worship text does.
In the BCP yesterday we read at the end of the service:
Almighty and everliving God, we most heartily thank thee, for that thou dost vouchsafe to feed us, who have duly received these holy mysteries, with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ; and dost assure us thereby of thy favour and goodness towards us; and that we are very members incorporate in the mystical body of thy Son, which is the blessed company of all faithful people; and are also heirs through hope of thy everlasting kingdom, by the merits of the most precious death and passion of thy dear Son.And we most humbly beseech thee , O heavenly Father, so to assist us with thy grace, that we may continue in that holy fellowship, and do all such good works as thou hast prepared for us to walk in; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.
If you have not had a chance to pop into the cathedral and experience Eyes Wide Open yet, then you should get yourself down there this weekend as, sadly, it all comes to an end on Sunday 31st. This is a great exhibition put on with Kent Association of the Blind.
There is something special about having this ‘new’ art on display in an ancient cathedral. It’s a special place and a collection of special art. It’s all free so get yourself there over the next few days.
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The Shiny Headed Prophet 