I know it's not Advent yet, but ...
... I've just seen the ideal Christmas present! Go on, admit it: you want one!
I think Abp Rowan is the better likeness!
These are Christmas Tree decorations, available from York Minster Shop. Just as a note to friends who may be thinking what to buy me - these are not first on my Christmas list! But I'm sure you could think of somebody who would like one!
Labels: Anglican Communion, Church, Fun stuff
On the recent GAFCON statement, this is the response from The Most Rev Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church of the USA.
"Much of the Anglican world must be lamenting the latest emission from GAFCON. Anglicanism has always been broader than some find comfortable. This statement does not represent the end of Anglicanism, merely another chapter in a centuries-old struggle for dominance by those who consider themselves the only true believers. Anglicans will continue to worship God in their churches, serve the hungry and needy in their communities, and build missional relationships with others across the globe, despite the desire of a few leaders to narrow the influence of the gospel. We look forward to the opportunities of the Lambeth Conference for constructive conversation, inspired prayer, and relational encounters."
Labels: Anglican Communion, Church, Ministry
To dwell together in unity
One of the Psalms set for Morning Prayer today in the Church of England is this one. I don't imagine it 's being said throughout the Anglican Communion, but we would all do well to meditate on it, supposing of course that we could suspend our collective sense of irony and shame. Psalm 133Refrain: Mercy and truth are met together,righteousness and peace have kissed each other.Behold how good and pleasant it is •to dwell together in unity.It is like the precious oil upon the head, •running down upon the beard,Even on Aaron’s beard, •running down upon the collar of his clothing.It is like the dew of Hermon •running down upon the hills of Zion.For there the Lord has promised his blessing: •even life for evermore. RRefrain: Mercy and truth are met together,righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
Grant to your people, good Lord, the spirit of unity,that they may dwell together in your love,and so bear to the worldthe ointment of your healing and the dew of your blessing;through Jesus Christ our Lord.Labels: Anglican Communion, Church, Ministry, Theology
The Anglican Way
Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.
Dave Walker sums up where he's at - at present!
I reckon that I can tick 3 out of the 4 boxes - and I
love a
mug of tea. My problem is that I don't know whether I am a post-evangelical or a pre-liberal!
Labels: Anglican Communion, Blogs, Theology
Diversity in Faith
Father Matthew juggles the issues!
Watch him here:
Diversity in Faith
For me, this is mavellously profound!
Labels: Anglican Communion, Theology
A Costly Standard
Canon Mark Harris, an Episcopal Priest in the Diocese of
Delaware, says however that
"the fat is in the fire." He reminds us that the standard is not one set by the Primates, the Lambeth Conference or anyone else ...
The Standard and its costs.He writes [my emphases]:
"Jesus is Lord as a standard makes everybody nervous, and it sure should make the Primates nervous."The Communiqué has many good things in it, and I can only imagine how hard the Primates had to work to cobble something together. But I am sorry to say, I am unmoved by the constant reference to Lambeth 1.10 as 'standard of teaching on human sexuality.' As far as I can tell it says nothing about human sexuality, save to dictate the proper limits of the rubbing together of body parts. I remain unmoved by that as ethics."In a world in which the modus operandi is death and destruction we have every reason to wish that people would form covenants between and among themselves for their common welfare and good, honoring and loving one another in ways that are respectful and supportive, and when possible with sensual delight. I am unmoved by the constant rumble that there is this STANDARD. It sits like a millstone around the necks of all of us." Read the whole piece here.
I state the obvious: we must continue to pray.Labels: Anglican Communion, Theology
An early American response to the Communiqué
I thought
this was a interesting and measured first response to the Communiqué from
Fr Tony Clavier, an Episcopal Priest in West Virginia.
The Primates SpeakAmongst other things, Fr Tony writes:
"The House of Bishops and the Executive Council [of the Episcopal Church of the US] are being given perhaps the most difficult and most important decision in the history of Anglicanism in America. At least the Canadians have now ample warning to prepare themselves to respond to the [world-wide Anglican Communion]."Surely if it is in God's will that gays and lesbians may marry, or bishops in same sex relationships are the thing of the future, we can all wait to see if this revelation becomes apparent more widely across the world before we break ranks with our family and tradition? In the meantime perhaps those on the right can practice good manners and the language of Anglican diplomacy."Do read the whole piece here.
Waiting must be especially difficult for those who feel
marginalised and excluded - but there are those on all "sides" who must be feeling this way.
Labels: Anglican Communion, Theology
Dangerous innovations!
The Primates of the Anglican Communion have concluded their meeting and issued their Communiqué. Because I am "a bear of very little brain" (especially in such matters as these!) I have not begun to digest the text or its implications, but I did notice one particular phrase.Paragraph 10 of the Communiqué speaks of the "two threats to our common life" identified in the Windsor Report - "certain developments in the life and ministry of the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada which challenged the standard of teaching on human sexuality", and "cross-boundary interventions" in the life of those Provinces.It then explains that:"the cross-boundary interventions arose from a deep concern for the welfare of Anglicans in the face of innovation." [My emphasis].That's what got me!
Innovation in the church - whatever next?!We now have official confirmation - at the highest level - that innovation causes deep concern for the welfare of Anglicans!It's probably just me, but I wouldn't have thought that the outbreak of rampant innovation was all that much of a danger in the Anglican Church!One of my favourite events in the life of the Church is when Peter is asked to go to the house of Cornelius the centurion in Acts 10. I am bound to observe that if Peter had not responded positively to God's will for innovation, then there would be no Anglican Communion!Labels: Anglican Communion, Fun stuff, Theology
What is truthiness?!
Here is an
excellent primer from
epiScope on
How to read the UK Press.A
magnificent dissection of what
passes for journalism these days!
Amongst other things, it has introduced me to a
new word:
truthiness nounthe quality of stating facts that you believe or want to be true, rather than stating facts that are known to be true.I will be using it, and its associated adjective
truthy at every possible opportunity!
Thanks to Dylan for bringing this to my attention in her digest of anglicana.Labels: Anglican Communion, Media
Time to Listen
Reading
Father Rick Lord's comments on the Anglican Primates' Meeting, I am reminded that we are
supposed to be listening to each other, and particularly to the experiences of
gay and lesbian Christians.
Rick begins by remarking (my emphases):
"All week long I've been struggling to write a post on this blog about events unfolding at the Anglican Primates Meeting in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. I am encouraged by every attempt the Primates are making to hold the Anglican Communion together and equally discouraged by pronouncements about 'impaired communion' and the astonishingly prideful (in my opinion) walk out of seven primates yesterday from a scheduled Eucharist. I wonder if Jesus envisioned his followers using the Eucharist as a form of protest? I have to agree with Jim Naughton [Director of Communications at the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, DC] who is quoted in an AP release as saying:
'Imagine if every believer, everywhere insisted on knowing the views of every other worshiper in a church on all the hot-button issues of our time before they would agree to go to Eucharist. When you don't attend a Eucharist because you disagree with the views of the people who are attending with you, you make it seem that the Eucharist is about you. It is not about you. It is about God.'
Here on the ground, in the daily grace and grind of the human condition, we are about to begin the season of Lent, a season that calls us to return, to come to grips with the genuine state of affairs within our hearts, to seek forgiveness and reconciliation. We will confront the hard truths of our pride and mortality."
Rick goes on to reflect on the Transfiguration, on who we should
really be listening to, and on what it might mean if we did.
Read his article in full
here.
Thanks to
Kathryn for pointing me to Rick's reflection, and for
her own perspective, as one who has
presided at the Eucharist today.
Rick concludes:
"So I continue to pray for our leaders, our bishops and primates, that they will indeed be enlightened by God's special grace. May they listen to God's beloved Son and recognize him in one another with the eyes of faith and the eyes of love. Pray God, that I can do the same." Labels: Anglican Communion, Church, Theology
Grace - God's pass mark!
As usual,
Dave Walker is hitting ecclesiastical nails squarely on their heads!
His comment on the "Communion Sub-Group" report on The Episcopal Church of the USA reflects a
rather more generous assessment than I fear will be forthcoming from some ...
The full series of cartoons is on
Dave's Cartoon blog herePermalink: http://www.cartoonchurch.com/blog/2007/02/16/the-primates-meeting/Labels: Anglican Communion, Church, Fun stuff, Theology
Please pray for the Anglican Communion
Just to show that I am not
completely obsessed by snubs to a cricketer ...
Here is a wonderful post by
Kathryn urging us to
pray for the Primates of the Anglican Communion, meeting in Tanzania. (Naturally, I had completely missed the typo - but a very appropriate prayer).
Is this shipwreck?Heavenly Father, in your Son Jesus Christ
You reconcile the world to yourself.
Forgive us when our own hurt and anger drowns out your voice.
Forgive us when our divisions distort your image
and hinder the proclamation of your Gospel of freedom for all.
Give us that love that drives out fear
So that we may journey on together
In the unity which is your gift and your will
Through that same Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
Labels: Anglican Communion, Church, Theology
Community
I have had the opportunity to listen to 2 wise Christian leaders in recent weeks –
Archbishop Sentamu and
Rev Graham Carter, current President of the Methodist Conference. Both were inspiring and much of what each said seemed to me to echo the other.
(My reflections on what they said are mine alone – sadly I cannot vouch for the reliability of my memory, so I should emphasise that these are my impressions of what I heard!)
They both touched on the subject of
community, in terms of how we relate to
other Christian denominations and, as Christians, to
other faith groups, whilst remaining true to our own distinctive beliefs. To me, and doubtless to others too, this had resonance for the differing groups within the CofE and the Anglican Communion too!
Graham Carter made the point that unity and community is about
much more than simply going down a statement of faith and
ticking boxes. Both he and Abp Sentamu stressed the importance of
listening to each other with respect, but that those of other faiths did not expect – or want – Christians to abandon our beliefs. We should however
engage in dialogue and
work together wherever we can, as a recognition and reflection of
our common humanity. Both leaders were also very clear that we cannot expect – nor should we claim – to understand God, nor to know the entire truth.
In her blog,
Kathryn has recently reminded me of
Henri Nouwen’s book of reflections,
Bread for the Journey. I have started to use these again – and just the other day there was this reflection on community:
Community, a quality of heart.
The word community has many connotations, some positive, some negative. Community can make us think of a safe togetherness, shared meals, common goals and joyful celebrations. It also can call forth images of sectarian exclusivity, in-group language, self-satisfied isolation, and romantic naiveté. However, community is first of all a quality of the heart. It grows from the spiritual knowledge that we are alive not for ourselves but for one another. Community is the fruit of our capacity to make the interests of others more important than our own (see Philippians 2:4). The question therefore is not “How can we make community?” but “How can we develop and nurture giving hearts?” [Emphases mine]
Are we as a Church – am I as an individual –
exclusive, self-satisfied and isolated? Or are we – am I –
open-hearted, looking outwards, seeing the interests and concerns of others as more important than my own?
May God build in us, and through us, broad, inclusive communities where we can share our humanity in safety, trust and love.
Labels: Anglican Communion, Church, Ministry, Politics, Theology
A Christian Response?
Ekklesia reports the response of
Faithworks leader Revd Malcolm Duncan to the controversy over the
Sexual Orientation Regulations. Mr Duncan argues for a
truly Christian response - ie one which reflects the love of Jesus. He says
"Christians are called to follow Jesus’ example, and he says remarkably little about sexuality in scripture. Rather,
he treats all people he comes across with love and acceptance, and
does not refuse his service to anyone, even if he does not agree with their lifestyle."
He concludes
"The proposed SORs are an opportunity for Christians to
demonstrate the love and grace of Christ. However, vociferous opposition, a lack of constructive dialogue, and threats of civil disobedience mean that
the Church is in danger of sounding homophobic and is doing little to give itself a credible voice."
[My emphases.]The complete report is
here, and Mr Duncan's explanation of his position here.How very refreshing to hear an evangelical voice raised for love and grace, not to mention constructive dialogue. Could it catch on?!
Labels: Anglican Communion, Church, Politics, Theology
Archbishop Rowan, women priests and a good story
I
thought I heard a report on BBC Radio 4 this morning that the
Archbishop of Canterbury was being
equivocal about women's ordination. Well, it turns out
I needn't have worried. Once again I am reminded of the question:
"Why let the truth get in the way of a good story?"Archbishop Rowan says he has been the victim of "
wilful misinterpretation" - it's not entirely clear
by whom. (Text of his press release
here).
To her great credit,
Maggi Dawn never doubted him for a moment - as she reveals
here. She says it's just that he is a
natural academic rather than a natural politician! Sadly our media do not understand (or choose not to understand) people who "say thoughtful things out loud in public".
Even
Ruth Gledhill of The Times was apparently wrongfooted - but she
recovers her footing here. She explains that
"[Archbishop Rowan] is a
victim of his own fairmindedness. What we have here is a fair and lovely man who is a terrible polemecist."
and that
"We should still remind ourselves when coming across such statements that
Dr Williams is a poet.
Balance and
ambiguity are just a few of the devices to which he is drawn by both inclination and practice. "
May we deduce from this that
balance and
fairmindedness are
alien to our modern media? Or am I being unduly polemical?
Labels: Anglican Communion, Media, Theology
Certainty and humility in the Anglican Communion
Here is a very interesting post from the blog of
Father Rick Lord, World of Your Making, which recounts an evening spent with
Abp Rowan and Jane Williams. The Archbishop's comments are illuminating - as you would expect! The
full post is
here I was particularly struck by this:
"[The Archbishop] reminded us that there are those who affirm the authority of Scripture and the Lordship of Christ expressed through Scripture, but who do not share the same certainty as some of their brothers and sisters on the current issues so vigorously debated in the Communion today."
A little
less certainty and a little
more humility would go a long way.
Labels: Anglican Communion, Theology
