Book of Common Prayer

It's been a strange 10 days - one of highs and lows. Plunging the emotional depths as well as rising to as far as I can guess is heaven on earth. Most of which, I can't write about here and in the public domain (nothing sinister, trust me). Those close to me have been part of that and I praise God that I have such supportive family and friends.

Last weekend I was with my friends at STETS in Salisbury where, in the wonderful setting of the Cathedral Close, we had the most beautiful weather. The focus of the weekend was on the youth and young and my group was on the rota to lead evening worship, based on the Book of Common Prayer (BCP). Initially, we thought that actually leading BCP evening prayer would be 'easy'; straight from the book, lifted off the page stuff, not really requiring too much thought. However, as we reflected, exchanged emails and unpacked it, it wasn't going to be so easy. How could we reflect something of the theme of the weekend in Evening Worship which used the rich language of the 17th Century; and language that the young of today certainly don't use.

Lots of people talk of the language of the BCP having it's place - but this talk being used negatively. However, I bet these are the same people that enjoy Shakespeare and the other rich traditions we have that date back. Why on earth shouldn't worship just be about the language of today? So (and I have to come clean here), I turned, as I so often do, to music. What could we do to enjoy the richness of the language but mix it with where we are today? That great juxtaposition of ancient and modern - and ensuring that people were able to reach God in this short act of worship.

I suggested a number of pieces of music to my group. We went through some stuff on my ipod. Listening carefully to words, music and the whole 'ambience' of songs. And these were secular songs, not religious. We then also decided that the place for the hymn would be taken by playing a piece of music. These were the pieces we chose:

1. Before the prayer




2. In place of a hymn



3. After the prayer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skUJ-B6oVDQ



I think it worked well. And I hope those there were able, through both the music and the words to connect with God. The feedback was good. The only negative was that people couldn't make out the words - a bit of a downside, but I don't know how important that is in this context.

My conclusion? I've banked this one - and would very much like to try it with a group of young people and see what we can come up with at some time in the future.


and as a PS: next time I do this, I would also show the videos - they all connect and, in my view, having just watched them make the lyrics even more powerful.

The beauty of the countryside

This weekend I've been down in Salisbury with my fellow students on STETS (Southern Theological Education and Training Scheme) for the last weekend of our first year together. I think to an individual we questioned where the year had gone - one Easter School, 6 residential weekends, a few study days, five modules and assignments and more than 20 tutorials.....time has truly flown! I will write about that more later.

What I really wanted to reflect on was the weekend and the wonderful experience I had at the hands of the community in the Chalke Valley; 13 Parishes with 9 PCC's! Quite a handful. However, I think that we felt (I did, anyway), a real sense of community and togetherness with the people we met who spoke with real pride and positivity of their community and how it had really grown. I am sure there are 'issues' and everyday challenges to be faced, but it seemed that they were able to face them as a community. I was also struck with the true partnership and relationship between the URC Minister and the CofE Team Rector; I think that much of the success of the ministry will be down to this relationship working well.

The valley was truly an area of beauty. It coincided with a new album I bought on Friday by Sarah McLachlan; Ordinary Miracle (not a new album, just one that caught my eye), called Rarities, B-sides and other stuff. Listening to the words of the first track really talked to me; is it a contradiction to refer to an 'ordinary' miracle - not in the words of this song; everyday occurrences that are truly miracles, but things that we consider ordinary and perhaps take for granted. Lyrics below:

It's not that unusual
When everything is beautiful
It's just another
Ordinary miracle today

The sky knows when it's time to snow
Don't need to teach a seed to grow
It's just another
Ordinary miracle today

Life is like a gift, they say
Wrapped up for you everyday
Open up, and find a way
To give some of your own

Isn't remarkable?
Like everytime a raindrop falls
It's just another
Ordinary miracle today

The birds in winter have their fling
And always make it home by spring
It's just another
Ordinary miracle today

When you wake up everyday
Please don't throw your dreams away
Hold them close to your heart
'Cause we are all a part

Of the ordinary miracle

Ordinary miracle

Do you want to see a miracle

It seems so exceptional
That things just turn out after all
It's just another
Ordinary miracle today

The sun comes out and shines some bright
And disappears again at night
It's just another
Ordinary miracle today

It's just another
Ordinary miracle today

Wonderful words that really struck a chord in the light of this weekend. The villages of the Chalke Valley might be living in an 'ordinary miracle' but we mustn't take places like this for granted.

Added later...I've just discovered this song is from the film 'Charlotte's Web'. Link below (if it works):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Urv7tyeJ7qE