Exile II

I'm still in placement exile from my home parish and while being so, seem to be getting a bit more organised in respect or Sunday services to attend. However, last Sunday's was a little last minute! We were staying at my parents-in-law and planning to go, on the Sunday, to the 'bigchurchdayout' (see; www.bigchurchdayout.com). However, I discovered that this didn't kick off, so to speak until slightly later in the day.

So, we chose to go to Chichester Cathedral for their 11am Eucharist. I took two children with me. It was also a bit of a reccie as a college friend is being ordained there at the end of June and I wanted to check out some of the practical stuff. It was, as expected, a wonderful service both liturgically and musically; the incense was swung liberally and the choir were on top form. But, as with all these sorts of services,  it was one that lacked congregational 'participation'. It was only during the sermon that I actually sat up.

Now, for those not necessary in the know, Chichester Diocese hasn't been known to fully 'embrace' the ordination of Women to the Priesthood. I wasn't going for any debate or discussion on the subject, but, when during the sermon, the Dean talked of listening to the Spirit, and quoted the following from (Benedictine scholar) Sebastian Moore about how the Church's leaders (and those whom they led) were unable..

‘to cope with the scientific revolution when it came, dithered when Darwin discovered

Evolution, and Freud the unconscious, and now resists the feminist movement and the rethinking

of sexuality. It all goes back to a church that understood God and his Son in

legal terms – God authorising the Son and the Son authorising the Church, rather than in

the Spirit, that got relegated to the role of someone you pray to before taking an exam.’

the rest of the text can be found here: http://www.chichestercathedral.org.uk/dyn/_assets/_pdfs/_folder1/(1)SermonpreachedbytheDeanonTrinitySunday-TheCathedralsFeastofTitleSunday30May2010.pdf

I just didn't expect these things to be said within Chichester Cathedral, but it rang so true that time and time again we seem to get so worked up in what appears to be the language and legality of theology without looking behind it and praying and working through where we believe the Holy Spirit is taking us on our ever changing faith journey. Christianity is now over 2000 years old and, much like we expect children to mature as they grow, so surely God expects and guides the church in change and maturity. There are of course deep rooted questions that do need to be answered and worked through, and there are issues that are guided particularly strongly by scripture. However, we must not forget that when we are considering such matters, first and foremost we do this within a prayerful environment. If we don't, then where is God in our decisions? He is not.

After Eucharist, I took the boys onto thebigchurchdayout (www.bigchurchdayout.com) I wasn't sure what to make of it and must admit to feeling somewhat apprehensive. I wasn't meeting anyone there and the 'tone' of the event was very much evangelical - at the other end of the tradition spectrum to mine. There was a main stage, marquee for the children (with very well organised children's activities), a smaller stage and a tea-tent away from the noise for those who wanted to escape. 

Once I'd orientated myself and felt a little more comfortable, I had a truly wonderful day out. It was a 'big church day out'. The sun shone, there were lots of people and it was a glorious celebration of everything good that is our faith. I experienced some new worship music and was particularly moved by the music of Trent and Tim Hughes. 

The boys had a great time - and the children's activities (organised in to age groups) were fantastic and well organised. An hour of entertainment for them; with some adult participation as well. We weren't able to stay until the end, but left after seeing Tobymac - unfortunately, my desire to be in the main crowd wasn't the boys idea of fun (sound of the speakers resonating on our chests; taking me back to my youth and pop & rock concerts!). 

At the end of the long day, I reflected on what a diversity of worship I had had the privilege of being part of. I was able to worship in both contexts and whilst on one hand I loved the formal liturgy of the cathedral, and still love this form of worship, I was able to worship in an equally later in the day in a much more relaxed, free flowing way. There is a place for all forms of worship as well as a place for a combining of older, traditional liturgy with modern themes, songs, instruments etc etc. We need to take courage in both hands and (as mentioned earlier) in a prayerful environment, take worship out of our (and the established church's) 'comfort' zones and ensure that we enable people today to adequately connect with God. 

Reflections on a week of placement

It's been a week of placement now and important to reflect back on it.

Belvedere is a foreign place to me. It's a strange context, one that I'm not familiar with. Out of my comfort zone. Part of the reason I chose it for my placement. A parish of about 6,000 which 'stretches' about a mile and a half of South-Thames urban sprawl. It's an interesting mix of run-down looking council flats to 20th Century semi-detached housing as well as having a good amount of green, open space.. The census of 2001 doesn't really reflect accurately the population today as there has been a significant immigrant population taking residence since. But it is a multi-ethnic parish. A richness of diversity. 

Looking back on my week, there has been a wide variety of experiences, from the Churches Together meeting, Wednesday experience of a home visit that shocked me (prior blog), a tour of the crematorium, a funeral visit, number of masses and morning and evening prayer.

I have enjoyed immensely the formality of morning and evening prayer in the church. Being next-door to the Vicarage has meant we have popped into the church and said prayer in the Lady Chapel, just the two of us and that has been powerful and important to me - very different from my private devotions that are said at home or work.......also a different format, taking the Catholic rite of prayer. I haven't quite got the hang of where what comes where, but I am sure by the end of next week I'll get the hang of it! 

Yesterday's Sunday Mass was a highlight. I acted as Master of Ceremonies and sat beside Fr. Clive. It's a very different view of the church from behind the altar! It took me back to my days growing up in my parent's parish in Essex. A wonderful cloud of incense filled the church and the ceremony really did move me. I can't comment on my preaching, but this again was a new experience. Not the 15 minutes I am used to, but 6. Adapting for this was difficult and I had a moment of having a re-think on Saturday afternoon. not a good time to think about re-thinking a sermon. I preached on Jesus' commission to Peter and his question of Peter loving him. A very moving passage......one that I could picture happening quite clearly in my mind. People commented very positively after, so I was pleased with that. 

What I reflected on most and talked over with Fr Clive was how I felt the first time I attended Sunday Mass at St Augustine’s. I came here with the family and found the service and connecting with God difficult due to the nature of the liturgy – it went from one thing to another with nothing announced and as a result found it difficult to see how anyone new to the church would be able to connect as well. However, this last Sunday was different. I could see people connecting and entering into the mass with all their heart and soul and the importance of it to them. It was also the first time I had worn my new alb (photos next week)and felt strangely comfortable in it. The first time I had a sense of getting closer to ordination and being ready for it. The waiting is coming to an end.

The congregation is a mix of people from the area - a rich diversity represented. About 130 for mass, so a full church. I know that in speaking with Fr Clive and a few long standing members of his congregation the congregation has grown significantly from when he first came and there is clearly love for both the church and Fr Clive. There is a broad mix of black and white, young and old.....and it is encouraging. The church is certainly not dead in this neck of the woods! Although it has it's challenges, the main one being one of the mix of cultures and how the church 'is' in serving and providing service for the diversity of its congregation. This was discussed at the APCM that followed Mass.

After the APCM there was a bring and share lunch and a chance for me to get to know some of the parishioners better. They were wonderfully welcoming and I enjoyed chatting to a number of people. One conversation struck me of a young family who had been attending for only a couple of years. What was interesting was the articulation of their faith and what it was they liked about St Augustine's; their connection with God there and that in talking about his faith, people assumed he was evangelical.......but St Augustine's couldn't be more Catholic, really! In talking with the people from the church I was humbled as to what had been done here. As well as sampling an interesting mix of food.....including being told, quite firmly that I was to sample a Caribbean speciality of banana fritters........something I had never had before, along with some very spicy rice! I look forward to the goat curry this week (although I suspect the goat won't be as enthusiastic!). 

There was a true community spirit at the lunch and I look forward to continuing to get to know people within the parish over the next couple of weeks.

The rest of Sunday was spent relaxing and reflecting. So....onto another week.