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A Skinny Fairtrade Latte in the Food Court of Life - Page 1018

  • Canine neckwear?

    Today has been an interesting day!  Someone who four years ago really struggled with any of my more creative or meditative approaches to worship made a point of asking if we could have more of the kind of thing we had at this/last week's church meeting (a reflective series of images interspersed with words from songs and scripture in PowerPoint with background instrumental music).  Then he started talking about our pub outreach thing and asked me if I'd wear a dog collar in future because it would help people in the pub to recognise me as who (in role terms) I am.  I said yes, provided I could still wear my jeans!

    It's an interesting one, isn't it - well it is for me anyway.

    Like lots of good Bappies, I went off to college vowing I'd never do dog collars (long since learned never to say never....) but by the time I  left had conceded to 'clerical' for funerals, weddings and hospital visiting.  This goes down fine around here, it is the same as my predecsssor did; indeed, people have commented that they knew/know they are ill if visited by minister in collar.

    I have to be honest and say that my logic for using said 2 inches of white plastic originates in reasons that are far from theological - though like any good theologian I can back-fit theology to it.  The first time I donned a dog collar was for a funeral I was doing jointly with someone who was not an acredited minister of any known denomination, but who used the title reverend and "clericalled."  My not at all holy logic was that in order to be credible, I had better do likewise!  The next time I was 'collared' I was conducting the funeral of a former work colleague, with a congrgeation that consisted mainly of the people I had worked alongside for eleven years, and it was two inches of plastic to hide behind and hopefully convince me and them I knew what I was doing.  It also let the undertakers know who was in charge!

    There is something about this act of dressing up that I find helpful in some situations, so that it isn't just Catriona who goes into them, but a Revd who is called Catriona.  Last summer, someone helpfully suggested to me that for non-church people the dressed up person - even if it's only a minimal two inches of white plastic - can become in some sense a 'type' or an 'icon' for church.  In other words, it isn't just me who benefits from hiding behind the role, rather, and more profoundly, in some way I 'embody' or 'incarnate' church for that moment.  That is quite scary, and probabby means I ought to behave in a more vicar-like manner when so-clad (discuss), but it is also a position of privilege - to be allowed to act in what is essentially a priestly role.

    So there's the rub - if we believe in the priesthood of all believers, however we understand that, why should I be the one who has to dress up when we are in the pub?  And what does it mean if I'm not there?  I understand the representative role Iam being asked to fulfil, and think it probably makes sense.  But, I am then left wondering if I should become like an Anglican and sleep in the thing because I'm not sure I see a difference between being the minister when I'm on church business and being the minister when I'm not.

    On balance, I've decided to give it go and see what happens.  Maybe a girlie vicar in the bar will attract appropriate interest in what we are about?  In due course I'll let you know.

  • To Walk Together, with God, into 2008

    Today we made our covenant together as God's people as we begin another year of mission and ministry.  Because I was a late settler, and because I began work in this fellowship on 1st January (2004) the new calendar year has become a time when we recommit to each other, and to God, for the year ahead.  In some senses this is a tad odd, because our AGM is mid-March, and the church year probably starts then with the appointment of new deacons etc, though our church financial year is calendar and when we used to keep anniversaries the church one was October... confused?  You should be!

    I preached on 1 Chronicles 17 - Nathan's message to David about building a house (dwelling) for God or God building a house (succession) for David.  We focussed on three paired questions....

    • What do we want?  What does God want?
    • What are we hearing?  What is God actually saying?
    • Build a church? or Build the Church?

    In a couple of weeks we have a vision day, to be led by the minister of a church in a similar boat to our own, at which we are seeking to discern what God is saying to us about the future of our fellowship.  To be able to distinguish between what we want - which may be instrinsically good but not right for now - and what God wants - which may be scary and involve risk.  To be able to test out what we are hearing to see if it really is God's voice or just our own ideas.  To build the church with or without a church building.  These are big things to undertake, so it is important that we first have the commitment one to another and to God.

    After the sermon we made our covenant promise, one which has evolved from various sources but says what we need to say...

    In the company of fellow pilgrims, and in the presence of almighty God, we pledge ourselves to work together in mission and ministry for the incoming of the Kingdom of God in this community and beyond.  We know that this will prove challenging and demanding of our time, our talents and our earthly treasures but we also believe that Christ is with us by the power of the Holy Spirit.
     
    Oh glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we have committed ourselves to each other and to you.  So be it.  Let the covenant which we have made here on earth be ratified in heaven, to the glory of your name.  Amen.
     

    As we made our promises, and as we shared bread and wine, I looked out over these people with whom I have been entrusted.  Some of them will need a lot of TLC this year, some face incredible personal challenges, some of them are preparing to lay down roles they've held for more than half my lifetime, some are beginning to gain the confidence to step out into new ventures.  As I looked out, I realised, as I do each year at this point, just how far we've travelled in the last 12 months.

    We ended the service with Estelle White's bouncy pilgrim hymn 'Moses, I know your the man' which for me always seems to speak into our situation (but I only pick about once a year)

    So every day, we're on our way,

    For we're a wandering, travelling race,

    We're the People of God!

     

    Thankfully, I cannot know what 2008 will bring us.  I hope that as a fellowship our general (church) health and cohesion is such that we will be able to fulfil the words of another favourite hymn of mine by Richard Gillard...

     

    I will weep when you are weeping,

    When you laugh I'll laugh with you

    I will share your joy and sorrow

    Till we've seen this journey through

     

    Covenanting is a great tradition, and I think doing it annually is healthy.  It is never easy - but then it shouldn't be - because it demands of us that which Jesus himself demands - that we love and our neighbour.  I left the service with a sense of warmth (though not a Weslyan strange warmth!) and peace - God has brought us safe this far, and God will lead us on.

  • True Hospitality

    This evening - or is it last - I was one of the local clergy persons being wined (or shloered in my case) and dined by the local penties for whom I occasionally preach.  It really was superb hospitality - their annual "church leaders' banquet" is a three course feast with proper, home prepared, gourmet food.

    The evening included a quiz and I'm proud to say that, partnered by the YFC worker, I won it, upholding honour for Baptists everywhere in all four categories.  As the hound that advertises insurance would say, Oh yes!  We were soar away winners by five points, the runners up being the husband of the other Baptist minister partnered with the wife of a vicar!

    I have to confess I still don't know how many times 'euthus' appears in Mark or 'pneuma' in the NT but at least we got the number of appearances of Gabriel correct and knew there are five women in Matthew's genealogy.  A few good guesses in this and other categories (general knowledge and recognisisng sweet wrappers from a picture of one letter) secured our victory.

    Had to smile at one trick question in one of the Bible rounds, which we all got wrong, and which pushed the FIEC man close to telling the quiz organiser he was wrong.

    In which of these chapters of Genesis is the first mention of rain? 1, 2 or 7?

    We all dutifully answered 7 - but the correct anser is 2.... "rain had not yet fallen on the earth"!  Even the FIEC man had a good laugh once it was explained.

    It was a good fun evening, excellent food and pleasant company.  It was true hospitality and so a truly spiritual experience.

  • Here's one of your eight a day...

    I was once told you needed eight hugs a day to survive - so I'm not sure how I've lasted 45 years, but there you go.  I have a feeling virtual/metaphorical ones work at least almost as well as have the advantage of not being misconstrued or abused.

    So here's one for J, J and F and for any others who are feeling bemused, battered and bewildered - or just a little unloved or unlovely.

    huggy.jpg

    From http://asbojesus.wordpress.com/2008/01/11/342/

  • Laughter in the Church Meeting? Shocking!

    Last night's Church Meeting has left me somewhat puzzled.  In a good way mostly, but puzzled none the less.

    We are fortunate that proportionally, our attendance is always good - usually at least 50% of members (we rarely have 'open' meetings unless there's something really major to think through...!).  Knowing the number of people with colds etc, I'd arranged the chairs in a single horseshoe rather than rows, and opted to use a Powerpoint thing with some music, based around Jesus washing his disicples feet, for our opening devotions.

    In some ways there wasn't that much to discuss - more lots of things to report back on.

    As ever, the pastoral news section was the longest section of the meeting.  A lot of people have big stuff to deal with at the moment, and it took a while to get round such of these as people who are willing to share.  It dismays me that we still have to list all the broken fingernails when others face life-hanging/threatening situations but there you go.

    The aspects of church life that excite me - the wonderful Christmas outreach events, the steady but effective mission work and the upcoming Vision Day seemed to evoke minimal response from people, though we did agree to have a 'faith lunch' at the Vision Day which is big time progress for us!  Even the update from the architect over our planning application - due to go in again in a few days, so please pray.... - prompted minimal interest.  The most conversation seemed to arise over the disposal (or not) of our ancient, obsolete and barely functional photocopier which has sat in someone's garage for three years.  Said item will now be auctioned on Ebay and if it does not sell chucked.

    It was a really unspectacular church meeting.  Yet it was filled with funny moments and lots of laughter.  When we closed at 9:15 (a Church meeting under 2 hours - we are well good!) people sat and chatted to each other and I had to chivy them up in the end so I could lock up and return the key.

    I am intrigued by all this.  Suddenly we are being forced to support each other because people have 'pants' things to face.  Suddenly, amidst some real struggles - so much more meaningful than hymn book colours or buildings - we are discovering one of God's most precious gifts - that of laughter.

    It was a somewhat weird Church Meeting.  I struggled with the blank expressions that arose whan people were asked to reflect on Christmas events.  But I am glad that we were able to laugh together - which maybe is a good precursor for the day, which will surely come, when we must also cry together.