Monthly Archives: November 2022

143
CV Thought for the Day – Advent Sunday by Didymus

Evensong
Readings Isaiah
ch.52, vv1-12 Matt.
ch.24, vv15-28

As
the late and great John Arlott used to say when commentating on test cricket,
in his lovely Hampshire drawl, “Oh dear!
oh dear! oh dear!”, when another wicket was knocked flying.

One
of the glorious things about the Church of England is that there is always a well-meaning
type who proposes something totally out of context, rather strange if not
utterly barmy. Bless them, they really
do make a pedestrian life much more colourful.

The
latest wheeze (how else can one describe
it?) is to set aside the devotions of Advent in favour of a great football
festival being played in the scorching sand of Qatar, on the premise that
England will not have been knocked out, and nobody will come to church. I read an account in the Guardian, and took
it for a joke, strange for an excellent if serious paper. Apparently it wasn’t. And it gets better! I quote from The Guardian:-

In an effort to avoid a potential
clash between the Three Lions and the three kings, the Church of England is
advising vicars to reschedule Christmas carol services due to be held on World Cup final day. The guidance to clergy, under the
heading “Making
the most of the World Cup final”, warns of the possible difficulties
of holding a carol service on Sunday 18 December. The Sunday before Christmas
is a traditional time for afternoon or evening festive services.

With the final due to kick off at
3pm, the C of E says services “could still be possible if you choose the time
carefully … but what if there are penalties?! It may be best to avoid that day
altogether and host a carol service on Saturday 17 instead.” But it adds: “Despite this clash of dates,
football and faith don’t have to be at odds with one another.” Football and the church have a “conjoined
heritage”, it says, as several Premier League clubs “started up as parish
church football teams, set up for the health and wellbeing of those local
communities”. The guidance suggests
ideas for how parish churches could encourage people to “use the World Cup as a
missional tool this Advent and Christmas”.

And so it goes on. While we laugh or growl at extravagant ideas,
wait awhile, for there serious issues involved here, and not just who sings the
solo in the service either.

Actually it focuses attention on a number of uncomfortable facts. Firstly the observance of the most important
event in world history goes over so many heads, despite the belief and teaching
of the church. That is sad.

Qatar? In many ways a hell-hole,
that criminalises homosexuality and discriminates against migrant workers and
women. It is no better than most of its
neighbours in its savage treatment of those who do not comply or obey. Just think of Iran.

Football? The last time we won
was in 1966 when as host nation we had a bye into the last 16. We had a great team, but so did others. It is just a game, but we hope for successes
for the young men playing. As Bill
Shankly, the famous Scottish manager of Liverpool FC once said “Football?
It’s not a matter of life and death: it’s far more important than that!”

Advent is a time of preparation, a time of prayer, a time to retrace the
events of the past, when God came in human form as Jesus, to speak to us, teach
us and lead us through this mortal life to eternal life. Through his Holy Spirit, he invested his Son
with the power to perform miracles. Do
we understand? Of course not – we don’t
have the slightest idea who God is, do we?

The Supreme Being is neither human nor spirit, neither man nor woman,
but a possessor of infinite power and love who is still creating. He communicates with us by drawing us into
belief and prayer, but we know no more than that, however simple or learned we
may be. It was Abram who first realised
that an awareness had been imprinted on his consciousness. That is as far as we know, for in ancient
times there seems to have been an acceptance that there were limits to the
powers of humankind and a greater power existed elsewhere.

So
there we are, the Church triumphant! Got
your rattle and club badges?

Whenever the game is over, spare some time to pray for the populations
of the Gulf, confined by those who should be praying and loving them, women and
men of all types, migrant workers grubbing for a pittance, and the sighing of
the imprisoned.

AMEN

141 CV Thought for the Day – Remembrance Sunday by Didymus

141 CV REMEMBRANCE 131122 – click this link for the illustrated PDF

After a number of years, I have been asked to lead a Remembrance Service at Michaelstow. My prayer list will have to be extended to ask our Lord to wipe away the cobwebs of unfamiliarity and focus on the Fallen. One of my difficulties is that I have only one sermon appropriate for the occasion. Here it is:-

People of my age often have no medals to wear, unless they volunteered for military service. That is because millions have fallen in the struggles to restore a level of peace in this world. A peace in which my peers and I were born, raised and live. The immense debt that we owe to the Fallen is the peace and tranquillity for which they died. If there were a medal acknowledging that debt, it would be worn with great pride and gratitude.

Recently I was watching Act Three in Verdi’s “Macbeth”, when Macbeth became King, having murdered his way to the crown with his wife’s encouragement. At the celebration, he saw the ghost of his friend Banquo, who was killed recently on his orders. Horrified, he twice interrupted his wife’s aria in a mad seizure. Although he was pacified by Lady Macbeth, it seemed that his power so recently gained was already beginning to decay.

I realised once more how the Bard of Avon had brilliantly depicted the rise and fall of the tyrant, and how that terrible cycle of cruelty and domination had been repeated over the centuries. The list is long. Indeed that madness has seized Russia now, a people that has given us so much in both the arts and the sheer size of their past sacrifices in the cause of peace.

It is a great pity that Shakespeare does not appear to be taught in Russia.

Remembering the millions – let’s be honest – whose lives were torn from them, were they military or civil, it is the beginning of John’s 14^th chapter which is appropriate now. It is frequently read at funerals, linking as it does the crippling pain of losing someone dearly loved with the hope of resurrection to the life beyond this one. Both versions are attached.

When one looks at the photo of war graves, the sheer number of dead is numbing. Remember that this is just one of many in most countries. Now we weep at the carnage in Ukraine being uncovered daily.

The cruelty of this wonderful life is that it never stands still. Yes, sometimes we are very glad that life has moved on, that sickness and pain have been overcome. But we are creatures of time, and whatever we might wish or even do, today’s beautiful newly born will be next century’s grandparents. As it might be said, today’s beauty of Creation will be thrown on tomorrow’s bonfire.

As time goes on we look with increasing hope to the promises of our Lord. Religion and its concept of an afterlife was rubbished by Marx as the opium of the masses, and it is true that life after death is the best kept secret, despite the attentions of Madam Arcarty (Blithe Spirit) and her colleagues. To the Christian, there is not so much of a problem, given the Resurrection of Jesus, but it is understandable that our belief is supported with hope.

John’s 14^th chapter tells us plainly and without circumlocution, that Jesus was the human presence of God. “Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?”

There are times when I read scripture and I try to picture the people involved. They were human, emotional, fallible, they laughed and cried as we do. Whenever I hear John 14, and the request from Philip, I imagine that Jesus looked to Heaven, shook his head and clutched his brow. “Philip, Philip, how long have you been with me? Have you not listened? Or understood?”

I would be surprised if Philip didn’t get ribbed about his question at the time, but what a wonderful response it drew from our Lord!

AMEN

New Revised Standard Version

14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. ²In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? ³And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. ⁴And you know the way to the place where I am going.”

⁵Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”

⁶Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ⁷If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

⁸Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”

⁹Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? ¹⁰Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. ¹¹Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, but if you do not, then believe because of the works themselves.

King James Version

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

²In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

³And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

⁴And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

⁵Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?

⁶Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. ⁷If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

⁸Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.

⁹Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? He that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?

¹⁰Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

¹¹Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.

To Pew or not to Pew that is the question.

I am sure that the thorny issue of pews comes up in many many churches for one reason or another and St Andrew’s Redruth is no different – with widely differing views on the subject. Some folk would like to see the church remain full of pews as befits a Victorian building where others would like to remove all of them to make the space more flexible.

It was interesting to turn this photo up from 1945 of the interior when only 18 pews and a lot of chairs which have long since gone.

The great pew debate will differ from church to church because of individual historic significance, how loud the voices are of those passionate about such things and the vision of the Church Wardens and committee members.

The debate raises some questions about the vision of each church about their purpose and how they see how their building will serve future generations.

This image from before the Church was extended in 1930 shows a mixture of chairs and pews. Chairs at the back, at the front and down the central aisle; cramming the folk in!

The argument that the pews are traditional does not quite stack up, unlike chairs, which chosen carefully, can be stacked out of the way!

Whether those pews are of historic importance is quite another matter.

And there is always the vexed question of how long does something need to happen to make it tradition? In terms of liturgical practise probably three times, but with pews….. who knows?

A Couple of Images Showing How St Andrews was Extended in the 1930s.

So St Andrews was extended, the old pews were all pushed forwards and gradually they replaced the chairs so the place was full of pews which at the time catered for the needs of the many folk in the town for whom Sunday worship was a central facet of their lives.

These days a typical Sunday congregation is 30-40 souls who dot themselves around the pews. There are times when the pews are full however, but these are few. For example, very large funerals, Remembrance with all the uniformed organisations (not since covid) and School nativity / carol services. The biggest regular services are Christmas Eve with the Children (about 170-180) and Christmas Midnight Mass (130ish). So those large numbers need to be catered for occasionally and stacking chairs are not cheap!

There is also the nostalgia factor; you know the sort of thing, “yes I know I do not attend services except for funerals, but I do remember that my Granny raised money for that pew and liked to sit there so you can’t get rid of that one!” And…. one must not forget the wondrous tangle of hoops, hurdles and red tape that is the ‘faculty’ which trumps even health and safety and lack of money. “yes we know you need a gate to stop children falling down the granite stairs but it must be a properly designed Victorian looking gate with appropriate hinges and cost ten times as much as the cheap option.” If that is not enough to put people off moving pews out, I don’t know what is!

So why would anyone want to remove pews, either in part or in total?

I have heard the following:

Chairs are more comfortable and easier to move to make a flexible space for multiple activities more suited to the 21st century from Messy Church to Liturgical dance and from Arts Festivals to community groups such as Toddlers and theatre groups. Cafe style church and other ‘new expressions’, discussion groups and training events are all much better unrestricted by serried ranks of heavy pews.

Attempting to make the best use of the pews for the annual arts festival, which draws in the local community. This is a celebration of creativity rather than a market and children from local schools display work as well as taking part in workshops through the week.

The font is at the back so space is needed for baptism parties to take part properly

removing some pews at the front gave room for creative space in family services…

Inspired by a local artist…. not a regular church goer.

The jubilee corgi overlooks a discussion group with empty pews taking up the foreground space.

The St Andrew’s ladies singing group Dhiworth an Gollon (From the Heart) providing background music to the Yskinna Aeriel Dancers working with Local Children…. making the best use of the space available…

Dear Fellow Readers, Readers Emeritus and Esteemed others

Having had a month of resting from Church / Reader things it is time to get things moving again. When I say resting, I still did ZOOM morning prayer each day, attended some meetings for the trial version of the safer recruitment hub, answered copious emails on subjects ranging from the average age of readers to finding volunteers to do the opening worship at synod and from providing face to face basic safeguarding training to what to do when Reader Robes are no longer required…… and my wife got Covid…. Four days after her 4th vaccination.

So…. Need to get rid of anything Theologically based? Try the Clergy Clutter Facebook group…. Clergy Clutter UK | Facebook

Brian writes: “Now that I have retired, I am wondering if anyone could make use of any of my robes. I have two surplices and a cassock + belt. The cassock is an old one , bought in the early 1960s !! and therefore akin to a blanket. Both surplices are Whipple and are size 40. I am 5ft 10ins and weigh 88 kg.”

As I have a stack of theology books that are gathering dust I thought I might try https://www.webuybooks.co.uk/ does anyone have experience of them or any other ideas about what to do with my excess stock?

I still have hopes of compiling a prayer list for Readers and would like your suggestions, however in the absence of a list of names here is a prayer from Joy Gunter.

Creator God. we are made in your image and called into being by your love. We thank you for calling forth men and women to serve your church as Readers. Bless them we pray, with minds and tongues to speak your word of love and sing the song of the heart, that all your people may be encouraged, built up in their faith and helped to reach out in joyful service and witness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.’

The Monday Morning Conversations from 10 to 11 o’clock will continue on Zoom and the room will be open every week but I am only going to promise to be there every second Monday though I may drop into the others. There may be volunteers who will sign up to host the other weeks! I also wonder about resuming some face-to-face open chats initially at the Penventon Hotel in Redruth. Let me know if that appeals! (the link is in the usual email…. or just ask me!)

Safeguarding and safer-recruitment:

I am doing my best to represent you in matters to do with safeguarding at various levels from training, the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel and the National Trial for the Safeguarding hub. When I get a chance, I do voice your concerns and there is general support that influence needs to be brought on the National Team to make the requirements suitable for smaller churches…. And people who have multiple roles.

The Discipline of Prayer:

At the beginning of the Covid Pandemic we began morning prayer on line each day at 9am in Redruth and it is still going! Smallest attendance 3 but usually more than 7. We even have a Reader from another Deanery who leads the service once a fortnight! It certainly does make the discipline of morning prayer much easier anyone is welcome to join us. (even if you don’t want to turn a camera on or speak!)

The Website

www.readers-chaplain.org.uk has a few things in the recent posts column but it would be great to have some other Readers / LLMs contribute a few paragraphs on bits of their ministry they think might inspire others So if you have been on a brilliant training course, set up a new church initiative or read a fantastic theology book…. Please do share!

In the Group Parish of St Germans, we have been meeting monthly at a local hostelry for about 9 years for Pub Theology. This started as a Death Cafe, part of a national and international model of conversation to talk about our own deaths. Initially sometimes there would only be three of us but that was enough for a good conversation and over the years we have had between four and twelve people.

The topics have naturally varied: generic topics such as love, politics, evil, sex and economics. Direct biblical discussions on fruits of the Holy Spirit, strange stories in the Bible (Jonah, the flood, Job, Abraham and Isaac), the Pentateuch (five different meetings!), angels and books of the Bible seldom read (Lamentations, Jude, Leviticus (again!) and Obadiah I recall). Recently we have had Christian Univeralism and how the church should respond to the cost of living crisis.

In lockdown we met on-line fortnightly which was demanding but much appreciated and interestingly increased attendance.

It is easy in church not to actually discuss theological matters and my experience of Pub Theology is that people want to talk about ideas and wrestle with what we believe. It is important to facilitate the meeting so that it is a genuine conversation and all views are respected. The feedback has been good.

Ultimately we need fora to think through what we believe, acknowledging we will not agree on everything. I find thinking through community conversation stimulating, creative and one of the many ways God can reveal the truth we all seek to live.

Richard Laugharne

Reader

St Germans