Communion and kids

The Uniting Church has an 'Open table' policy with communion. I'm not exactly sure what that means other than they don't seem to mind my two children coming along eating the bread and wine (grape juice).

I can remember what I had to go through, a lot at St Pauls in Bendigo 'confirmation class' where you learnt how to cup your hands properly and to say 'Amen' after the sacraments had been delivered. I just went along with it really.

Its interesting watching my two, Johanna calls it the 'Cup and Bread'. Today when Jemima got delivered the bread and the wine she said very meekly 'thank you', it was ver reverent. Her sister did the same. Strangely I had the urge to correct her to tell her to say 'Amen'.

But then I thought, 'thank you' said reverently, honestly with understanding is probably more honouring to God than a word that is parroted without really understanding.

So yes, I let it go the 'amen'.

Leaving Alexandria, by Richard Holloway

 

Leaving Alexandria is the biography of Richard Holloway who was the controversial bishop of Edinburgh.

There was a lot I liked about Richard Holloway probably because I could identify with his story so much. About leaving a places, the disappointments of not fore-filling others and your own expectations. Of the doubts about Christianity and God.

A friend of my wrote on his blog RC theologian, Anthony Padovano:

“A Christian is someone who wants to give his [or her] life seriously for a noble objective. If he [or she] does not wish this, he [or she] is not a Christian. Every human life given generously for a lofty ideal is filled with regret as well as with joy. One of the most difficult things to accept in such a life is our failure to have done with our lives what we longed to accomplish. In a sense, this is the one cross we want least of all, the cross we never expected, the cross which is hardest to bear. Such a cross is all the more painful for those who, in the name of the cross, were once sure their lives would make a great difference”.

I couldn't help think that this fitted well with Holloway, and myself...

Most of the book is about stories of narratives of Holloway's past. I cannot help but read and hear at the same time a rich Scottich brough. I have an uncle who can make a fairly mundaine experience into an on the edge of your seat tale as he weaves words from his mouth. Holloway is a bit like this in his book. I Enjoyed his style.

Coming of age, and ones sexuality is a dominant theme, one complicated with religion. I was surprised by Holloway's honesty with his attraction to both male and female.

There were a number of time I felt the stories fell silent. Maybe to personal...

• The theme of his sexuality came to an abrupt end with his marriage to his wife. In some ways I couldnt help think that it interrupted the flow of the book. I'm sure that marriage dosn't end all sexual issues..
• I could not help wondering how his wife would have reacted to his confessions of homosexual love earlier in his life (Even if it was only thoughts).

I found the final chapters took away from the book. Even though I agreed with Holloway's position I found the religious politics, the power plays all a bit out of context of the book. Even though they are part of Holloway's story.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Gippsland Anglican bishops response to same sex couples...

Gipsland Times had an interesting article about the Gippsland Bishop John McIntyre regarding members of the anglican Church who are gay::

"In my president’s address last year I indicated my commitment to be inclusive and welcoming of same-sex attracted people in our diocese, “confident that God is at work in and through all those who are open to the call of God in their lives and wanting to offer ministry in the life of our churches”.

"I reiterate that commitment to you now. It comes from a long personal journey of life experience; reflection on Scripture in the context of that experience, and reflection on that experience in the light of Scripture.

"It is a simple Biblical truth that has caused me to move to a new place in my understanding of the place of same-sex attracted people in the life of the church. That truth is revealed in the words of Jesus, who says in the Sermon on the Mount, “a bad tree cannot bear good fruit” and “by their fruit you will know them” (Matthew 7.18,20). I have come to know and acknowledge that the fruit of their works makes clear that God has been and is at work in and through gay and lesbian people, who for years have been a part of our church, in both lay and ordained ministries.

It interesting that he has used the words of "inclusive" and "welcoming" of same-sex couples in his diocese. I wonder if this is just the begining of the cracks that are starting to appear in main stream churches?

I also wonder if he would have been brave enough to to have used the words "my commitment to be incluse welcoming and blessing of same-sex attracted people"? It is one thing to be inclusive it is another to support a same sex orientation.



 

Mainstream thoughts

 

One of the biggest read posts on this blog is 'Todd Hunter' Anglicans not for me'. In some ways I'm a bit embarrassed that it gets so many hits, and perplexed why it does. Nevertheless, it is a reflection of what I was thinking while I was still in ministry during my time at the Vineyard. While I do agree with most of my thoughts ( I still don't get the need for vestments) I have some what softened.

Coming from a small and pokey denomination the Vineyard in Australia, there is much that the mainstream has to offer.

• If you are on the fringes of theology, the mainstream will more likely than not have a safe place for you. For example Episcopal's in the USA have quite a broad acceptance of different Christian theologies. I think I'd fit as some of my theologians of the moment eg Phyllis Tickle and Marcus Borg attend Episcopal Churches.
• Really good accountability and practices are across denominations. These practices are enshrined in constitutions, from independent audits, to double counting the tithe. Mind you there are always bad people who are always going to swindle others in any denomination. Its just that main stream procedures make it harder for it to happen and protect people if they follow correct protocol.
• External procedures for complaints grievances and harassment. Which are mandatory to be followed up.
• Social justice without the need/compulsion to convert

So yes there are some real bonuses of mainstream Churches. I would find it very difficult to go to any other independent or small denomination because of this.

 

It what I'd almost call denominational character as opposed to anointing.