What is in Kelvin's Head?

Sunday Afternoon – and relax

What a fantastic morning we had at St Mary’s. A few glum looking protesters stood outside the church bearing hateful banners whilst hundreds streamed into the warmth and light of the morning Eucharist.

In many ways, it was business as normal. A larger crowd than normal, but it was us being who we are at our best – open, inclusive and welcoming.

I’ll be posting more online later. Before I go off and lie down in a darkened, I must say thank you to everyone who has contributed to this weekend. To those who planned and prepared the worship this morning, to those who turned out and sang their hearts out at yesterday’s civil-partnership blessing, to the servers who made everything run smoothly and introduced +Gene to clotted cream and welshcakes, to everyone who has travelled and all who were there – thank you. We are a congregation I’m glad to be part of and a congregation I am proud to lead.

This weekend, we have been exactly who we are.

Comments

13 responses to “Sunday Afternoon – and relax”

  1. gail Avatar
    gail

    You are right, Kelvin – today was essentially S Mary’s in ‘top notch usual mode’. The service, and +Gene’s ministry to us, underlined for me the ‘good bits’ about what the worldwide church can be about – ‘bits’ I think Christ’s disciples would recognize.
    That we are all ‘lame’ in some way, each carrying our own reminders of wrestling with God, and that we have not yet reached our God-given potential, are both affirming and empowering considerations.
    To be reminded that OUR responsibility in the church is to reach out to all and welcome ALL without exception is an ever-present challenge.

    Thank you, +Gene for visiting – Haste Ye Back.

    Reply
  2. ryan Avatar
    ryan

    Very well said, Kelvin. How apt that the rain didn’t dampen the spirits of those inside the Cathedral but did scare off the protesters!

    Reply
  3. Stewart Avatar
    Stewart

    Kelvin – I am looking forward to hearing +Gene’s sermon, and hope that you have extended him an invitation to return again. Next time I hope to be in Glasgow to hear him.

    Reply
  4. Rosemary Avatar
    Rosemary

    It was a very beautiful service, with an excellent atmosphere. +Gene’s sincerity simply shone through and the sermon was excellent, touching and an example of how to turn personal experience into universal experience.

    I think everybody must have been touched at how he put his hurts at our service, for our healing, and at how the worship team at the cathedral put their skills at his service in a simple and gracious, and self forgetful way. It was an example of Christian living from beginning to end.

    Reply
  5. Di Avatar
    Di

    Kelvin – thank you for making this all happen. It was an inspiring and very moving service and one in which I hope we showed +Gene that we are indeed all God’s people.

    Reply
  7. Beth Avatar
    Beth

    This morning’s service was glorious and was made more so by the fact that it didn’t set out to be a ‘special service’, just the same kind of grace and joy that happens in St Mary’s every Sunday. I was glad to experience it today and to hear +Gene’s wonderful sermon.

    Reply
  8. Jimmy Avatar
    Jimmy

    I was handed a tract going into the church by a what must have been a protester, there was a cloud burst at the time so I wasn’t hanging about to find out.
    Finding when I got home that the title of the tract seemed somehow incomplete I added three words, it now reads –
    “The Gay who found the way to St Mary’s.”

    Reply
  9. Caron Avatar
    Caron

    I was there in spirit if not in body this morning – family issues took priority.

    I wish I had been with you and it sounds like you had the most uplifting time.

    C

    Reply
  10. chris Avatar
    chris

    Thanks, Kelvin, for making a great thing happen. It felt like the real Christian community in action.

    Reply

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