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The Chrism
Yesterday it was the Chrism Mass in St Mary’s. This is a service at which clergy gather from all around the diocese. It is, like many a football game, a service of two halves, and I much prefer the second half to the first. In the first half, the clergy are encouraged to renew their…
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Admissions to Communion
One of the most lovely things I’ve done in the week that is past was a teaching mass on Saturday evening which was a way of admitting some younger members of St Mary’s into communion. (Everyone is welcome to receive communion in St Mary’s, but sometimes people need a service where that fact becomes real…
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How to Keep Holy Week
In the past, I’ve found myself blogging about Holy Week after the event. As the services have unfolded, I find myself commenting on what happened and how I’ve felt as they have gone along. It strikes me that it might be helpful to say something about Holy Week in advance for those who are not…
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Papal visit
You know, I’m just not meeting anyone who thinks the pope’s visit later this year is a good idea. In fact, I keep meeting people who think its not a good idea and expressing the view that they would prefer it if he wasn’t coming. I’m not talking the Orange Order or the usual suspects…
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Where I’ve come from
Talking at SCM tonight got me thinking about the various congregations that I’ve been part of. Here is my congregations cv – the list of all the congregations where I’ve belonged in some way: Leeds Central Salvation Army (Interesting video here). Clydebank Salvation Army Leeds Central Salvation Army (again) Mt Zion Free Evangelical Church, Horbury,…
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SCM
Just back from Student Christian Movement. I was their invited speaker tonight. Did the life-story, politics, vocation, usual topic, any questions. Good vegan stew/soup. Good company. Glad to be there.
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Sermon preached on 21 March 2010
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Could I ask you, just for a moment. And I promise you it won’t be for long. Could I ask you to think about something you probably don’t often want to contemplate too much. Could I ask you to think about…
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Recording the resurrection
I’ve to do the strangest thing today. I’ve to record the resurrection ahead of time. We are in the middle of Lent at the moment, which means worship in a lovely subdued mode, preaching of the passion on Sunday and a generally sub fusc mood. Yet I’ve agreed to a recording of a service for…
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News from the States
The news came through last night that the Anglican Communion is to have its second bishop who happens to have a gay partner. Canon Mary Glasspool was elected as a new suffragan bishop in Los Angeles a few months ago. What’s happened since is that the wider American church has had a chance to say…
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E and B
Its a funny thing, Choral Evensong. A few years ago, I would have said it was purely of antiquarian interest. However, I was wrong. Last night was a good example. Glorious music. Quite a diverse aged congregation. A diverse aged choir too. Gorecki’s Totus tuus utterly beguiling us all in its simplicity and sparse beauty.…