What is in Kelvin's Head?

  • Sermon preached on 4 August 2013

    I used to work in a church with murals. Well one mural. It wasn’t this church and it wasn’t these glorious murals. It was somewhere else entirely.

    (By which I mean Edinburgh).

    Throughout the late fifties, the sixties and early seventies, a sustained period of liturgical reform had happened. The altar had been pulled away from the wall. The priest now faced the people. The peace was shared and communion started to happen every Sunday. Those of you who have been around for a bit might remember that story from all kinds of contexts. Those who are new to Episcopal worship might be surprised to learn that how we do things is not in fact as old as the hills at all.

    Anyway, these liturgical reforms in this church had left a big space to fill. Somewhere along the way, the East Window had been bricked up and whitewashed over and now there was a giant wall to fill.

    And, of course, just as we can be sure that someone was heartily trying to encourage the congregation to sing Kum By Yah. so, inevitably, someone got to paint a mural.

    Unlike Gwyneth Leech’s paintings, which surround me here in this church. this was a rather less successful piece. (more…)

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7 responses to “Sermon for Kimberly's Induction”

  1. Martin Ritchie Avatar
    Martin Ritchie

    What a marvellous sermon to have at your induction! Great stuff.

    Reply
  2. Rosemary Avatar
    Rosemary

    It’s a walking account of what happen when sermons get reported by others from memory, isn’t (yes, my blog.) It was a great sermon, Kelvin. I did try to blow my nose quietly – but I had to keep the mascara from running too badly…..

    Reply
  3. revruth Avatar
    revruth

    Great sermon, Fr K. Sorry I missed it.

    Reply
  4. Maureen (McK) Avatar
    Maureen (McK)

    Kelvin, it was a great sermon. Would it be ok if I reproduced it in our church newsletter? The non computer older Dunoon folk would love to see it.

    Reply
  5. Kelvin Avatar
    Kelvin

    No problem Maureen.

    Reply
  6. Zebadee Avatar
    Zebadee

    It certainly was excellent. Many a ‘preacher’ could gain a great deal from studying your sermons. Could you not start a school for sermon givers? I am sure Nigal Robb would approve

    Reply
  7. Elizabeth Avatar
    Elizabeth

    Thank you so much for posting this. I was so sorry to miss it and getting some of it post facto is excellent!

    Reply

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