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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3 responses to “Shelly Marsh”

  1. liturgybuff Avatar
    liturgybuff

    And the lights!! They look like they fell off the back of a casino.

    Reply
  2. Gary Avatar
    Gary

    I can think of another priest on whom satin high heels look magnificent. But his identity shall remain a secret for now!

    Reply
  3. Kenny Macaulay Avatar
    Kenny Macaulay

    Perhaps not the best week for a comment like that Lay Clerk, although I think I know who you mean, and a couple of others too!

    I was in the next door parish, St Matthew’s Possilpark when St James was being built. As I remember it, there was quite a bit of pressure from The Diocese to be fairly traditional. Remember, many didn’t want to lose their Springburn roots, or traditions. Pressure too to put in stained glass from St Andrew’s by the Green. I remember at the time thinking that I would kill for a building like it, Bernie Inn or not! My wee church had just been condemned by the same Diocesan Architect/Surveyor, who was also advising on Bishopbriggs. St Matthews is still going strong btw!

    Reply

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