What is in Kelvin's Head?

While the shepherds at night were a-watching

19/11/2021

While the shepherds at night were a-watching
Where their flocks in the fields were abiding
Th’angel of the Lord came and stood down beside them
Opened his mouth and then greatly surprised them:
“Shine Jesus shine. Shine Jesus shine”
[Chorus]

Fear not said he for dread had seized them mightily
Minds were troubled, they all worried frightfully
I bring you tidings of gladness eternally
Dance with joy and with me sing supernally…
“Shine Jesus Shine. Shine Jesus Shine.
[Chorus]

Unto you is born now a saviour
Who is Christ the Lord and he made you.
He’s of David’s line, a descendent
Sing now to him for his sign is transcendent:
“Shine Jesus Shine. Shine Jesus Shine.”
[Chorus]

You shall find the heavenly babe there
To human view he looks lovely and very fair
All simply wrapped in bands that are swaddling
Sing to the child in the manger, the Godling:
“Shine Jesus Shine. Shine Jesus Shine”.
[Chorus]

Thus the angel spoke and suddenly
Throngs of angels appeared singing utterly
Beautiful music, their praises lasted long
As they sang forth they repeated the glorious song:
“Shine Jesus Shine. Shine Jesus Shine”
[Chorus]

“Glory be now to God in the highest
Peace to God’s people” they sang without shyness
Unto those upon whom his favour rests
With goodwill, may this song be ever blessed:
“Shine Jesus Shine. Shine Jesus Shine”
[Chorus]

11 responses to “A Form of Benediction for Married Persons”

Rosemary Hannah

13/02/2014

If it is proof reading you have got ‘those who are to be married’ p 13 when the liturgy earlier told us they were married. Same p 15.

As to the situation – plainly it is nuts. I assume it is a softly softly approach designed so that in fifteen years time somebody can say ‘But we have been marrying people in all but name for fifteen years, and nobody has ever objected’ – the not wholly unreasonable belief being that people tend to just-come-round to things. Not wholly unreasonable as this appears to have happened in British society. It takes no account of the difficulties and miseries these fifteen years will cause. Largely because they will not be caused to those formulating the policies, I imagine. And because many of those involved are, in fact, of the generation which has most struggled with the (to me) blindingly obvious that gender is irrelevant to love. That marriage is aobut love, and not gender roles (and women are not subservient in society) (which is what those who actually do believe that marriage is only for the straight all seem to me to believe).

Reply
1. Kelvin
  
  14/02/2014
  
  Thanks Rosemary. That’s exactly the kind of correction I need. I’ve amended the document.
  
  I think the worry about waiting for 15 years before finding that we’ve been doing this all along is that vast numbers of people are presuming the church to be poisonous simply because they hear a public message which is that church isn’t for you if you have decent views about gay people.
  
  Reply
Kelvin

14/02/2014

Anyone wanting to see the Scottish Episcopal Church’s actual marriage liturgy to see how completely and utterly different, oh its so different you wouldn’t believe it, you really won’t be able to comprehend how different, it is from what is posted above can find it here:
http://scotland.anglican.org/index.php/liturgy/liturgy/marriage_liturgy_2007/

Reply
Marnie Barrell

15/02/2014

I’m puzzled by this expression in one of the prayers – never heard the word.
“Together we now handsel them.”

Reply
1. Kelvin Holdsworth
  
  15/02/2014
  
  Check out the notes in the marriage liturgy. It is an old Scots word.
  
  Reply
Rosemary Hannah

15/02/2014

Oh yes, I quite agree it it a poisonous situation. But ‘all’ it causes is slow death. People believe that is inevitable (I do not, but they do) and they can face that. What they cannot face is a row. Others in their faces saying things which they have to reply to.

At least, I assume that is the reason for delay, for the policy of attrition. If anybody can thing of anything else, do tell me.

Handsel – gift or positive good wish given at the start of an enterprise, or at a significant stage upon it, to wish it well upon its way. Scots word.

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Rosemary Hannah

15/02/2014

I am afraid both working for managed decline and the idea that loving somebody of one’s own gender is in any inferior are both ideas which I have no sympathy with or understanding of. We all have out limitations.

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Rosemary Hannah

15/02/2014

‘in any way inferior’ sorry.

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Bro David

18/02/2014

The US or Canada would be a great Honey Moon destination and the happy couple could easily find a number of Anglican parishes in either nation where they could celebrate their wedding nuptials in style!

Reply
1. Kelvin Holdsworth
  
  24/06/2014
  
  The possibility of doing things in style has never been in doubt.
  
  Reply
Alan McManus

26/06/2014

Bro David that’s a welcome suggestion. Also welcome is the offer of a good friend on many of us at St Marys who is a minister of the United Presbyterian Church of America (apologies if not exact title) who is now legally and ecclesiastically empowered to conduct marriages between any two persons and intends to do so here in Scotland. Methinks that all this silly shilly shallying about may come to an end when the powers that be realise that where there’s a calenderfull of nuptials there’s noodles of cash. And what church will say no to a sizeable contribution to the roof or organ fund?

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