• Sunday’s Sermon on Vocations

    Here’s what I said on Sunday about vocations

    [Sorry about the poor audio. We’ve some major problems with the sound system that are going to take some weeks to sort out – however, the Vestry are well aware that Something Needs to be Done].

    The Bishops of the Scottish Episcopal Church have asked the whole church today to reflect on vocations. The idea is that on this Sunday, when the readings tend to reflect on the idea of Jesus as the great shepherd of the flock, we think about the notion of calling. So we must think about how we discern God’s calling and what we might make as an appropriate response.

    I am aware as I begin to open up that subject that we are stepping on sacred ground and must mind where we go. Immense amounts of sadness and disappointment have been the result of vocations, and not exclusively clerical vocations, which the church has not been able to affirm and rejoice in. On the other hand, this is, as the gathering place for the diocese, a place where vocations are delighted in and celebrated in ordination services and in various ways of thanksgiving for lay ministry, including the Ministry Celebrations Service in the summer.

    But I do with caution. And I begin with my own experience. (more…)

3 responses to “Last night’s joy”

  1. Fr. Ron Smith Avatar

    Greetings from New Zealand, St. Michael & All Angels, Christchurch, where we, too, enjoyed the benefits of a con-celebration of the Corpus Christi Feast. Worship of God in the Sacrament of the Mass is certainly the highlight of our life in the City of Quakes. Celebrated in the St. Michael’s School Hall, while the church is being re-decorated, Corpus Christi reminded us of the closeness of Christ our Redeemer among God’s people – whatever the circumstances. Agape!

  2. Zebabee Avatar
    Zebabee

    The way you swing the thurible is interesting. It looks like the basis of a good golf swing.

  3. Steven Avatar
    Steven

    What an absolutely wonderful picture. Joy in light and movement.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Previous Posts

  • Robin Blogging

    Welcome to the blogfest, Robin Marshall, blogging about travelling in a campervan here: http://www.wheel.maniple.co.ukMeanwhile, Freda has a new blog design here: http://www.freda.org.uk 

  • Thomas Becket

    It is worth noting that today is the feast day of Thomas Becket, the Archbishop murdered in Canterbury Cathedral on 29 December 1170.The thing to note is that the major part of what caused such a division between him and the king (Henry II) was over the question of whether the church or the state…

  • Christmas Morning

    It made my Christmas Day to see the Young Church streaming down the road all dressed up in their Nativity gear, all ready to retell the story for the rest of us. Lots and lots of Magi and angels this year. Fewer shepherds, though they did a good job. I spotted one of the angels…

  • Happy Christmas

    Anyone who is looking for a Christmas service to go to is warmly welcome to St Saviour’s. Midnight mass begins at 2300 – mulled wine, carols and communion at midnight. Early service on Christmas Day at 0800. Christmas Day service with carols, children’s nativity etc at 1000. All Welcome.Anyone looking for my Christmas Letter 2005…