What is in Kelvin's Head?

  • Congratulations to Isaac Poobalan and St John’s, Aberdeen

    Great blessings upon the Rev Isaac Poobalan and St John’s Church in Aberdeen for the story that has gone global from the Scottish Episcopal Church this week.

    Noticing that the neighbouring mosque did not have enough room and that people were praying outside in the cold, Isaac invited them into the church and made space for them to pray. It is a great good news story and one that made me proud to be an Episcopalian.

    A couple of years ago I was approached by some members of the committee of the local mosque here. Their building was being redone and was out of use for six weeks and they were looking for somewhere to worship for that time. We had quite a good conversation about whether or not they could worship in a church with so many images in it. However, they assured me that was not a problem with them and we discovered a shared story in that of Jibreel and Myriam (which is painted on the wall and known as Gabriel and Mary in St Mary’s). In the end, the mosque committee found somewhere else to use where they could all meet together – St Mary’s was difficult for them because the pews couldn’t be moved.

    However, I willingly offered them space and would have been glad to welcome that community into church.

    I was also pleased to invite a Muslim friend to read from the Qu’ran at our Carol service two years ago.

    It was good to see St John’s Episcopal Church, Aberdeen offer the welcome to the Muslim community that they have done.

    I see from newspaper reports that Isaac is now getting vile abuse written about this story via facebook.

    Sometimes there doesn’t seem much to be proud of in the church. This story made me feel proud to be a Scottish Episcopalian. Isaac and that congregation deserve all our support and encouragement and love.

    Peace and blessings be upon them.

    And upon their new Muslim friends too.

    Further Comment from Scottish Episcopal Bloggers:

    From Kirstin Freeman – http://revk.wordpress.com/2013/03/21/generosity-in-action/

    From John Penman – http://www.dougalthink.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/examples-of-grace.html

    On Beauty from Chaos – http://beautyfromchaos.wordpress.com/2013/03/22/breaking-barriers/

    From Rosemary Hannah – http://rosemaryhannah.wordpress.com/2013/03/22/isaac-poobalan-real-christianity-and-real-islam/

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2 responses to “Not merely patronising”

  1. Grandmère Mimi Avatar
    Grandmère Mimi

    Bravo, bravo, Kelvin!. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve read the text of the Anglican Covenant, and, with each rereading, I like it less. Bishop Matthews does indeed insult all of us who have spent time pouring over the odious document and found it wanting. It is just not Anglican. God bless the Scottish Episcopal Church for its brave stand and firm “No”. I was crushed when the Episcopal Church in the US did not stand with the SEC and vote a resounding “No” at its General Convention.

    Our convention “declined to take a position” on the covenant, but the result has been mischaracterized by the reports out of the ACC meeting as having made a “partial decision”. I can say with full confidence that TEC will never, ever adopt the covenant. I’m just sorry that we did not have the backbone to state that truth firmly by vote at GC.

    Reply
  2. Markus Avatar
    Markus

    Bp Matthews needs to be shown this:
    http://www.archideaconalwhitterings.blogspot.in/2011/10/anglican-covenant-and-experience-of.html

    Obviously she does not have any clear understanding of the Anglican Communion.

    Reply

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