What is in Kelvin's Head?

  • The Marriage Business

    The time has come for Church of England clergy to show us what they are made of.

    The government has decided that the Church of England (and, bizarrely the Church in Wales) is to be banned from opting into the legislation permitting same-sex couples to get married.

    Those who are clergy who are supportive of the right of gay couples to marry really have only one option open to them. They should refuse to do any further legal marriages. No-one can force anyone to solemnise any marriage – a fact which has been much glossed over by the media. Some couples in some circumstances have the right to marry in particular places but not the right to be married by any one person.

    If it is good enough for gay couples to be told to go get a Civil Partnership and then get a blessing from the Church then the same must be true for straight couples – they should go and get a Civil Wedding and have that blessed rather than getting legally married in church.

    There are many clergy who think that the church should get out of the whole legal side of weddings in any case – this may be the start of that.

    Clergy of the Church of England – it is time for you to put a ban on banns. The time is coming for you to stop doing weddings. Once the new legislation is passed, if your denomination cannot or will not opt in then the time has come for you to stand up for what’s right. If you support equality, do something about it and show us what you are made of.

5 responses to “Sermon preached on 8 January 2012”

  1. Mimanifesto – Jaye’s weblog

    […] on Sunday, Fr Chucks celebrated his first Holy Communion and Evensong as a Priest. Provost Kelvin preached a delightfully personal sermon addressed to Chucks in which he drew some parallels between the season of Epiphany and […]

    Reply
  2. DementedBonxie Avatar
    DementedBonxie

    It’s not really so hard to pronounce Chukwuemeka. Divide it into 2 parts: Chukwu / emeka
    You can surely manage ‘chook – woo’
    and ‘ay – may – kah’ (maybe the ‘ay’ should be ‘eh’ ?) Stress on ‘may’ I think.

    Even doing him the honour of saying one or other half of his name would be something! I believe its meaning is ‘God has done something great’ . Chucks seems somewhat undignified by comparison. So we might at least do something decent and make our muscles work a little differently.

    But then, I’m an enthusiast for the idea that the learning to use muscles differently is an important part of a process of getting to appreciate another person & culture.

    All that aside, a fine sermon, thanks.

    Reply
    1. kelvin Avatar
      kelvin

      Thanks DementedBonxie

      I don’t really have trouble with his name – I’ve got used to baptising lots of babies with Igbo names in recent years.

      Chucks is the name that he is happy to go by amongst both Igbo and English speakers.

      We did decide the other night that Bishop Gregor did need to use Chukwuemeka in full at the ordination.

      Reply
  3. Jaye Avatar
    Jaye

    I found both Friday and Sunday very emotional. Occasions like these days affirm my own belief in God. It was wonderful to see Chuks ordained by the Bishop but the huge hug you gave Chuks and your smile as you were doing it said it all for me 🙂 He’s a treasure, and such an amazing addition to our clergy team-truly a God-given gift to us. It just speaks volumes for inclusion, diversity, tolerance, and all those other qualities I feel are so lacking in other denominations ( including the one from which I come).
    I thought your sermon was wonderfully moving and I don’t mind admit to shedding tears as you spoke, and as Fr Chuks gave the blessing at the conclusion of the service, and at Evensong too, but I’m like that over things I really care about in this world.

    I know it’s been a journey requiring patience, application, and negotiation. Thank you Kelvin for your part in making this wonderful thing come to pass.

    Reply
  4. Kimberly Avatar
    Kimberly

    The middle part of the sermon was dedicated, I presume, to Tilly, of blessed memory.

    Reply

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