"When the Spirit of the Lord is within my heart, I will dance as David danced!" Have you thought, AB, that the Spirit of the Lord took hold of them, and off they went. Hitherto, they were sitting in their pews getting their collection ready having just received communion; and before they knew where they were they were dancing round the altar, up the aisles, jumping on the pews and swinging off the chandeliers, much to the astonishment of the congregation. I am sure at the end of the video, the one said to her friend, "Oh Madge, I don't know what came over me. I don't usually like making an exhibition of myself. I think it must be the communion wine!" Seymour
So why is choreographed liturgical dance "making an exhibition of oneself", while cassock-and-surpliced choristers performing an elaborate anthem isn't?
My objection to this though is twofold. One is that the dance idiom doesn't "say" anything to me or lead me in worship; the other is that simply it's old hat: some churches had this sort of thing back in the mid-70s.
Have a listen to All things Considered on Radio Wales. It makes for very interesting listening. We have the bishop of St Davids tarring male priests as "career priests" and according to the Archbishop, the CiW has a brilliant future ahead! Has he read the Membership and Finance reports of late? Not all interviewees are as enthusiastic, it seems. Celebrating the centenary? More like commiserating it!
The New York video looks innocuous enough - at least, the part which I saw; I switched off before the end - but seemed self-conscious, peripheral to the Eucharistic action and a bit vacuous. And as Baptist Trainfan says, it's hardly new or ground-breaking.
The 2020 Vision video which I hadn't seen and didn't know about - but then I've been in rather limited touch with 'official' Anglicanism for well over two decades - actually struck me as both well-produced and positive. Bits, indeed, seemed sensitive and even inspirational.
But unfortunately, at least to judge from what I pick up uniformly from such contacts as I still have within Welsh Anglicanism, and these extend from St Asaph to Monmouth, the video doesn't coincide with any of the realities of which I hear.
PP. I think it is expected the year of mission will bring a tsunami of new people. Reatity on the ground... I was visiting friends in the Cardiff valleys this past weekend. I passed three former Anglican churches in close succession, closed and two of these villages have a parish church closed former strongholds. One I a nearby town has in recent years had it peel of bells removed and sold to other distant churches. So much for revival. I remember "Celebration 80"at Cardiff Arms Park. That was the herald for growth towards 2020.What happened?
Take one into your local primary, David, and lead a creative act of worship on the theme of pilgrimage. I am sure they would be delighted to receive it and hear you describe the importance of journeying through life with purpose. The Teddy is just a means to help you share your joyful story with the children. Kids love a prop, don't you find?
I find in 2020 that even primary children would be baffled and patronised by the vicar using a stuffed toy as a means of telling them about God. If you want evidence, I have a drawer filled with letters and essays from my local primary school thanking me for assemblies and church visits which tell me they are fascinated by church history, artefacts and what the church actually tries to be and do. Kids love honest reality communicated in their language, don't you find?
If Teddy bears are relevant to the theme of pilgrimage why didn't Caiaphas just take a couple of bags full of them with her to Santiago da Compostela and save the Diocese £100k in the process?
David, that's wonderful. Still take in the Teddy and let them know about the walk you and your colleagues made last year with Bishop June. I am sure they will be inspired to hear how you spent your time whilst away. No doubt the Camino Way was one that impacted upon you spiritually; it does for most who walk it.
Ah PP as our pastoral leaderette knew full well, my MS means I could neither walk the walk or tolerate the heat... I WAS there but as a disabled bystander, embarrassed and a little humiliated. Then again, are ANY disabled clergy helped on their life's pilgrimage any longer? When was the last disabled priest "promoted"?
PP. @Fr David. I have to agree with you. Having a disability myself I can see your point. But what we need to show to those in the Church we may be dis-abled, but with Jesus we are more than a led sometimes even more a led than those who have fully abilities.
"When the Spirit of the Lord is within my heart, I will dance as David danced!" Have you thought, AB, that the Spirit of the Lord took hold of them, and off they went. Hitherto, they were sitting in their pews getting their collection ready having just received communion; and before they knew where they were they were dancing round the altar, up the aisles, jumping on the pews and swinging off the chandeliers, much to the astonishment of the congregation. I am sure at the end of the video, the one said to her friend, "Oh Madge, I don't know what came over me. I don't usually like making an exhibition of myself. I think it must be the communion wine!"
ReplyDeleteSeymour
So why is choreographed liturgical dance "making an exhibition of oneself", while cassock-and-surpliced choristers performing an elaborate anthem isn't?
DeleteMy objection to this though is twofold. One is that the dance idiom doesn't "say" anything to me or lead me in worship; the other is that simply it's old hat: some churches had this sort of thing back in the mid-70s.
AB,
ReplyDeleteHave a listen to All things Considered on Radio Wales. It makes for very interesting listening. We have the bishop of St Davids tarring male priests as "career priests" and according to the Archbishop, the CiW has a brilliant future ahead! Has he read the Membership and Finance reports of late? Not all interviewees are as enthusiastic, it seems. Celebrating the centenary? More like commiserating it!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000d6wy
TheQuietRevolution
The New York video looks innocuous enough - at least, the part which I saw; I switched off before the end - but seemed self-conscious, peripheral to the Eucharistic action and a bit vacuous. And as Baptist Trainfan says, it's hardly new or ground-breaking.
ReplyDeleteThe 2020 Vision video which I hadn't seen and didn't know about - but then I've been in rather limited touch with 'official' Anglicanism for well over two decades - actually struck me as both well-produced and positive. Bits, indeed, seemed sensitive and even inspirational.
But unfortunately, at least to judge from what I pick up uniformly from such contacts as I still have within Welsh Anglicanism, and these extend from St Asaph to Monmouth, the video doesn't coincide with any of the realities of which I hear.
PP. I think it is expected the year of mission will bring a tsunami of new people. Reatity on the ground... I was visiting friends in the Cardiff valleys this past weekend. I passed three former Anglican churches in close succession, closed and two of these villages have a parish church closed former strongholds. One I a nearby town has in recent years had it peel of bells removed and sold to other distant churches. So much for revival.
ReplyDeleteI remember "Celebration 80"at Cardiff Arms Park. That was the herald for growth towards 2020.What happened?
Fear not! Said he,
ReplyDeleteFor June, our 'bish'
Has blessed 60 Teddy Bears .
They'll soon be knocking on your doors
They'll probably come in pairs.
May be sung to many tunes, with apologies to While Shepherds watched.........
In pairs? Anglicans as well as JWs and the very occasional Mormons, then ... I await updates with interest!
ReplyDeleteTeddy bears... I ask you!
ReplyDeleteTake one into your local primary, David, and lead a creative act of worship on the theme of pilgrimage. I am sure they would be delighted to receive it and hear you describe the importance of journeying through life with purpose. The Teddy is just a means to help you share your joyful story with the children. Kids love a prop, don't you find?
DeleteI find in 2020 that even primary children would be baffled and patronised by the vicar using a stuffed toy as a means of telling them about God. If you want evidence, I have a drawer filled with letters and essays from my local primary school thanking me for assemblies and church visits which tell me they are fascinated by church history, artefacts and what the church actually tries to be and do. Kids love honest reality communicated in their language, don't you find?
DeleteIf Teddy bears are relevant to the theme of pilgrimage why didn't Caiaphas just take a couple of bags full of them with her to Santiago da Compostela and save the Diocese £100k in the process?
DeleteDavid, that's wonderful. Still take in the Teddy and let them know about the walk you and your colleagues made last year with Bishop June. I am sure they will be inspired to hear how you spent your time whilst away. No doubt the Camino Way was one that impacted upon you spiritually; it does for most who walk it.
DeleteAh PP as our pastoral leaderette knew full well, my MS means I could neither walk the walk or tolerate the heat... I WAS there but as a disabled bystander, embarrassed and a little humiliated. Then again, are ANY disabled clergy helped on their life's pilgrimage any longer? When was the last disabled priest "promoted"?
DeletePP. @Fr David. I have to agree with you. Having a disability myself I can see your point. But what we need to show to those in the Church we may be dis-abled, but with Jesus we are more than a led sometimes even more a led than those who have fully abilities.
ReplyDeleteI cannot argue with that Anonymous.
ReplyDelete