Sanctus1 Service: Maker, Breaker, Keeper
Sanctus1 have a service tonight in Sacred Trinity. Starts at 8pm and is called Maker, Breaker, Keeper - it is a reflection on the relationship that we have with rules, anarchy and freedom.
Unity in Diversity
This week I have being in seminars with two very inspiring Anglican Bishops; Graham Cray speaking about mission shaped church at the network church conference in Sheffield and then with Bishop Peter Selby discussing our relationship with land and our mortgage culture.
Graham Cray was following up the mission shaped church report and the fact that the Anglican church is, as Rowan Williams puts it ‘at a watershed moment’. A time of great opportunity and also a time of crisis; it seems that opportunity is often coupled with crisis.
There were a couple of areas that really stimulated my thinking especially concerning the diversity of the church. Here’s a fascinating quote by Andrew Walls, ‘The church must be diverse because humanity is diverse; it must be one because Christ is one. Christ is human, and open to humanity in all its diversity; the fullness of his humanity takes in all its diverse cultural forms. The Ephesian letter is a celebration of the union of irreconcilable entities, brought about by Christ’s death.’
At a time where it appears that there are ‘irreconcilable entities’ both within the church and outside of the church, the issue is addressed in the book of Ephesians. Whilst agreeing with the theological principle of unity I wander how it will happen. Is unity in diversity about allowing fragmentation within a whole? Is it about enforcing a certain theology? Or is it affirming the diversity under an umbrella organisation? Or is unity in diversity allowing total fragmentation but recognising that we are eschatologically united in Christ.
It appears that within Anglicanism that there is a movement towards recognising a diversity of expressions of church; the network economy. One expression of church must not set itself up above the others as the ‘right’ model of church, controlling the ecclesiology and theology. However there must also be some ‘marks’ of church that guarantee authenticity, preventing syncretism and the potential for cults developing. We need to ensure that all orthodox models of church are affirmed and recognised, whether emerging or established.
I am convinced that the only way we can do this is by being in relationship and hence am pleased that Sanctus1 is in relationship with the wider Anglican communion. This also guarantees our catholicity, it says that we are connected and value the depth of spiritual resources that are in the church catholic.
‘The Ephesian metaphors of the temple and of the body show each of the culture-specific segments as necessary to the body but as incomplete in itself. Only in Christ does completeness, fullness, dwell. None of us can reach Christ’s completeness on our own. We need each other’s vision to correct, enlarge and focus our own; only together are we complete in Christ.’ Walls
Graham Cray was following up the mission shaped church report and the fact that the Anglican church is, as Rowan Williams puts it ‘at a watershed moment’. A time of great opportunity and also a time of crisis; it seems that opportunity is often coupled with crisis.
There were a couple of areas that really stimulated my thinking especially concerning the diversity of the church. Here’s a fascinating quote by Andrew Walls, ‘The church must be diverse because humanity is diverse; it must be one because Christ is one. Christ is human, and open to humanity in all its diversity; the fullness of his humanity takes in all its diverse cultural forms. The Ephesian letter is a celebration of the union of irreconcilable entities, brought about by Christ’s death.’
At a time where it appears that there are ‘irreconcilable entities’ both within the church and outside of the church, the issue is addressed in the book of Ephesians. Whilst agreeing with the theological principle of unity I wander how it will happen. Is unity in diversity about allowing fragmentation within a whole? Is it about enforcing a certain theology? Or is it affirming the diversity under an umbrella organisation? Or is unity in diversity allowing total fragmentation but recognising that we are eschatologically united in Christ.
It appears that within Anglicanism that there is a movement towards recognising a diversity of expressions of church; the network economy. One expression of church must not set itself up above the others as the ‘right’ model of church, controlling the ecclesiology and theology. However there must also be some ‘marks’ of church that guarantee authenticity, preventing syncretism and the potential for cults developing. We need to ensure that all orthodox models of church are affirmed and recognised, whether emerging or established.
I am convinced that the only way we can do this is by being in relationship and hence am pleased that Sanctus1 is in relationship with the wider Anglican communion. This also guarantees our catholicity, it says that we are connected and value the depth of spiritual resources that are in the church catholic.
‘The Ephesian metaphors of the temple and of the body show each of the culture-specific segments as necessary to the body but as incomplete in itself. Only in Christ does completeness, fullness, dwell. None of us can reach Christ’s completeness on our own. We need each other’s vision to correct, enlarge and focus our own; only together are we complete in Christ.’ Walls
Do they know it's Christmas? Do we care...
Being Advent/ Christmas-interested at the moment has lead down all sorts of very odd alleys…
One is that things keep popping up all the time, in my metaphorical peripheral vision, and attracting my attention.
…such as Jo Whiley playing Ash’s Shining Light during the U2 interview yesterday (http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/jowhiley/features/u2_day.shtml). Great (but slightly obvious Advent-related) lyrics…
…and the shockingly bad remake of “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” Great cause, rubbish cover. Nuff said.
But there's a Christmas service in all of this somewhere, don't you think?
Ash – Shining Light
Roman candles that burn in the night
Yeah, you are a shining light
You lit a torch in the infinite
Yeah, you are a shining light
Yeah, you light up my life
You've always been a thorn in their side
But to me you're a shining light
You arrive and the night is alive
We made our connection
A full on chemical reaction
Brought by dark divine intervention
Yeah, you are a shining light
A constellation once seen
Over Royal David's city
An epiphany you burn so pretty
Yeah, you are a shining light
You are a force, you are a constant source
Yeah you are a shining light
Incandescent in the darkest night
Yeah you are shining light
My mortal blood I would sacrifice
For you are a shining light
Sovereign bride of the infinite
Yeah, you are a shining light
Yeah, you light up my life
And these are days you often say
There's nothing that we can't do
Beneath a canopy of stars I'd shed blood for you
The north star in the firmament
You shine the most bright
I've seen you draped in an electric veil
Shrouded in celestial light
One is that things keep popping up all the time, in my metaphorical peripheral vision, and attracting my attention.
…such as Jo Whiley playing Ash’s Shining Light during the U2 interview yesterday (http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/jowhiley/features/u2_day.shtml). Great (but slightly obvious Advent-related) lyrics…
…and the shockingly bad remake of “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” Great cause, rubbish cover. Nuff said.
But there's a Christmas service in all of this somewhere, don't you think?
Ash – Shining Light
Roman candles that burn in the night
Yeah, you are a shining light
You lit a torch in the infinite
Yeah, you are a shining light
Yeah, you light up my life
You've always been a thorn in their side
But to me you're a shining light
You arrive and the night is alive
We made our connection
A full on chemical reaction
Brought by dark divine intervention
Yeah, you are a shining light
A constellation once seen
Over Royal David's city
An epiphany you burn so pretty
Yeah, you are a shining light
You are a force, you are a constant source
Yeah you are a shining light
Incandescent in the darkest night
Yeah you are shining light
My mortal blood I would sacrifice
For you are a shining light
Sovereign bride of the infinite
Yeah, you are a shining light
Yeah, you light up my life
And these are days you often say
There's nothing that we can't do
Beneath a canopy of stars I'd shed blood for you
The north star in the firmament
You shine the most bright
I've seen you draped in an electric veil
Shrouded in celestial light
Night Cafe
I'm really excited by a potential new project that we're in the process of exploring with the Methodists at central hall in the city centre of Manchester. The idea is that Sanctus1 in partnership with one of the ministers at the central hall run a Night Cafe in the city centre. We've got the venue and the city centre management company are being really supportive.
The idea is that every Saturday night between 11pm and 4 am we open the night cafe as a chill out space for people to come into after clubs and pubs. We'd hope to get some artists to produce some art work for the space and also have a DJ offering a chilled out vibe. We'd serve fairly traded teas and coffees, with organic juices and food too.
City Centre Management are keen as it will give people a safe space to wait for a cab, hopefully preventing the agro that people often get into when waiting.
Watch this space and see what happens. We're pulling a team together at the moment so if you'd like to be involved then email me.
The idea is that every Saturday night between 11pm and 4 am we open the night cafe as a chill out space for people to come into after clubs and pubs. We'd hope to get some artists to produce some art work for the space and also have a DJ offering a chilled out vibe. We'd serve fairly traded teas and coffees, with organic juices and food too.
City Centre Management are keen as it will give people a safe space to wait for a cab, hopefully preventing the agro that people often get into when waiting.
Watch this space and see what happens. We're pulling a team together at the moment so if you'd like to be involved then email me.
Edinburgh faces new rival
Intersting article in yesterdays Guardian..
(http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/news/story/0,11711,1346606,00.html
(http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/news/story/0,11711,1346606,00.html
Prayer-fest
So, Manchester has a new listings mag on the block – 8020 magazine to “rival” the longstanding Time-Out second-cousin CityLife (http://www.8020magazine.com/8020php/home.php and http://www.citylife.co.uk/ respectively). But weirdly enough – they both this fortnight have articles on spirituality and prayer.
CityLife’s is a regular column by Flic Everett called “Looking into the God-shaped hole”. Essentially, she bemoans the fact that organised religion is too inflexible, simplistic (“sandal-wearing losers about to strum “Kumbaya” on the banjo”) and that regular people can’t relate. But then she says that “contemporary spiritualities” such as kabbalah, as promoted by celebrities and their spouses, are equally unrealistic for regular Joe Public.
She ends with this: “But what we need more than anything is meaning. … For now, our spiritual void will remain – until we find a religion that promotes kindness, fulfilment and a better world, yet allows us to carry on drinking, screwing, swearing and spending without censure. The nearest we’ve come so far is Live Aid.”
On a slightly more light-hearted note, 8020’s contribution to the debate is a piece on “Fun Places to Pray” which encompasses all sorts of faiths and denominations – Church of God of Prophecy, Seventh Day Adventists, the Baha’i Centre, the Sikh Temple, and the Islamic Youth Association Mosque. But concludes most of the “reviews” with notice that perhaps not many of these were that fun…
CityLife’s is a regular column by Flic Everett called “Looking into the God-shaped hole”. Essentially, she bemoans the fact that organised religion is too inflexible, simplistic (“sandal-wearing losers about to strum “Kumbaya” on the banjo”) and that regular people can’t relate. But then she says that “contemporary spiritualities” such as kabbalah, as promoted by celebrities and their spouses, are equally unrealistic for regular Joe Public.
She ends with this: “But what we need more than anything is meaning. … For now, our spiritual void will remain – until we find a religion that promotes kindness, fulfilment and a better world, yet allows us to carry on drinking, screwing, swearing and spending without censure. The nearest we’ve come so far is Live Aid.”
On a slightly more light-hearted note, 8020’s contribution to the debate is a piece on “Fun Places to Pray” which encompasses all sorts of faiths and denominations – Church of God of Prophecy, Seventh Day Adventists, the Baha’i Centre, the Sikh Temple, and the Islamic Youth Association Mosque. But concludes most of the “reviews” with notice that perhaps not many of these were that fun…
Advent is acoming
Am I the only one who had never heard this story (true or not) about the coded meanings of the song, “The 12 Days of Christmas”?
Apparently, the songs gifts can be linked to hidden meanings for the teaching of faith (some say during the time when Catholicism was banned in England under Cromwell/ the monarchy, but that seems to be a little less true).
The "true love" mentioned in the song doesn't refer to an earthly suitor, it refers to God Himself.
The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person.
The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
The other phrases in the song can be linked as follows:
2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens = the Theological Virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity, the Trinity
4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5 Gold Rings = the Pentateuch, the first Five Books of the Old Testament
6 Geese A-laying = the six days of creation
7 Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments
8 Maids A-milking = the eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords A-leaping = the ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed
Fascinating, whether or not it is true - either about what we appropriate as Christians and then pass on as (pardon the pun) gospel truth, or about what we can find in culture that symbolizes these values to encourage people who are looking for the “great and unsearchable answers” we do not know…
Apparently, the songs gifts can be linked to hidden meanings for the teaching of faith (some say during the time when Catholicism was banned in England under Cromwell/ the monarchy, but that seems to be a little less true).
The "true love" mentioned in the song doesn't refer to an earthly suitor, it refers to God Himself.
The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person.
The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
The other phrases in the song can be linked as follows:
2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens = the Theological Virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity, the Trinity
4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5 Gold Rings = the Pentateuch, the first Five Books of the Old Testament
6 Geese A-laying = the six days of creation
7 Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments
8 Maids A-milking = the eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords A-leaping = the ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed
Fascinating, whether or not it is true - either about what we appropriate as Christians and then pass on as (pardon the pun) gospel truth, or about what we can find in culture that symbolizes these values to encourage people who are looking for the “great and unsearchable answers” we do not know…
Northen Alt. Gathering
We've been organising a Northern Alt. Worship Gathering in Leeds, it will be a place to network, share ideas and plan for the future. If you fancy coming along then it's gonna be on Monday 29th November at 6:30 in a bar in Leeds. Venue TBC. Email me for futher details: benbus@sanctus1.co.uk
Service Images
Last nights service went really well, the basic idea was that we explore the theme of 'All Saints' by looking at some saints and discovering how they can inspire us in a western urban context:
We gathered, had a starting liturgy, then a meditation and then I told the story of St. Christopher. We then had 30 mins to explore 4 different spaces:
Space 1: St Francis - Writing a prayer for peace and then folding it into a UN peace bird
Space 2: St Martin de Poress - The Madonna Video to like a prayer was playing, with a synopsis of the video, before we invited people to venerate the cross of diversity.
Space 3: St Christopher - Journey Space, giving people the opportunity to think about their journey; to reflect on who they have been saints to and who has been a saint to them. Finishing off with a shrine to their personal saint.
Space 4: Contemporary Saints: an exploration into what a sacrificial lifestyle is in an urban setting, using video pieces of the urban and of contemporary saints.
Finally we all came back together for communion:
Great service even if I do say so myself!!
We gathered, had a starting liturgy, then a meditation and then I told the story of St. Christopher. We then had 30 mins to explore 4 different spaces:
Space 1: St Francis - Writing a prayer for peace and then folding it into a UN peace bird
Space 2: St Martin de Poress - The Madonna Video to like a prayer was playing, with a synopsis of the video, before we invited people to venerate the cross of diversity.
Space 3: St Christopher - Journey Space, giving people the opportunity to think about their journey; to reflect on who they have been saints to and who has been a saint to them. Finishing off with a shrine to their personal saint.
Space 4: Contemporary Saints: an exploration into what a sacrificial lifestyle is in an urban setting, using video pieces of the urban and of contemporary saints.
Finally we all came back together for communion:
Great service even if I do say so myself!!
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