Choose your own religion
Apparently the only difference between Christians, Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses is their awareness of how annoying they are....
Merry Christmas
It's that season again... the impending appearence of the relatives, way too much food/drink and snow. OK, maybe not the snow....
Merry christmas!
Normal service will be resumed...
The blog may look odd at the moment, but we're tweaking a few doodahs and flanging a few sprockets.
Normal service will be resumed as soon as the hypergrobbit goes 'ding'. In other words, we're spring blog-cleaning.
Technical blog talk, y'know.
Normal service will be resumed as soon as the hypergrobbit goes 'ding'. In other words, we're spring blog-cleaning.
Technical blog talk, y'know.
Say "Civil Rights"
Once again, the happy snapper may find themselves happily snapped, holding a board with their name and prison number.
Regular readers will know that I occasionally rant about people being stopped and searched or having equipment confiscated by police and (more usually) PCSOs for taking snapshots in the street. Things seem to be getting strange, with cases of people being sttopped and searched for taking photos of St Paul's Cathedral, Christmas lights and a street party in Liverpool.
The reason is Section 44 of the Terrorism Act, which allows police to stop anyone they want in a pre-designated area. These areas are chosen based on their perceived likelihood of being a target for terrorists, and include every railway station in the country. However, the exact list is considered sensitive, and is therefore secret. Brilliant.
Even with these draconian powers, there are still things that police cannot do, although it seems several still try: they cannot confiscate cameras, films, or memory cards, and they cannot require anybody to delete images from their cameras. And, of course, PCSOs do not have any power of arrest, search, or anything else that you or I can't do.
Stay vigilant, and keep taking photos.
Advent calendar
I've just bought an advent calendar from Beyond, a group in Brighton. Last year they had a fantastic advent art installation, with a different display in 24 different beach huts along Brighton beach. As I didn't get to see the installation first hand, I can't wait for the 1st December!
Last post to the Sanctus1 blog
It's my final day working with Sanctus1 and I can think of no better way to start it than posting on this blog. It's interesting how this blog has evolved over the last five years, It basically grew and grew till late 2007 then numbers of people slowed down a bit and now there are 1000 less visitors a month than in 2007. This reflects the shift to facebook, twitter and lack of activity on the blog...
So I'm leaving, it feel strange but thanks for the memories. Sanctus1 has been a great place for me, a place where my faith has grown and be challenged. Thanks for the laughter an the intimacy - I'll miss Sanctus. There have been challenges, nights that I have been kept awake worring about sanctus and people within sanctus, times when I've wondered if we'll still be going in six months time, times where I've come home and cried due to the hurts that people have shared with me - thank you for sharing them.
But I know its the right time to move on, new things beckon, and you're in the very capable hands of Al. You can keep up with me on my blog: benedson.co.uk, if you've been emailing me on ben@sanctus1.co.uk then you'll have to email me in the next 24hrs to get my new email address or look on my blog!
Thank you for the days...ok time to kill this google account.
So I'm leaving, it feel strange but thanks for the memories. Sanctus1 has been a great place for me, a place where my faith has grown and be challenged. Thanks for the laughter an the intimacy - I'll miss Sanctus. There have been challenges, nights that I have been kept awake worring about sanctus and people within sanctus, times when I've wondered if we'll still be going in six months time, times where I've come home and cried due to the hurts that people have shared with me - thank you for sharing them.
But I know its the right time to move on, new things beckon, and you're in the very capable hands of Al. You can keep up with me on my blog: benedson.co.uk, if you've been emailing me on ben@sanctus1.co.uk then you'll have to email me in the next 24hrs to get my new email address or look on my blog!
Thank you for the days...ok time to kill this google account.
Latest Sanctus1 enews
Here is the latest Sanctus1 e-news. If you want to sign up to receive the quarterlyish updates then do so by clicking here.
Last train to Oldham
On Saturday 3rd October, the last train will run from Manchester to Rochdale via Oldham, on the "Oldham loop".
This is to pave the way for it's rebirth as the Rochdale branch of Metrolink, in 2012. Hooray for the Metrolink. What a shame we have to sacrifice yet another railway line to feed this behemoth. If the Altrincham service is anything to go by, the good folk of Rochdale will (in three years time) have the choice of a train to Manchester, or a bumpier*, more expensive tram ride. The denziens of Oldham won't get that choice.
Heaven forbid that we should convert a road into a tramline.
* Light rail tracks require less maintenance than mainline tracks, hence the bumpier ride on the tram.
Labyrinths
Labyrinths are quite a cool way of taking time out, giving you time to reflect, prayer, meditate as you move around the space. Manchester monastery has recently had a huge refurbishment and ongoing plans include a labyrinth installed into the floor of the main space. In the meantime they regularly have a temporary labyrinth in the space, which a couple of us walked around today.
It's great to see that such an amazing building is being used as a centre for the community and exploration of a range of spiritual ideas and expressions - and you can even rent the space for parties!
It's great to see that such an amazing building is being used as a centre for the community and exploration of a range of spiritual ideas and expressions - and you can even rent the space for parties!
Post Greenbelt Social
Tonight's Sanctus is our traditional post-greenbelt gathering. We'll simply be going to the pub to catch up with one another, we'll meet at Nexus at 19:30 before going onto Bar Fringe for about 8:00.
Sanctus1 at Greenbelt09
Sanctus1 will be leading two service at Greenbelt this year.
The first one is on Sunday at 19:00 in New Forms and called 'The Infinite Service - Part 0031, The second one is in The Shelter in the Youth Area at 11:00 on Monday and called 'The infinite Service - Part 8563. Here is what the programme will say about them:
A service that revolves at nine hundred miles an hour, orbits at nineteen miles a second and is three thousand light years wide. Come early – limited to 6.5 billion participants.
We'll be camping in our usual place, so come and find us!!
The first one is on Sunday at 19:00 in New Forms and called 'The Infinite Service - Part 0031, The second one is in The Shelter in the Youth Area at 11:00 on Monday and called 'The infinite Service - Part 8563. Here is what the programme will say about them:
A service that revolves at nine hundred miles an hour, orbits at nineteen miles a second and is three thousand light years wide. Come early – limited to 6.5 billion participants.
We'll be camping in our usual place, so come and find us!!
Through the pilgrim door
The rather lovely and excellent Michael Volland has shared his and feig's journey over the last few years in a book, published just as he's left to move on to Durham. (see his new blog through the link above)
I bet there'll be copies at GB on the book stand, or via Amazon...
It's my God in a box
"A God box is an object of intense beauty used for manifesting goodness in your life....
"You can adorn it with faux finishes, faux lapis, strings soaked in glue, making loops, like spaghetti rococco, then paint it, varnish it, maybe gluing on many sparkling, faux jewels or pearls."
Faux fish? No, thanks - when I make mine, I'm using real fish.
As Judith says on this website: "My God box calls to me. My God box is ever ready to receive my needs. If I forget to ask for miracles, it wonders why I don't use it more often.
"It patiently awaits my heart vibrations”.
Here's how you can make your God box.
"You can adorn it with faux finishes, faux lapis, strings soaked in glue, making loops, like spaghetti rococco, then paint it, varnish it, maybe gluing on many sparkling, faux jewels or pearls."
Faux fish? No, thanks - when I make mine, I'm using real fish.
As Judith says on this website: "My God box calls to me. My God box is ever ready to receive my needs. If I forget to ask for miracles, it wonders why I don't use it more often.
"It patiently awaits my heart vibrations”.
Here's how you can make your God box.
GB weather
Well it looks like the GB weather's going to be pretty memorable!!
http://metcheck.com/V40/UK/FREE/event_forecast.asp?eventID=697
http://metcheck.com/V40/UK/FREE/event_forecast.asp?eventID=697
Manchester Notions 2
Laura and Mancubist picked up the previous spoof by Manchester Notions, well it seems that there are more out there. I picked up this flyer yesterday.
In case you're not from Mcr, they're subverting the best of Manchester awards and remain anonymous. I think they're Christian, they've certainly got a faith angle on them, but they'e not overt and in many ways develop the worship in public spaces theme that we've seen in mant places across the country. However, the anonymity of them something extra...but I think I know who it is!!!
The text on the back reads:
'Our times call for more that the superficial. We need earth rawness that smells so nourishing even a glance of it straightens our back and lifts our chin. Rise up, speak truth - speak life to each other. Big up the one who competes with you. Work hard for your boss even if he is unfair. For it is God that loves your life, he whop wants your best. If advertising is based on the premise of inadequacy, how can this city's children grow! Times call not for self but selfless - where freedom and joy aew found. The origin of inspiration is 'God breathed' so rise up - pray a song, create, search truth, integritu and boldness - be inspired. Your talent is admired by the one who gave it. Gossip goodness to all - be wondered by simple things and happiness will follow you.
In case you're not from Mcr, they're subverting the best of Manchester awards and remain anonymous. I think they're Christian, they've certainly got a faith angle on them, but they'e not overt and in many ways develop the worship in public spaces theme that we've seen in mant places across the country. However, the anonymity of them something extra...but I think I know who it is!!!
The text on the back reads:
'Our times call for more that the superficial. We need earth rawness that smells so nourishing even a glance of it straightens our back and lifts our chin. Rise up, speak truth - speak life to each other. Big up the one who competes with you. Work hard for your boss even if he is unfair. For it is God that loves your life, he whop wants your best. If advertising is based on the premise of inadequacy, how can this city's children grow! Times call not for self but selfless - where freedom and joy aew found. The origin of inspiration is 'God breathed' so rise up - pray a song, create, search truth, integritu and boldness - be inspired. Your talent is admired by the one who gave it. Gossip goodness to all - be wondered by simple things and happiness will follow you.
Anglican mainstream and Greenbelt
Anglican Mainstream the uber conservative pressure group is out to get Greenbelt! Have alook at their post and tell us what you think...http://www.anglican-mainstream.net/?p=12825
Rock star physicist
Insert generic God-as-scientist argument here. Anyhoo, the event is tomorrow (Tuesday) and full details are at http://www.coxforshaw.blogspot.com/.
For fact fiends:
- Brian Cox was in the band D:Ream: his last appearance with them was at the 1997 Labour party conference.
- QI host and professional genius Stephen Fry "can think of no one, Stephen Hawking included, who more perfectly combines authority, knowledge, passion, clarity and powers of elucidation than Brian Cox."
- Brian Cox has amazing hair.
The event also features Jeff Forshaw, who is one of the youngest professors in the UK. I had to mention Jeff, as it seems Brian is nabbing all the publicity, being a pop star physicist and all that!
Re-Use
Over the next few months in Sanctus we thought that it'd be good to do a bit of recycling! Sanctus is a fairly transient community of people and so there are many services that the current community has never experienced. So we thought that we'd look through our back-cataloge and re-use some! The service will be looked at, tweeked and redelivered by today's community.
But we have so many to choose from! So look through the list and see if there is one that tickles your fancy and help make it happen again...
1. Dekhomi - The Welcoming Place - A service exploring God's welcome
2. A Time for Everything - A Service based on Ecclesiastes
3. 3 - The Trinity
4. 40 - Lent
5. Chance - Randomness of Faith
6. Covenant - God's promises to us
7. Credo – A service exploring belief
8. Detox – Detoxing our lives
9. Discipleship - What does it mean to follow Jesus?
10.Elemental – Fire
11.Elemental – Water
12.Going Higher – Ascension
13.High on Hope
14.Identity
15.Life Giver – Service on Mary
16.Magic Number
17.Mirror Mirror - Reflections on God
18.Pilgrimage
19.Prophetic Politics
20.Sanctum - First ever S1 service!
21.Soteriology - Understanding Salvation
22.Urban Faith
23.Urban Harvest
24.Welcome Home? The Prodigal Son
25.World Service
26.The Man in Black - Service based on Jonny Cash
27.No Place like Home - Service around alice in wonderland
28.Solstice – Midsummer service
29.Gift
30.Sancduko
31.Sanctus Speed dating
And add any more that I've not included...
But we have so many to choose from! So look through the list and see if there is one that tickles your fancy and help make it happen again...
1. Dekhomi - The Welcoming Place - A service exploring God's welcome
2. A Time for Everything - A Service based on Ecclesiastes
3. 3 - The Trinity
4. 40 - Lent
5. Chance - Randomness of Faith
6. Covenant - God's promises to us
7. Credo – A service exploring belief
8. Detox – Detoxing our lives
9. Discipleship - What does it mean to follow Jesus?
10.Elemental – Fire
11.Elemental – Water
12.Going Higher – Ascension
13.High on Hope
14.Identity
15.Life Giver – Service on Mary
16.Magic Number
17.Mirror Mirror - Reflections on God
18.Pilgrimage
19.Prophetic Politics
20.Sanctum - First ever S1 service!
21.Soteriology - Understanding Salvation
22.Urban Faith
23.Urban Harvest
24.Welcome Home? The Prodigal Son
25.World Service
26.The Man in Black - Service based on Jonny Cash
27.No Place like Home - Service around alice in wonderland
28.Solstice – Midsummer service
29.Gift
30.Sancduko
31.Sanctus Speed dating
And add any more that I've not included...
Walking on...
Neat web site that a mate directed me to last night - Walk It, the urban walking route planner.
For 14 cities/ towns in the UK, you can enter two postcodes or locations and it'll calculate the shortest/ quickest (or "less busy" if you select) route to walk from and to, as well as telling you the carbon saving.
Get walking!
For 14 cities/ towns in the UK, you can enter two postcodes or locations and it'll calculate the shortest/ quickest (or "less busy" if you select) route to walk from and to, as well as telling you the carbon saving.
Get walking!
Sacred Trinity in the ManCon spotlight
Nice piece by Manchester Confidential about Sacred Trinity and the "Very Cool Rev" (TM) Andy Salmon...
Stunned silence | Not in my name
It's been oh so quiet round here.
And now I'm not sure what there is to say, other than I know we have to take seriously the need to engage with those who did vote BNP. It's too easy to judge and demonise them. At least they bothered to use their vote; obviously I'd really rather they'd not used it to vote for the BNP, but that's where the serious and sustained engagement is needed.
In the meantime, those of having to live under Nick Griffin's "representation", can at least say (with Hope Not Hate) not in my name.
And now I'm not sure what there is to say, other than I know we have to take seriously the need to engage with those who did vote BNP. It's too easy to judge and demonise them. At least they bothered to use their vote; obviously I'd really rather they'd not used it to vote for the BNP, but that's where the serious and sustained engagement is needed.
In the meantime, those of having to live under Nick Griffin's "representation", can at least say (with Hope Not Hate) not in my name.
Manchester 10K
A group from Sanctus1 took part in the Great Manchester 10k run today to raise money for Christian Aid. We had a range of times - and a range of dampness as some of us were only half-way through when we were subjected to 40 minutes of Manchester's finest hardcore rain - but I think everyone felt a real sense of achievement, both for completing it in one piece and for raising the money. Well done team! Same again next year?
M.E.P. and Total Denial
The award winning film Total Denial (www.totaldenialfilm.com) is being shown on Tuesday 19 May, 7-9.30pm at AMC Cinema, 253 Deansgate. It is followed by the chance to question MEP candidates ahead of June’s European elections about corporate accountability and climate change
Total Denial is the story of a historic lawsuit - fifteen villagers from the jungles of Burma bringing their case against a giant oil corporation concerning the abuse of human-rights in a story of the struggle for justice.
Come and support their inspiring example, find out what you can do, and question your potential MEPs on how they will work for justice around the world.
Please book by emailing totaldenialfilm@gmail.com
Total Denial is the story of a historic lawsuit - fifteen villagers from the jungles of Burma bringing their case against a giant oil corporation concerning the abuse of human-rights in a story of the struggle for justice.
Come and support their inspiring example, find out what you can do, and question your potential MEPs on how they will work for justice around the world.
Please book by emailing totaldenialfilm@gmail.com
The TED commandments
If you've never seen a TED video, you've been missing out big time! Put down the remote control, and go to http://www.ted.com/ to watch some of the most inspiring and engaging presentations you will ever see.
Apparently, each TED speaker gets sent a tablet of stone with the following 10 presentation guidelines engraved on it. There has to be a Sanctus equivalent surely, or at the very least a carcking service idea in here?
1. Thou Shalt Not Simply Trot Out thy Usual Shtick.
2. Thou Shalt Dream a Great Dream, or Show Forth a Wondrous New Thing, Or Share Something Thou Hast Never Shared Before.
3. Thou Shalt Reveal thy Curiosity and Thy Passion.
4. Thou Shalt Tell a Story.
5. Thou Shalt Freely Comment on the Utterances of Other Speakers forthe Sake of Blessed Connection and Exquisite Controversy.
6. Thou Shalt Not Flaunt thine Ego. Be Thou Vulnerable. Speak of thyFailure as well as thy Success.
7. Thou Shalt Not Sell from the Stage: Neither thy Company, thy Goods, thy Writings, nor thy Desperate need for Funding; Lest Thou be Cast Aside into Outer Darkness.
8. Thou Shalt Remember all the while: Laughter is Good.
9. Thou Shalt Not Read thy Speech.
10. Thou Shalt Not Steal the Time of Them that Follow Thee.
Apparently, each TED speaker gets sent a tablet of stone with the following 10 presentation guidelines engraved on it. There has to be a Sanctus equivalent surely, or at the very least a carcking service idea in here?
1. Thou Shalt Not Simply Trot Out thy Usual Shtick.
2. Thou Shalt Dream a Great Dream, or Show Forth a Wondrous New Thing, Or Share Something Thou Hast Never Shared Before.
3. Thou Shalt Reveal thy Curiosity and Thy Passion.
4. Thou Shalt Tell a Story.
5. Thou Shalt Freely Comment on the Utterances of Other Speakers forthe Sake of Blessed Connection and Exquisite Controversy.
6. Thou Shalt Not Flaunt thine Ego. Be Thou Vulnerable. Speak of thyFailure as well as thy Success.
7. Thou Shalt Not Sell from the Stage: Neither thy Company, thy Goods, thy Writings, nor thy Desperate need for Funding; Lest Thou be Cast Aside into Outer Darkness.
8. Thou Shalt Remember all the while: Laughter is Good.
9. Thou Shalt Not Read thy Speech.
10. Thou Shalt Not Steal the Time of Them that Follow Thee.
Hooray!
Looks like Manchester's going to get new and improved public transport despite saying no to the congestion charge. Everyone's a winner!
The Movie Mass
Tonight in Sanctus1 the service is called 'The Movie Mass'.
The service will be almost entirely led by film clips with different films leading us through different stages of the service. There will be a a film led call to worship, confession and absolution, reflection on 'the word', time of sharing bread and wine, prayers and finally a blessing...
Join us tonight at 7:30 for Coffee and 7:45 to start in Nexus.
The service will be almost entirely led by film clips with different films leading us through different stages of the service. There will be a a film led call to worship, confession and absolution, reflection on 'the word', time of sharing bread and wine, prayers and finally a blessing...
Join us tonight at 7:30 for Coffee and 7:45 to start in Nexus.
Transfigurations' with Peterson Toscano.
I just got an email telling me about this event - sounds fascinating, any going to go?
Transfigurations', with Peterson Toscano.
Tuesday 19 May 2009 8pm.
Taurus Bar, 1 Canal Street, Manchester, M1 3HE
Tickets £5 (+£0.95 booking fee per order) or phone 0870 428 0785.
Trans Bible Characters??? You betcha!
In this one-person play, theatrical performance activist Peterson Toscano unearths transgender Bible characters, those people who do not fit in the gender binary, and who in transgressing and transcending gender, find themselves at the centre of some of the Bible's most important stories. After the interval, Peterson will share excerpts from other plays including The Re-Education of George W. Bush, Queer 101-Now I Know my gAy,B,Cs, and Doin' Time in the Homo No Mo Halfway House.With stories from the road, new material, and always a few surprises, Peterson shares his own story of trying to 'de-gay' himself and the process he took to integrate his sexuality with all parts of his life.
Peterson Toscano is a gay US-based theatrical performance activist and comic actor who travels internationally with original one-person shows that address transgender, bisexual, lesbian, gay and queer concerns as well as issues of race, gender, environment and faith. He spoke at the 2008 Lambeth Conference and has been featured in the Times, BBC World Service, the New Statesman, The New York Times, People Magazine, Logo Channel, PBS and the Tyra Banks Show.
Transfigurations', with Peterson Toscano.
Tuesday 19 May 2009 8pm.
Taurus Bar, 1 Canal Street, Manchester, M1 3HE
Tickets £5 (+£0.95 booking fee per order) or phone 0870 428 0785.
Trans Bible Characters??? You betcha!
In this one-person play, theatrical performance activist Peterson Toscano unearths transgender Bible characters, those people who do not fit in the gender binary, and who in transgressing and transcending gender, find themselves at the centre of some of the Bible's most important stories. After the interval, Peterson will share excerpts from other plays including The Re-Education of George W. Bush, Queer 101-Now I Know my gAy,B,Cs, and Doin' Time in the Homo No Mo Halfway House.With stories from the road, new material, and always a few surprises, Peterson shares his own story of trying to 'de-gay' himself and the process he took to integrate his sexuality with all parts of his life.
Peterson Toscano is a gay US-based theatrical performance activist and comic actor who travels internationally with original one-person shows that address transgender, bisexual, lesbian, gay and queer concerns as well as issues of race, gender, environment and faith. He spoke at the 2008 Lambeth Conference and has been featured in the Times, BBC World Service, the New Statesman, The New York Times, People Magazine, Logo Channel, PBS and the Tyra Banks Show.
The F word
On the spot on Wednesday night, our group named a few female icons and inspiring women...
It's amazing what your brain mulling something over, and the input of a few mates, can do in 36 hours, isn't it?
Abigail Witchells
Amelia Earheart
Ang San Su Chi
Angela Merkell
Anita Roddick
Ann Begg
Annie Oakley
Billie Holiday
Boadicea
Camilla Batmanghelidjh
Charlotte Bronte
Debbi Harry
Delia Smith
Dorothy Day
Eleanor Rosevelt
Ellen McArthur
Emily Bronte
Emily Dickinson
Emmeline Pankhurst
Estelle Morris
Esther (Bible)
Eve (Bible)
Fiona Castle
Florence Nightingale
Gee Walker
Germaine Greer
Helen Keller
Ida Lupino
Jacqueline Wilson
Janet Street Porter
Jennifer Beals
Jo Brand
Jo Whiley
Joan of Arc
Jocelyn Bell-Burnell
Julian of Norwich
Julie Walters
Karen Brady
Kate Bush
Kate Winslett
Kylie
Madonna
Margaret Atwood
Margaret Thatcher
Marie Curie
Martha (Bible)
Mary (Bible)
Mary Seacole
Michelle Obama
Mother Teresa
My mum
My nan
“myself”
Nancy Rothwell
Naomi (Bible)
Patti Smith
PJ Harvey
Queen Elizabeth I
Queen Margaret
Queen Victoria
Rachel Whiteread
Rosa Parkes
Ruth (Bible)
Sam Taylor Wood
Sheila Hancock
Tamar (Genesis 38, Bible)
Tanni Grey Thompson
Virginia Woolf
Vivien Westwood
Winnie Mandela
It's amazing what your brain mulling something over, and the input of a few mates, can do in 36 hours, isn't it?
Abigail Witchells
Amelia Earheart
Ang San Su Chi
Angela Merkell
Anita Roddick
Ann Begg
Annie Oakley
Billie Holiday
Boadicea
Camilla Batmanghelidjh
Charlotte Bronte
Debbi Harry
Delia Smith
Dorothy Day
Eleanor Rosevelt
Ellen McArthur
Emily Bronte
Emily Dickinson
Emmeline Pankhurst
Estelle Morris
Esther (Bible)
Eve (Bible)
Fiona Castle
Florence Nightingale
Gee Walker
Germaine Greer
Helen Keller
Ida Lupino
Jacqueline Wilson
Janet Street Porter
Jennifer Beals
Jo Brand
Jo Whiley
Joan of Arc
Jocelyn Bell-Burnell
Julian of Norwich
Julie Walters
Karen Brady
Kate Bush
Kate Winslett
Kylie
Madonna
Margaret Atwood
Margaret Thatcher
Marie Curie
Martha (Bible)
Mary (Bible)
Mary Seacole
Michelle Obama
Mother Teresa
My mum
My nan
“myself”
Nancy Rothwell
Naomi (Bible)
Patti Smith
PJ Harvey
Queen Elizabeth I
Queen Margaret
Queen Victoria
Rachel Whiteread
Rosa Parkes
Ruth (Bible)
Sam Taylor Wood
Sheila Hancock
Tamar (Genesis 38, Bible)
Tanni Grey Thompson
Virginia Woolf
Vivien Westwood
Winnie Mandela
The 40th Day
Well 40 days done...Thank goodness for that - It was a bit of a marathon! Final day points to resurrection.
Refresh FM - contains absolutely no whales
I have been swimming in the whale-infested waters of Christian radio for about a week now.
The thing about Christian radio is that, like a lot of Christian sub-culture, it's bland, insipid and aimed at a very narrow audience (i.e. grown-ups). Manchester's Refresh FM is a pretty mainstream affair in some ways, and their mission statement is a pretty typical 'bringing Jesus into the world' type affair.
But what they excel at is letting idiots like me run with ideas and, sometimes, fall over. On air. It's a fantastic training ground, and much of Christian subculture doesn't encourage that kind of experimentation or trust.
They've let me co-present 20 two-hour radio programmes this year. I've done five and I have 15 to go. The show I do is called Theatre Of Noise, and it's on every weeknight at the moment at 9pm (information here). Me and my plucky co-host play alternative music, mostly by Christians, and run features that often involve something getting destroyed (1), burst (2), pummelled (3), collapsed (4) or boiled in oil (5).
The strange thing is, Refresh FM is the one remaining area of my life where I 'hang out with evangelicals'. But I don't feel compromised. The church it's based in seems quite traditional, but they're cool with me and I'm cool with them.
It's a microcosm (I promise never to use that word on air) of an image I have of liberal heathens and holy evangelicals working together because of mutual love and respect for each other.
Right then... off to write some more programme scripts!
Wikipedia-style footnotes
(1) we destroy things in a feature called Chainsaw Challenge (Tuesdays and Thursdays).
(2) we burst things in a feature called Balloons And Darts (Fridays).
(3) we pummell things in features called The Adventure Game (Mondays) and Sackcloth And Bashes (Wednesdays).
(4) we collapse things (mainly quiches) in a feature called Flansubstantiation (Mondays).
(5) we boil things in oil in a feature called Friar Tuck Shop (Fridays).
The thing about Christian radio is that, like a lot of Christian sub-culture, it's bland, insipid and aimed at a very narrow audience (i.e. grown-ups). Manchester's Refresh FM is a pretty mainstream affair in some ways, and their mission statement is a pretty typical 'bringing Jesus into the world' type affair.
But what they excel at is letting idiots like me run with ideas and, sometimes, fall over. On air. It's a fantastic training ground, and much of Christian subculture doesn't encourage that kind of experimentation or trust.
They've let me co-present 20 two-hour radio programmes this year. I've done five and I have 15 to go. The show I do is called Theatre Of Noise, and it's on every weeknight at the moment at 9pm (information here). Me and my plucky co-host play alternative music, mostly by Christians, and run features that often involve something getting destroyed (1), burst (2), pummelled (3), collapsed (4) or boiled in oil (5).
The strange thing is, Refresh FM is the one remaining area of my life where I 'hang out with evangelicals'. But I don't feel compromised. The church it's based in seems quite traditional, but they're cool with me and I'm cool with them.
It's a microcosm (I promise never to use that word on air) of an image I have of liberal heathens and holy evangelicals working together because of mutual love and respect for each other.
Right then... off to write some more programme scripts!
Wikipedia-style footnotes
(1) we destroy things in a feature called Chainsaw Challenge (Tuesdays and Thursdays).
(2) we burst things in a feature called Balloons And Darts (Fridays).
(3) we pummell things in features called The Adventure Game (Mondays) and Sackcloth And Bashes (Wednesdays).
(4) we collapse things (mainly quiches) in a feature called Flansubstantiation (Mondays).
(5) we boil things in oil in a feature called Friar Tuck Shop (Fridays).
Day 37
Name: Kevin Leadbetter
Are you an artist?
Three Items:
1 - A large box of recycled paper
2 - A sharp pair of scissors
3 - A roll of Gaffer Tape
Why: Loneliness is something we all feel, even though we have the opportunity to be always online and always connected. By transforming the lonely, desolation of an empty space into something living, I'm intrigued to see whether it is possible to get a feeling of connection, or home, even whilst being watched like a caged animal.
Are you an artist?
Three Items:
1 - A large box of recycled paper
2 - A sharp pair of scissors
3 - A roll of Gaffer Tape
Why: Loneliness is something we all feel, even though we have the opportunity to be always online and always connected. By transforming the lonely, desolation of an empty space into something living, I'm intrigued to see whether it is possible to get a feeling of connection, or home, even whilst being watched like a caged animal.
Mark Kermode in Sunday School Exorcist shocker!!
Great interview with the man of movies in the Grauniad today - displaying humour, thoughtfulness and irreverance about his job, faith and approach to Richard Curtis films...
Stan's Cafe/ GB09
This will be stunning at GB - it comes highly recommended! (even though it sounds incredibly arty and abstract)
Day 36
Name: Charlotte Turton
Are you an artist: Yes
Three Items:
1 - Typewriter
2 - Blue Tac
3 - paper
Why? solitude is pace for the imagination. I am interested in generating text which bridge imagination and memory.
Are you an artist: Yes
Three Items:
1 - Typewriter
2 - Blue Tac
3 - paper
Why? solitude is pace for the imagination. I am interested in generating text which bridge imagination and memory.
Christianity21
Don't suppose anyone wants to cover my costs to fly out to this...? Looks like an amazing line up, some great conversations...
April fool
maybe this is the future...?
link
although "the Daily Mail recently pioneered an iPhone application providing users with a one-click facility for reporting suspicious behaviour by migrants or gays" unfortunately isn't that unbelievable...
link
although "the Daily Mail recently pioneered an iPhone application providing users with a one-click facility for reporting suspicious behaviour by migrants or gays" unfortunately isn't that unbelievable...
40 days Press Coverage
40 days has made it onto Manchester Confidential. Have a look and there is even a photo of me...
Leonard Cohen
Dave Tomlinson is doing a series of Lent talks (available via podcasts - see link) inspired by songs by Leonard Cohen. I think this is a very cool idea...
Wanted...
And it's out - any takers?
Diocese of Manchester, Manchester Methodist Circuit/ Sanctus1/Nexus Leader & Mission Enabler
| Job Title: | Sanctus1/Nexus Leader & Mission Enabler |
| Job description: | Are you interested in exploring faith in the context of today's culture? Are you passionate about expressing church in new and different ways? Have you heard about the exciting things happening in Manchester? Sanctus1 is an emerging Church based in Nexus in the city centre of Manchester. Both communities seek to engage creatively with city centre users in a missional and contextual way. Together the Bishop of Manchester and the Manchester Methodist Circuit are searching for an ordained person (Methodist or Anglican) to shape this exciting partnership over the next 5 years As Sanctus1/Nexus Leader & Mission Enabler you will
Further information from: The Revd Stuart Wild www.sanctus1.co.uk
|
| Closing Date: | 27/04/2009 |
| Interview Date: | 13,14/05/2009 |
| Contact Information | |
| Contact Name: | The Revd Stuart Wild |
| Contact Address: | Manchester Circuit Office, 439 Wilmslow Road, Manchester M20 4AN |
| Contact Email: | revstuartwild@aol.com |
Half way through 40 day
We've made it to the half way point of the 40 days project. 20 artists have been in so far, two people dropped out at short notice but we managed to fill their slots. I'm no longer going to post each of the artists to this blog but rather give you a summary each week of some of the highlights. If you want to see each artists bio then read the 40days blog.
I've looked through last weeks archive video pieces and really liked Rebeca Manley's sculptural work on Friday and also enjoy Sunday's sand sculpture (not sure who they were as it was a last minute stand in!)
My day was enjoyable, I loved the pattern and repetitive nature of the day...here are a few of my photos from it...
Day 6, 7, 8, 9...
Ok so I missed a few days and people for 40 Days of public Solitude. I've been rather busy with other bits and bobs but today (Day 9) is my day in the box! I'd originally planned to do day 37 but couldn't find anyone to do day 9 so it's me! You can watch me live on the website...
Here are my three object are rational:
What are you three objects?
1: Camera
2: Paper
3: Blue tac
Why do you want to participate in this project?
I am interested in rhythm and pattern. I am going to split each hour into blocks of 15.minutes and during those four fifteen minute sections do the same activity each hour. My activities will be:
1st fifteen minutes: Jesus Prayer - a repetitive meditative prayer
2nd fifteen minutes: Photography - photograph every person that stops at the top and bottom of the space
3rd fifteen minutes: Read the Bible
4th fifteen minutes: Create a pattern in the space with paper and blue-tac
Here are my three object are rational:
What are you three objects?
1: Camera
2: Paper
3: Blue tac
Why do you want to participate in this project?
I am interested in rhythm and pattern. I am going to split each hour into blocks of 15.minutes and during those four fifteen minute sections do the same activity each hour. My activities will be:
1st fifteen minutes: Jesus Prayer - a repetitive meditative prayer
2nd fifteen minutes: Photography - photograph every person that stops at the top and bottom of the space
3rd fifteen minutes: Read the Bible
4th fifteen minutes: Create a pattern in the space with paper and blue-tac
Day 5
Name: Clare Richardson
Item 1: Paper and Pen
Item 2: Sleeping Bag
Item 3: Mystery Item
Why do you want to participate?
It’ll be interesting to see how it feels to be in such public isolation – and solitude?
Item 1: Paper and Pen
Item 2: Sleeping Bag
Item 3: Mystery Item
Why do you want to participate?
It’ll be interesting to see how it feels to be in such public isolation – and solitude?
Day 4
Name: Louise Cooper
Item 1: Sleeping Bag
Item 2: ?
Item 3: ?
Why do you want to participate?
Why Not!
Item 1: Sleeping Bag
Item 2: ?
Item 3: ?
Why do you want to participate?
Why Not!
Stop Helping God Over the Road
‘I was born to sing for you/ I didn’t have a choice but/ to lift you up and sing whatever song you wanted me to/ I give you back my voice/ From the womb my first cry/ It was a joyful noise/ Justified till we die/ you and I will magnify/the Magnificent./Magnificent./
I’ve been in every black hole/At the altar of the dark star/My body’s now a begging bowl/ begging to get back/To my heart, to the rhythm of my soul/To the rhythm of my unconsciousness/To the rhythm that yearns to be released from control/
Hear me, cease to speak that I may speak.
Shush now.
Restart and reboot yourself./ You’re free to go./ Shout for joy if you get the chance/ Hear me, cease to speak that I may speak./ Shush now/ Then don’t move or say a thing/
How can you stand next to the truth and not see it?/ A change of heart comes slow./ Is it true that perfect love casts out all fear?/ It’s not a hill, it’s a mountain/ As you start out the climb./ Do you believe me or are you doubting?/ We’re gonna make it all the way to the light/
(You don’t know, and you don’t get it, do you?/You don’t know how beautiful you are.)
I’m gonna fall down/ if I can stand up for your love/ Stand up for hope, faith, love…/ But while I’m getting over certainty/ Stop helping God over the road like a little old lady./
I’m being born, a bleeding start./ The engines roar, blood curling wail/ Head first then foot/ Then heart sets sail.
Once I knew there was a love divine/ Then came a time I thought it knew me not./ Who can forgive forgiveness when forgiveness is not/ Only the lamb as white as snow./ If only a heart could be as white as snow./
Every day I die again, and again I’m reborn/ Every day I have to find the courage/ To walk out into the street/ With arms out/ Got a love you can’t defeat./ There’s nothing you have that I need./ I can breathe./ Breathe now.
There’s nothing you have that I need. I can breathe now.
I found grace inside a sound. I found grace, that’s all I found And I can breathe, breathe now.
Return the call home.’
(All the lyrics above have been drawn, in order of song, from U2’s latest album, No Line on the Horizon, which was released this week. By Brian Draper/ LICC-Connecting With Culture)
I’ve been in every black hole/At the altar of the dark star/My body’s now a begging bowl/ begging to get back/To my heart, to the rhythm of my soul/To the rhythm of my unconsciousness/To the rhythm that yearns to be released from control/
Hear me, cease to speak that I may speak.
Shush now.
Restart and reboot yourself./ You’re free to go./ Shout for joy if you get the chance/ Hear me, cease to speak that I may speak./ Shush now/ Then don’t move or say a thing/
How can you stand next to the truth and not see it?/ A change of heart comes slow./ Is it true that perfect love casts out all fear?/ It’s not a hill, it’s a mountain/ As you start out the climb./ Do you believe me or are you doubting?/ We’re gonna make it all the way to the light/
(You don’t know, and you don’t get it, do you?/You don’t know how beautiful you are.)
I’m gonna fall down/ if I can stand up for your love/ Stand up for hope, faith, love…/ But while I’m getting over certainty/ Stop helping God over the road like a little old lady./
I’m being born, a bleeding start./ The engines roar, blood curling wail/ Head first then foot/ Then heart sets sail.
Once I knew there was a love divine/ Then came a time I thought it knew me not./ Who can forgive forgiveness when forgiveness is not/ Only the lamb as white as snow./ If only a heart could be as white as snow./
Every day I die again, and again I’m reborn/ Every day I have to find the courage/ To walk out into the street/ With arms out/ Got a love you can’t defeat./ There’s nothing you have that I need./ I can breathe./ Breathe now.
There’s nothing you have that I need. I can breathe now.
I found grace inside a sound. I found grace, that’s all I found And I can breathe, breathe now.
Return the call home.’
(All the lyrics above have been drawn, in order of song, from U2’s latest album, No Line on the Horizon, which was released this week. By Brian Draper/ LICC-Connecting With Culture)
Day 3
Visit 40days.info to see what's happening on day 3.
Artist: Kate royle
Item 1: String
Item 2: String
Item 3: Gaffer tape
Why do you want to participate in this project?
I am interested in how space and environment influence the way we act and behave. The idea of isolation is sometimes something we crave for in a hectic ‘Big Brother’, ‘Facebook’ society. Using this idea as a point of departure, I would like to contradict the concept of being on display by creating my own escape – a retreat – through a sculptural intervention. Gradually building a protective cocoon for myself, I will slowly obscure myself from the viewer’s perspective. I would like to approach this situation as a further challenge for myself, by using it as an artistic sanctuary where I will have a chance to create and produce art - something I have found challenging since graduating from university last year. My nest will be a temporary dwelling where I will have the artistic freedom (through my isolation) to respond to the environment, experience and the material given to me.
Artist: Kate royle
Item 1: String
Item 2: String
Item 3: Gaffer tape
Why do you want to participate in this project?
I am interested in how space and environment influence the way we act and behave. The idea of isolation is sometimes something we crave for in a hectic ‘Big Brother’, ‘Facebook’ society. Using this idea as a point of departure, I would like to contradict the concept of being on display by creating my own escape – a retreat – through a sculptural intervention. Gradually building a protective cocoon for myself, I will slowly obscure myself from the viewer’s perspective. I would like to approach this situation as a further challenge for myself, by using it as an artistic sanctuary where I will have a chance to create and produce art - something I have found challenging since graduating from university last year. My nest will be a temporary dwelling where I will have the artistic freedom (through my isolation) to respond to the environment, experience and the material given to me.
Artist 2
Name: Peter Hiett
What three Items will you take into the box?
1: a pen
2: a ruler
3: paper
Why do you want to participate in this project?
I think it sounds like a really interesting project to get involved with, due to the fact that everyone involved will in essence, be in the same situation, but will react to the space differently.
I also think it would be fascinating to experience the stark contrast between the solitude and isolation within the space compared to the busy ever-changing city just outside.
I chose a pen, ruler and paper as my three objects because these are materials I often work with in my art. Due to the flexibility of these items, I would be able to enter the space without any preconceived plans for the day, this will allow me to react to the space and the experience in a natural and genuine way.
40 Days - Day 1 - Artist 1
40 days of public solitude starts today. The first artist is in the box from 10am - 6:15 pm.
You can watch a live feed from the website and you can also watch a time lapsed video of the previous day. To give you an idea of the set-up yesterday then have a look at the link off the here...p.s. please note the finishing time!
I'm going to post the details of each artist to this blog and the 40 days blog so that you can keep up with who is in the box and what they're doing.
Artist 1
Kolyn Amor
Three Items
1: A 'Stylophone' pocket organ
2: A 'Bop It Extreme 2' game
3: A 'Tamagotchi Music Star' virtual Pet
Why do you want to participate in this project?
As I tend to work in a closed-off space for much of the time, this would be a personal and professional challenge. I have restricted my items to three toys, each of which were popular in their time, are low tech, have a musical element (though are NOT music players) and have recently been re-launched. I am not skilled with any of these items so I would be learning them in a public space.
You can watch a live feed from the website and you can also watch a time lapsed video of the previous day. To give you an idea of the set-up yesterday then have a look at the link off the here...p.s. please note the finishing time!
I'm going to post the details of each artist to this blog and the 40 days blog so that you can keep up with who is in the box and what they're doing.
Artist 1
Kolyn Amor
Three Items
1: A 'Stylophone' pocket organ
2: A 'Bop It Extreme 2' game
3: A 'Tamagotchi Music Star' virtual Pet
Why do you want to participate in this project?
As I tend to work in a closed-off space for much of the time, this would be a personal and professional challenge. I have restricted my items to three toys, each of which were popular in their time, are low tech, have a musical element (though are NOT music players) and have recently been re-launched. I am not skilled with any of these items so I would be learning them in a public space.
girls and boys (and mark driscoll)
I’ve recently been thinking about the difference between the emerging church and the “fresh expressions” movement – one difference that I’m currently accepting is this , which I interpret as the idea that fresh expressions are a new take on the ways of doing things within an established church and emerging church largely as a group of people coming together with the freedom to push the boundaries and do their own thing a bit more.
However, I was talking to someone about this, and they reminded me that one of the problems with the term “emerging church” was the connection with Mark Driscoll. Even though he now says he has distanced himself from the emerging church his views have still tainted the definition.
Mark Driscoll makes me angry for a number of reasons:
- he preaches that women are unfit for church leadership because “they are more gullible and easier to deceive than men” and frequently jokes about women in leadership
- he stated that women who “let themselves go” physically are partially to blame for their husband’s infidelity (please note, this does not apply to men “letting themselves go” – apparently women don’t understand or experience lust the way men do)
- he does not accept the idea that God could be genderless – or, to quote him, the idea of “God as a chick”
- some people say that he’s trying to attract “macho men” to the church, and is doing this by putting down women and gay people to do so.
- Is it because he is fighting against this view: “Some emergent types recast Jesus as a limp-wrist hippie in a dress with a lot of product in His hair, who drank decaf and made pithy Zen statements about life while shopping for the perfect pair of shoes”. And thinks that women in leadership will just encourage this kind of effeminate, ineffectual person within the church?
- Perhaps he has personal issues with female/gay people and he’s using attack as a form of defence?
Even in the emerging church (as I know it) there is predominance of men over women in leadership, so - on a practical "money where your mouth is" level are we any better than other organisations? Even if we’re not Mark Driscoll…
community
"The word community has many connotations, some positive, some negative. Community can make us think of a safe togetherness, shared meals, common goals, and joyful celebrations. It also can call forth images of sectarian exclusivity, in-group language, self-satisfied isolation, and romantic naïveté.
However, community is first of all a quality of the heart. It grows from the spiritual knowledge that we are alive not for ourselves but for one another. Community is the fruit of our capacity to make the interests of others more important than our own (see Philippians 2:4).
The question, therefore, is not "How can we make community?" but "How can we develop and nurture giving hearts?"
Paul Fromont on community
(HT: Mark Berry)
However, community is first of all a quality of the heart. It grows from the spiritual knowledge that we are alive not for ourselves but for one another. Community is the fruit of our capacity to make the interests of others more important than our own (see Philippians 2:4).
The question, therefore, is not "How can we make community?" but "How can we develop and nurture giving hearts?"
Paul Fromont on community
(HT: Mark Berry)
Counter-Terrorism and the right to take photographs
The Government have given the police new powers, which are likely to be used to prevent anybody taking photographs of police officers. The rationale is that such information could be useful or used by terrorists.
From The Register:
The new law makes it an offence to elicit or attempt to elicit information about an individual who is or has been a member of Her Majesty’s forces, a member of any of the intelligence services or a constable, "which is of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism, or publishes or communicates any such information".
However, the police, who are more than happy to photograph and film people taking part in peaceful protests, demonstrations and marches, are notoriously reticent about other people filming them at such events. They will now be able to use this law to prevent people turning the cameras on them, and arresting those who continue to so do.
Meanwhile, that nice Mark Thomas has produced a handy cut-out-and-keep card that can be produced and proffered to a police officer in the event of a stop-and-search being intrusive, unlawful or malicious. He is also leading a protest at New Scotland Yard next week, against the new law. As this is within the parliamentary exclusion zone, and people will probably bring cameras with them, we will have to see how the police chose to use their new powers.
From The Register:
The new law makes it an offence to elicit or attempt to elicit information about an individual who is or has been a member of Her Majesty’s forces, a member of any of the intelligence services or a constable, "which is of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism, or publishes or communicates any such information".
However, the police, who are more than happy to photograph and film people taking part in peaceful protests, demonstrations and marches, are notoriously reticent about other people filming them at such events. They will now be able to use this law to prevent people turning the cameras on them, and arresting those who continue to so do.
Meanwhile, that nice Mark Thomas has produced a handy cut-out-and-keep card that can be produced and proffered to a police officer in the event of a stop-and-search being intrusive, unlawful or malicious. He is also leading a protest at New Scotland Yard next week, against the new law. As this is within the parliamentary exclusion zone, and people will probably bring cameras with them, we will have to see how the police chose to use their new powers.
Blah...Manchester with Pete Ward! - It's tomorrow!
Participation and Meditation: A Practical Theology for the Liquid Church
How do we encounter God through Culture?
Is liquid Church just an abstract academic ideal?
We are delighted that Dr. Pete Ward will be joining us for a day entitled 'Participation and Meditation: A Practical Theology for the Liquid Church' to explore these questions and many more. During the day we'll be exploring how participation and meditation in culture offers a distinctive approach to the way that we understand God and the church.
Pete Ward will suggest that to make sense of the contemporary nature of the Church we must understand the way that encounter with God is mediated by cultural expression.He offers a theoretical approach to practical theology which will be of use to practitioners rather than merely to other practical theologians.
About the Author: Dr Pete Ward is Senior Lecturer of Youth Ministry and Theological Education at King's College, London. He is also Adjunct Professor at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA.His earlier book 'Liquid Church' sold 10,000 copies
Practicalities: The day is on 12th February. It begins at 10:30 and finishes at 16:30 with an hour for lunch (lunch is not provided). It will be in the conference room at the Nazarene Theological College, Didsbury.
The cost for the day is £8.50, to book please visit: http://peteward.eventbrite.com/
Place are strictly limited so please book quickly.
This event is brought to by Blah...mcr and Think.
Brian Eno declares this Greenbelt festival open
Standing In The Long Now is the theme of the 2009 Greenbelt festival.
I've just read on the website of fellow radio bod Barrie Stephenson that the quote is taken from Brian Eno. It means taking a longer view as opposed to the "now” culture in which we live.
Read more on the 'long now' philosophy at the Long Now Foundation - or experience it when you're in the car queue to get into the event.
Brian is, to the unitiated, is a musician, kind-of-a-music-philosopher, and the father of modern ambient music. He is a hugely important cultural figure if you've ever listened to U2, watched David Lynch or, at one point, started up a computer.
So after me openly criticising Greenbelt for their lack of electronic music (and writing to them without much success), and am now in thrall and brimming with sparkling anticipation.
Incidentally, I once summed up Brian Eno's production career in a hugely influential and genre-bending diagram. It was so good, no-one has drawn a diagram since. I called it a Bri Chart.
40 days of public solitude application form
A few weeks ago I posted about a project that we're running in Nexus for the 40 days before Easter called '40 days of public solitude'. If you'd like to apply please download and application form from the website: www.40days.info
Final Dear Sanctus1 letters...
Dear Sanctus,
Hold firm to your calling in Christ, listen to God and to God in the world and grow, deepen and flourish. Nurture also the roots of your faith and be refreshed and renewed in justice, mercy and above all in love.
+
Keep going. Push the boundaries. Do not be afraid of change - embrace it. Then you will see things in a new light...
+
Abundant love and deepening knowledge - sounds like Sanctus1! With the humility to know that full insight is not going to happen in this lifetime! Sanctus1 is one of the things (if a group of incredible diverse human beings can be called a thing!) I will miss most when I eventually leave. I love and am loved much here and can't now think of a life without having known you - how weird after not much more than a year. Grounded, rooted, real people striving to love God and neighbour, with brains but no time for empty debate/ hot air.
+
To Sanctus community,
Think about what it is you value and how this is happening.
Remember your fragility and we're only as strong as the people taking time to hold it together.
Can you give more?
Are you inspired to share?
Be a part of the story and join in the shape of the future.
Hold firm to your calling in Christ, listen to God and to God in the world and grow, deepen and flourish. Nurture also the roots of your faith and be refreshed and renewed in justice, mercy and above all in love.
+
Keep going. Push the boundaries. Do not be afraid of change - embrace it. Then you will see things in a new light...
+
Abundant love and deepening knowledge - sounds like Sanctus1! With the humility to know that full insight is not going to happen in this lifetime! Sanctus1 is one of the things (if a group of incredible diverse human beings can be called a thing!) I will miss most when I eventually leave. I love and am loved much here and can't now think of a life without having known you - how weird after not much more than a year. Grounded, rooted, real people striving to love God and neighbour, with brains but no time for empty debate/ hot air.
+
To Sanctus community,
Think about what it is you value and how this is happening.
Remember your fragility and we're only as strong as the people taking time to hold it together.
Can you give more?
Are you inspired to share?
Be a part of the story and join in the shape of the future.
More Dear Sanctus1...
Always ask questions, search for answers, discover new ways of worship, praise, love, keep the flame of curiosity alive. Maintain this wonderful community of adventurers on a journey of discovery, together we can learn so much. x
+
Dear Sanctus1,
Have confidence. Stride this earth, not in your own power or authority, as you have none. But in the name of Christ, bless this world with your love of God, and his love for our world.
+
You are on an exciting journey. Keep going. Keep an open mind but don't lose sight of what you are about. May you bring belssing and discovery to your lives and those of people around you.
+
Dear Sanctus1,
A collection of lights. Hold onto truth. Hold onto beauty. Hold onto joy and just be. In who you are, in where you are, in waht you are. GOD IS. I AM. He sees, watches and smiles. In you He is well pleased. :-)
+
Dear Sanctus1,
Have confidence. Stride this earth, not in your own power or authority, as you have none. But in the name of Christ, bless this world with your love of God, and his love for our world.
+
You are on an exciting journey. Keep going. Keep an open mind but don't lose sight of what you are about. May you bring belssing and discovery to your lives and those of people around you.
+
Dear Sanctus1,
A collection of lights. Hold onto truth. Hold onto beauty. Hold onto joy and just be. In who you are, in where you are, in waht you are. GOD IS. I AM. He sees, watches and smiles. In you He is well pleased. :-)
More Dear Sanctus1...
Dear Sanctus1,
Look how far you've come. Sometimes it has felt like marching, sometimes it has felt like dragging yourself through a bush backwards. But look how far you've come.
And there's so far to go, but that's a good thing, because you've done it before and you'll do it again.
May integrity root you deeply like a bloody great oak.
May what is honouring to God drip from the heavens until you're soaked to the skin.
May hope burst from within like a washing machine foam overload.
Yeah that's right, "washing machine foam overload". The Bible can use contemporary simile and so can I.
Yours lovingly. x
+
I thank God that somewhere like Nexus exists so groups like Sanctus can meet. Let us live up to the potential of this space.
+
Dear Sanctus,
Thank you for this space we make together of welcome, inclusion, companionship, laughter, love, care, compassion, journeying, questioning, and exploration. Please never stop exploring, never be satisfied with easy answers. Keep going forwards in creativity and passion for life in all its fullness.
+
Dear Sanctus1,
If we can be changed ourselves, we can change this city, the world.
We must love God with heart, soul, mind, strength and each other and others like that too.
We are the revolution...
Look how far you've come. Sometimes it has felt like marching, sometimes it has felt like dragging yourself through a bush backwards. But look how far you've come.
And there's so far to go, but that's a good thing, because you've done it before and you'll do it again.
May integrity root you deeply like a bloody great oak.
May what is honouring to God drip from the heavens until you're soaked to the skin.
May hope burst from within like a washing machine foam overload.
Yeah that's right, "washing machine foam overload". The Bible can use contemporary simile and so can I.
Yours lovingly. x
+
I thank God that somewhere like Nexus exists so groups like Sanctus can meet. Let us live up to the potential of this space.
+
Dear Sanctus,
Thank you for this space we make together of welcome, inclusion, companionship, laughter, love, care, compassion, journeying, questioning, and exploration. Please never stop exploring, never be satisfied with easy answers. Keep going forwards in creativity and passion for life in all its fullness.
+
Dear Sanctus1,
If we can be changed ourselves, we can change this city, the world.
We must love God with heart, soul, mind, strength and each other and others like that too.
We are the revolution...
Sanctus subtitled, and The First Letters to Sanctus1...
Last night's service on the Bible took a new twist when Cris lost his voice over the weekend - and then decided to frame the entire service around that fact. If he couldn't speak, we wouldn't either. Silence reigned.
We lit three silent candles, explored four stations silently, and took silent communion. Essentially, it was like a Sanctus service with the sound turned way down and the subtitles on. And thing is, it worked...
One of the stations was based around the letters that make up the bulk of the end of the New Testament - writing one letter to ourselves and another to the Sanctus1 community. We'll be blogging the ones that people wrote to the community over the coming days - for starters here's the first few "Dear Sanctus1" letters:
+
Dear Sanctus,
Please keep accepting those who simply desire acceptance for who they are.
Thank you. The broken ones!
+
To Sanctus,
Remember grace
Remember peace
Remember joy
Remember prayer
Remember the gospel
Remember those in prison
Remember compassion
Remember love
Remember what is best
Remember righteousness
Remember Christ
I thank God for you.
+
You have come far, but still so young and fragile. You are stronger together. Do not waste this time for you are here for a purpose. Use your gifts, be a light to others. I am with you always, do not let go, just be.
+
We lit three silent candles, explored four stations silently, and took silent communion. Essentially, it was like a Sanctus service with the sound turned way down and the subtitles on. And thing is, it worked...
One of the stations was based around the letters that make up the bulk of the end of the New Testament - writing one letter to ourselves and another to the Sanctus1 community. We'll be blogging the ones that people wrote to the community over the coming days - for starters here's the first few "Dear Sanctus1" letters:
+
Dear Sanctus,
Please keep accepting those who simply desire acceptance for who they are.
Thank you. The broken ones!
+
To Sanctus,
Remember grace
Remember peace
Remember joy
Remember prayer
Remember the gospel
Remember those in prison
Remember compassion
Remember love
Remember what is best
Remember righteousness
Remember Christ
I thank God for you.
+
You have come far, but still so young and fragile. You are stronger together. Do not waste this time for you are here for a purpose. Use your gifts, be a light to others. I am with you always, do not let go, just be.
+
40 Days of Public Solitude - Call for Artists
40 days in which artists and members of the public spend time alone in an enclosed public space.
Each day between 9:30 and 19:00 an artists or a member of public will be shut away in the glass fronted installation space*. Within this space they will be given The Complete Works of Shakespeare, The Bible (as in Desert Island Disks) some water and the option of a meal. They may also take three items into the space with them (excluding mobile phones, written material, computers, radios and all forms of music players). Artists will be encouraged to contribute to an exhibition in an adjoining space, which will be made up of an archive of the experiences. A webcam will broadcast a live feed to a designated website.
The Venue
Nexus is an arts café in Manchester city centre. The space has a rolling programme of contemporary art exhibitions and has been established for over three years. Nexus consists of a purpose built glass fronted installation space that can be viewed from a main street in Manchester city centre and a gallery space within the café.
Dates: 4th March - 12th April.
* No nudity or lewd conduct please.
If you are interested in applying then please leave your email in the comments section, or email Ben via the contacts page.
Each day between 9:30 and 19:00 an artists or a member of public will be shut away in the glass fronted installation space*. Within this space they will be given The Complete Works of Shakespeare, The Bible (as in Desert Island Disks) some water and the option of a meal. They may also take three items into the space with them (excluding mobile phones, written material, computers, radios and all forms of music players). Artists will be encouraged to contribute to an exhibition in an adjoining space, which will be made up of an archive of the experiences. A webcam will broadcast a live feed to a designated website.
The Venue
Nexus is an arts café in Manchester city centre. The space has a rolling programme of contemporary art exhibitions and has been established for over three years. Nexus consists of a purpose built glass fronted installation space that can be viewed from a main street in Manchester city centre and a gallery space within the café.
Dates: 4th March - 12th April.
* No nudity or lewd conduct please.
If you are interested in applying then please leave your email in the comments section, or email Ben via the contacts page.
The Renewed Life Is The Key To The Christ In Me = the reason why YouTube exists
(Edit: Try this link instead.)
Preparations for this year's Sanctus 1 service at Greenbelt are gathering pace. Here is an exclusive preview of our closing number, a performance of The Renewed Life Is The Key To The Christ In Me.
I think Ben scrubs up well in a suit, don't you think?
Preparations for this year's Sanctus 1 service at Greenbelt are gathering pace. Here is an exclusive preview of our closing number, a performance of The Renewed Life Is The Key To The Christ In Me.
I think Ben scrubs up well in a suit, don't you think?
And the light shone in the north, over Ancoats...
Last night, we managed in January in Manchester city centre what we didn't manage in August in a field in Cheltenham: we released a sky candle. They are large paper lanterns with a flammable cardboard burner, that heat and fill like a hot air balloon, sailing away up into the sky. We wrote on the candle with felt pens our prayers for where the light of God would be seen in 2009.
It resonated well with our epiphany theme about the light shining in the world and the Magi following the star to Bethlehem. And it looked blooming gorgeous! The photos are a bit shaky but give you a good enough idea...
Go on Jonny, make it a worship trick... you know you want to! ;-)
International rock stars, please read this. Everyone else, don't.
According to this article on the LA Times blog, pop legend Prince (or TAFKAP or Symbol or whatever he is called these days) studies the good book with, and here's the dramatic twist, his homosexual friends.
(Thanks for Stereogum for pointing me towards this.)
The controversy over a recent New Yorker "Talk of the Town" item, which Prince feels implied he supported the gay-marriage ban, has upset him... "I have friends that are gay and we study the Bible together," he said.You see? Religious and in-with-the-gays. If any other international rock stars would like a gay as an accessory, just leave a comment below and I'll reply in due course. Apart from Bono. And any members of Def Leppard.
(Thanks for Stereogum for pointing me towards this.)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)