| Deanery Newsletter - 21st December, 2011 |
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Dear friends. Last weekend
On the annunciation I preached on the central theme of this story which is Grace, and Mary's response to Grace, which is a model for all people. If you want to read what I said just click on the following link; http://revmartinjacques.blogspot.com/2011/12/amazing-grace.html
Well I never...
on Monday morning we had a funeral. Everything was fine until right at the end as I was leading the coffin out of the church to walk to the cemetery, Peter my churchwarden whispered "They've dug the hole in the wrong place". Gulp......and it transpired that this is exactly what had happened. Then there was a hiatus when the workmen refused to dig another grave until frantic calls to their bosses eventually got them to do so. Meanwhile the whole funeral party was standing in the freezing cold for half an hour waiting for the new grave to be dug. At least nothing else could go wrong I thought. Then just when the new grave was ready it poured down and we all got soaked.
Next Sunday.....is Christmas - Hurray!
How to capture the real essence of Christmas in a few words? Well, I resort to what I said at the Christingle service last week. The world and our own lives are a curious mixture of joy and pain, successes and failures, light and shade, life and death. Yet through our lives and the world shines a light - a light not from outside ourselves but from within ourselves. And light illuminates everything, there is no dark corner of your life or the life of the world that cannot be lit up from within. "The light that enlightens every person" has been revealed to us. Not apart from us but a part of us.
News from Cockfield and Evenwood
Thanks to all who have come through to see Cockfield's tree festival... And at Evenwood......................
We have the chance at short notice to put on the diocesan bishop's
New service in Gainford - Be still. In the new year we are starting an exciting monthly service that will be more meditative and make good use of symbols and candles and silence. These services will have the title "Be still" It will be an eclectic mix of Celtic, Taize and other influences. Music will be provided by piano or guitar. Although the first one is being held in Gainford, anyone from across the Deanery is welcome to come and try it for themselves to see if they find it meaningful. They will be led by Canon Neil Russell who successfully ran these services at his last church. There are four formats, so you get something different every time. The very first one is going to be held at 4pm on Sunday 8th January and the theme will be light.
A poem by Hafiz
Mismatched newlyweds
Like a pair of mismatched newlyweds One of whom still feels very insecure, I keep turning to God saying "Kiss Me". Thought for the day
David Cameron, in a speech to church representatives in Oxford said that the Church of England should be bolder in providing a moral compass for this country. At the very least, this statement sends the message that the Prime Minister sees worth in Christianity. This is important when so many leading lights in our society today see Christianity as worthless. So one cheer for that. But then things start getting more complex. If I was to be very cynical for a second, I could translate our millionaire Prime Minister as saying "Will someone please do something to stop these little buggers from scratching my and my friends Mercedes?". To which Rowan Williams, judging by recent pronouncements might say "Well it's your immoral policies that are causing this in the first place".
To be more serious, Mr Cameron did also raise the spectre of Parliamentary expenses and the casino culture of the City alongside the rioters, but its my guess that the riots were key here. They brought home to people just what a moral vacuum we now appear to live in and to be charitable I take him at his word as being seriously worried about it.
But herein lies a problem. Is that what Christianity is - just an agent of social control? That is how many politicians and many of the general public see us. Just as moral and social policemen. They are not entirely at fault here of course because unfortunately that also is how powerful church institutions down the ages have also seen themselves, (usually comfortably in bed with the ruling elites). The Church used to try and keep the lid on things and control behaviour by terrifying people with the prospect of hellfire, though just a cursory look at history tends to show that it was never very effective. But anyway, very few people believe in Hell any more (least of all the church) so that won't work nowadays. I'm going to take a flying leap into the unknown here and predict that absolutely no-one is going to change their behaviour just because the church "takes a moral lead" and says that everyone is very very naughty. And anyway, in case you hadn't noticed, Christianity is not about an exterior body of rules but an inner relationship with the divine mystery. Changed behaviour grows through that intimate relationship centred on Grace. Belief comes first and changed behaviour follows.
And that is the main problem in asking for a church led emphasis on morals - that it is predicated on a belief in God, but belief in God in general terms is in decline and more pertinent to us, belief in the traditional "Church" depiction of God has plummeted. A lot of people are prepared to believe in God, just not the one that is routinely preached in churches - the controlling, dualistic, judgemental, interventionist God who rewards people with heaven or damns people to hell.
There is also a view that it doesn't matter which church you go to because ultimately they are all the same. That is not true. Some versions of God are positively harmful. The kind of God that is preached in different churches is supremely important because it can have a severe and detrimental effect on people. I was reminded of this powerfully last Sunday when a lady was persuaded to come to Gainford church by a friend. Her confidence had been undermined and she had been pushed into depression after attending a big Evangelical church in Darlington for some time. She had been assured by these people that she was under demonic attack and she was confused, depressed and ill at ease. Her friend was trying to help her by introducing her to a deeper more rational Christianity and introduce her to concepts like Grace, Love, peace, joy and life in all its fullness instead of signs and wonders, miracle healings, Sin blood and demons, wrath and judgement. Not all versions of God are the same! Unfortunately, that kind of Christianity and the kind of God preached in that evangelical church is extremely popular worldwide. It is popular but it is false and doesn't advance the Kingdom of God one iota. I see it as part of my ongoing duty as an ordained minister in the Cof E to continue to counter their harmful controlling dogma, and their harmful controlling version of God to the best of my ability, this year, next year, and for as long as I am able.
HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As I'm on my own now, I am only sending cards to immediate family, but I hope you realise that everyone I know, wherever you are, I wish you all a very happy Christmas and a peaceful new year!
Let's end this year with St. Paul's Universalist doxology at the end of chapter 11 of his letter to the Romans.
For God has consigned all men to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.
O the depths of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God.
How unsearchable are his judgements and how inscrutable his ways.
For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counsellor?
Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?
For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be glory for ever. Amen.
Love and peace
Martin
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