General Chat

I love this thread. Not a day goes by when there is not something of interest. I love the news, the poems, the prayers, the way in which we can all share without having to say a word or say just a few words. We can also share sorrow as well as joy. I look to this thread for inspiration and warmth.



Susan who is having a quiet moment of reflection :-)

Congratulations to Bishop Melissa (didn't she do well!)

We have had a new lady Rector in our parish for a month and we feel blessed because she is so spiritual and genuine. This is the first time ever that there has been a woman Rector. A bit of a surprise but we are all more than happy and feel she will move our church forward and encourage the young ones to attend

Yesterday for the first time our church joined the Community Christmas Market and the village really came in large numbers to support the stall holders.
We were allowed two tables and made £400 from cake/tombola and raffle which pleased us faithful few this morning when the amount was announced. What we all agreed on was that it was good to all work together in fellowship for the financial good of our village church.( we are aged 70/80/90) and were all exhausted yesterday but have "bounced" back for church this morning.

Dear All

Hello


A simple prayer for Advent:


Dear Lord, please restore all that has been lost
through struggle and fear,
in sorrow and pain.


Dear Lord, please restore the balance of hope
for those oppressed and hungry for justice,
overlooked and counted as little worth.


Dear Lord, please restore to wholeness
the image that is tarnished
with sin and shame,
neglect and distraction.


Dear Lord, please look after us at this time.
Amen.

Take gentle care all
Best wishes
Elizabeth, EOS
xx

Good morning everyone........it's so nice to see friends popping in and sharing things. Well done on the stall kandj it sounds as though there was a good community spirit which is wonderful.


Please keep us informed of Bishop Melissa Sylvia - it is going to be interesting!


Susan, it's so heartening to know how much this thread means to some folk. Thank you.


Elizabeth, yes indeed....yesterday was Advent Sunday so this thread is almost a year old now. I do hope we can keep it going for as long as possible.


The Confirmation service went off very well. Our late vicar was sadly missed, and a few things went awry because of his absence, but they were only tiny things.

The children were excited and happy, the church was full to bursting and the Bishop, despite his age, did a grand job :-)


To add to Elizabeth's thoughts :

The Collect for Advent Sunday

Almighty God,
give us grace to cast away the works of darkness
and to put on the armour of light,
now in the time of this mortal life,
in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility;
that on the last day,
when he shall come again in his glorious majesty
to judge the living and the dead,
we may rise to the life immortal;
through him who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.


Love to you all..... Cx :-)

A lot of Christians used to love Vicar of Dibley. I didn't. Not because she was a woman, but because it displayed a side of church that I was not familiar with at all.

However, I watched a snippet the other day and it was when the local big wig was waiting to welcome his new male Vicar and she bounced in! Quite funny. And I am sure they eventually got used to "Father Geraldine". (Now that all C of E male Vicars seem to want to be called father (which I hate), what do we call females in the Anglican priesthood?)

Just as New Westminster will get used to Bishop Melissa. Just as we might get used to King Wayne I or Queen Chelsea in a century's time. It is the role they perform, not the name or even the sex in my view. Or even the denomination. Mother Theresa still remains one of the most influential Christians in our generation.

Yes, this thread was started during advent last year. In the very week when traditionally (Anglicans and Methodists in particular) we look at the role of Mary in the advent story. We look at Mary, a very young virgin barely a teenager. And her saintly and quite elderly mother Anne in particular.

And perhaps we need to focus on their saintliness, their purity and their wonderful unquestioning faith. And be thankful that there are men and women in our day who are willing to take on some of their mantle.

:-) :-)

Life is a constant Advent season: we are continually waiting to become, to discover, to complete, to fulfill. Hope, struggle, fear, expectation and fulfillment are all part of our Advent experience.

The world is not as just, not as loving, not as whole as we know it can or should be.
But the coming of Christ and His presence among us- as one of us- give us reason to live in hope: that light will shatter the darkness, that we can be liberated from our fears and prejudices, that we are never alone or abandoned.

May this Advent season be a time of bringing hope, transformation and fulfillment into the Advent of our lives.

Good morning and thank you for those very meaningful words kandj. :-)


I know that names don't make an iota of difference as to how a person behaves or affects whatever position they may hold - I think that it's because I am of the generation which is used to more traditional names that I find the thought of a Bishop Melissa to be very unusual. As time moves on, I realise that no one will bat an eyelid at what I consider to be the modern names. :-)


As for the Vicar of Dibley, I used to love it - apart from whenever any irreverence crept in. However, the PCC's and general parish antics reminded me of so many people I have known over the years. :-D

John, I'm surprised that you think that most Anglican clergy wish to be known as 'Father' these days. I find it is quite the opposite, with many churchgoers shaking their collective heads at the title. It mainly depends on their churchmanship of course.

If a church has a particular tradition of being rather 'high', then to address the parish priest as 'Father' is quite acceptable and the usual thing to do.

It tends to be the more evangelical wing of the church which finds the title difficult and they tend to address their clergy by their Christian names.

The middle wing of the church wobble from side to side - using anything from the incumbent's Christian name or, maybe, calling them Reverend. Our late vicar was known by his Christian name to the adults but the title Vicar was added to his name for use by the children.

Again, maybe I am of the old school where anyone in a position of respect was never addressed by their Christian name in formal circumstances.


Anyway....moving on...... a prayer for today:

My Friend

There was a time I searched in vain,
To find myself a friend.
I sought to find some caring soul,
Who'd love me without end.

I ached with need ... I was alone,
I looked so hard and long.
I felt such pain and emptiness,
What was I doing wrong?

I approached so many people,
I bared my soul to few;
Why they could never love me,
I never really knew.

I went to God and asked His help,
He gave this answer to me:
"That friend with everlasting love,
Can be only found through me."

"I'll be that friend you've sought so long,
I have such love for you;
In fact, I sacrificed my Son,
To show my love is true."

"I gave Him up at Calvary,
He bled and died in pain.
You'll have no greater love than this,
There's no greater to attain."

"My friendship and my love are yours,
Your search is finally done;
Your loneliness will disappear,
Your emptiness be gone."

"Since I also know your human needs,
You've another rule to learn ...
That in your quest for earthly love,
What you give is what's returned."

I closed my eyes to offer thanks,
A warm sun kissed my face;
A gentle breeze wafted over me,
And I received my Friend's embrace.

~ Virginia Ellis ~


Enjoy your day Cx :-)

Interesting postings these past few days and so good to see other joining in.
All are welcome here, as we all have different views and opinions, so adding our own experiences, for me is a joy to read. Thank you everyone.

John, In the past I enjoyed spiritual worship in a local Anglican "high" church where Father John (yes!) was respected and thought so fondly of by one and all. I used to take my Catholic sister-in-law occasionally and Pat used to tell me that this church was more "Catholic" than her own!. Fr John must have been doing something right because the church was always full and the atmosphere warm and welcoming. Sadly he has retired but still lives locally and is happy to chat to the villagers and they love to spend time with him....... one of God's special ones and I feel privileged to have shared his journey if faith.

Cynthia, Our new lady Rector (or is she Rectoress?), announced herself as J and so we golden oldies call her by her first name to her face but we speak of
"the Rector" in conversation with one another...... old habits die hard ha ha.

Another beautiful poem by Virginia Ellis...... thank you Cynthia for your efforts, much appreciated as always.

Hello all, beautiful poem Cynthia thank you :-)

I can't remember the Ministers first name who married us
53 years ago much to my shame as I knew him well, these
days I just call them Minister as am not what you would call
a member of any church these days.

Lovely to read all the posts which I find interesting. Also enjoy
reading about all your Church activities, as a Christian I believe
my prayers are as important and heard even in my own home as anywhere
else, as we all know there are many forms of prayer.

Enjoy your day and keep adding to this wonderful thread.

Emma :-)

My Vicar in our old village in Northants insisted on Father John. On his newsletters, on the board outside, in the local paper. I found it all mildly irritating, and was pleased that (whilst I was his parishioner) I was not an Anglican communicant..

On the odd occasion I would attend the parish church, I always had a chat to him afterwards. And always greeted him in the street. And always addressed him as John or Brother John. No 30-year old was going to be called Father by me. He had 3 children already - why did he want more?

I still respected his position. It is a professional position and takes years of training. But why should any Christian be less humble than me? And I am not at a particularly high level of humility myself. So Sir, Vicar, John or Brother John is all I am prepared to call them, unless they are at least 15 years older than me and have biological proof of paternity. :-)

Our God, heav'n cannot hold him,
Nor earth sustain;
Heav'n and earth shall flee away
When he comes to reign.
In the bleak mid-winter
A stable-place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty,
Jesus Christ

(Christina Rossetti)

"But though, Bethlehem Ephrata, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me - that is to be ruler in Israel. Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting" (Micah Chap 5 verse 2 AV)

But you, Bethlehem, David’s country,
the runt of the litter—
From you will come the leader
who will shepherd-rule Israel.
"He’ll be no upstart, no pretender.
His family tree is ancient and distinguished.
Meanwhile, Israel will be in foster homes
until the birth pangs are over and the child is born,
And the scattered brothers come back
home to the family of Israel.
He will stand tall in his shepherd-rule by God’s strength,
centered in the majesty of God-Revealed.
And the people will have a good and safe home,
for the whole world will hold him in respect—
Peacemaker of the world!"
(Micah v 2-4 from The Message Bible)

Micah prophesied approximately 700BC :-0 Yet he knew in prophesy what we now know in fact :-)

I agree with Cynthia's comments re the name used for the Vicar of a Parish.

The church that OH attends has called its Vicar by his/her name since OH and daughter started going there in 1978

Even the children called the vicar Ron, Pat (female, Patricia), Graham, April, and now Andrew.

Mind you, we do live in a much more informal country, where it is much more common to use names rather than titles, in any kind of "business".


Pat married my daughter .............. she had officially retired 2 months earlier, but kept her license in order to conduct this marriage.


In conversation, members of the congregation also use these names among themselves or with others who know the names. Only when conversing with "strangers" will they qualify the name with Vicar or Reverend.


Bishop-Elect Reverend Canon Melissa Skelton, as she is currently styled, will be ordained in March .................. which means the Diocese is still in the interregnum between Bishop Michael retiring at the end of August and her ordination.

Since September 1st, the Dean of the Diocese of New Westminster has been the Administrator of the Diocese and took over the day-to-day administrative functions of the Office of the Bishop assisted by Synod Staff. He will continue in that role until the Consecration and Ordination of Canon Skelton.


More information is emerging regarding her election ......... and it was particularly nice to see the following ...........

"Canon Skelton received a substantial majority of votes from both the clergy and lay members of Synod on all three ballots." :-)

Good morning everyone... :-)


However we may address our clergy, be they male or female, the fact remains that we look to them for guidance and support.......and, as there are so many congregations who are waiting for a new incumbent, I thought the following was interesting :-)


Searching for a minister

One of the toughest tasks a church faces is choosing a good minister. A member of an official board undergoing this painful process finally lost patience. He'd just witnessed the Pastoral Relations Committee reject applicant after applicant for some minor fault - real or imagined. It was time for a bit of soul-searching on the part of the committee. So he stood up and read this letter purporting to be from another applicant.

Gentlemen:

Understanding your pulpit is vacant, I should like to apply for the position. I have many qualifications. I've been a preacher with much success and also had some success as a writer. Some say I'm a good organizer. I've been a leader most places I've been.

I'm over 50 years of age and have never preached in one place for more than three years. In some places, I have left town after my work caused riots and disturbances. I must admit I have been in jail three or four times, but not because of any real wrong doing.

My health is not too good, though I still accomplish a great deal. The churches I have preached in have been small, though located in several large cities.

I've not gotten along well with religious leaders in the towns where I have preached. In fact, some have threatened me, and even attacked me physically. I am not too good at keeping records. I have been known to forget whom I have baptized.

However, if you can use me, I promise to do my best for you.

The board member turned to the committee and said, "Well, what do you think? Shall we call him?"

The good church folks were appalled! Consider a sickly, trouble- making, absent-minded ex-jailbird? Was the board member crazy? Who signed the application? Who had such colossal nerve?

The board member eyed them all keenly before he replied, "It's signed, 'The Apostle Paul.'"




Enjoy your day..... Cx :-)

:-D :-D :-D @ Cynthia

Add to his cv that he was a poor speaker and 4'6" tall - that should help him get the job. I wonder if Bishop Skelton has a criminal record and that helped her win the Bishopric in BC New Westminster :-)

Wesley never wanted local preachers in his Society, which was effectively the evangelical wing of his beloved C of E. He wanted well educated, cultured gentlemen like himself. But a coarse working man took to the pulpit (can't remember how) and Susannah Wesley (mother of John) was in attendance.

John Wesley was furious that someone should occupy "Moses seat" who was so unqualified. Which bishop laid hands on him? he asked angrily. But his mother said "God laid hands on Mr ?". And so started the tradition of allowing lay people to preach. And women were allowed into the Methodist pulpit (only if no suitable man was available admittedly) about 1820

Went today to an Advent Service organized by the Mothers Union in a nearby church and the place was full (brilliant!). Anglican, Methodist and Catholic.

"Expectation" was the theme throughout the service with wonderful readings from scripture and many special hymns. The accompaniment was piano and a recorder.

Hills of the North Rejoice
Come thou long expected Jesus.
Tell Out My Soul
Just as I am.
Go Tell It On the Mountain.
I Cannot Tell.

The final prayer:-
In this Advent of anticipation, draw us together in unity that our praise and worship might echo in these walls and also through our lives.
In this Advent of anticipation, draw us together in mission that the hope within might be the song we sing in the melody of our lives.
In this Advent of anticipation, draw us together in service that the path we follow might lead us from a stable to a glimpse of eternity. Amen.

Good morning everyone :-)


kandj, thank you for sharing that with us. I have been to many such services and you have brought back many happy memories for me :-)


It is so long sing I sang the first hymn on your list, that I thought it worthy of printing out for this morning. I love some of the words which are used.....'nigh' : 'pent' : 'boundless sway' but which are rarely heard these days. Wonderful!


Hills of the north, rejoice;
river and mountain spring,
hark to the advent voice;
valley and lowland, sing;
though absent long, your Lord is nigh;
he judgment brings and victory.

Isles of the southern seas,
deep in your coral caves
pent be each warring breeze,
lulled be your restless waves:
he comes to reign with boundless sway,
and makes your wastes his great highway.

Lands of the East, awake,
soon shall your sons be free;
the sleep of ages break,
and rise to liberty.
On your far hills, long cold and gray,
has dawned the everlasting day.

Shores of the utmost West,
ye that have waited long,
unvisited, unblessed,
break forth to swelling song;
high raise the note, that Jesus died,
yet lives and reigns, the Crucified.

Shout, while ye journey home;
songs be in every mouth;
lo, from the North we come,
from East, and West, and South.
city of God, the bond are free,
we come to live and reign in thee!


For those of us who enjoy a good sing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHudis7ITrY



Have a good day everyone and stay safe in the high winds. Cx :-)

Yes, I can manage that one, kandj and Cynthia. Voice a bit crackly pre-coffee, so apologies.

Shout, while ye journey home;
songs be in every mouth;
lo, from the North we come,
from East, and West, and South.
City of God, the bond are free,
we come to live and reign in thee!

Charles E. Oakley (1832-1865)

Born in Gillingham, Rector of Wickwar in Glos, died in Rhyl aged 33. Wife was "Lady Georgina" and he had a couple of children - one was Algernon. So a bit above my station in life, but what a wonderful legacy in those fine words.

:-) :-)

Thanks for the sing-a-long this morning Cynthia and thanks also to John for an interesting posting too.

I have an Advent calendar. Not the glittery one or one with chocolates but a beautiful one with daily bible texts....... might I share these with you all please?

1. The angel Gabriel was sent by God to Nazareth. Luke 1:26
2. The angel said to Mary, Fear not for you have found favour with God. Luke 1:30
3. You will bring forth a son and shall call his name Jesus. Luke 1:31
4. He will be called the son of the Highest. Luke 1:32
5. The angel of the Lord appeared unto Joseph. Matthew 1.20.

Loving it! more to follow...... worthy of passing on methinks.

What great verses, kandj :-) :-) I also love the Old Testament ones, like this from Isaiah Chapter 7 verse 14:

"Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign: Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (God with us). Butter and honet shall he eat"

I have read that John Baptist and Jesus belonged to a sect within Judaism that were basically vegetarians and did eat a lot of honey cake and butter. And I love this passage from a sermon by the Prince of Preachers, Charles Haddon Spurgeon:

We see, therefore, that the Virgin Mary
called her son, Immanuel, that there might be
a meaning in His name

"God with us".

My soul, ring these words again,

"God with us".

Oh, it is one of the bells of Heaven! Let us strike it yet
again

"God with us".

Oh, it is a stray note from the sonnets of Paradise!

"God with us".

Oh, it is the lisping of a se-raph!

"God with us".

Oh, it is one of the notes of the singing of Jehovah when He rejoices over His Church with singing!

"God with us".

Tell it, tell it, tell it.
This is the name of Him who is born today

"Hark, the herald angels sing!"

This is His name,

"God with us"

God with us, by His Incarnation, for the august Creator of the world did walk upon
this globe! :-)

Cynthia, kandj and John thank you for your
wonderful postings. :-)

Emma :-)