Uplifting

A big daunting space for little performers

Parishes in interregnum have to struggle to keep afloat. When they are A, B and C parishes, the struggle is far harder. All credit, then, to parishes which are not content just to keep things as they were, but are ready to reach out beyond the faithful into the local community.

We have lift-off!

That, the Churchwarden told me this morning, was one of the reasons why at St Francis' Bournemouth they were determined to put on a children's teaching week. These have happened in the past, but they have depended heavily on the enthusiasm and commitment of their former incumbent and his wife.

Today, I was warned not to prepare a sermon; some of those who had taken part in "Lift-off" would be presenting the congregation with a taste of what they had been doing over the previous six days. There are pictures of their presentation here - but they are static and without the enthusiastic singing and dance which made the morning, as one lady said to me after Mass, "very lively". The theme was servants of God; from Noah to Our Lord Himself, with references to Joseph and many other heroes of the faith.

There had been many more participants through the week; but non-church-going parents found ready excuses not to let the children attend this morning's mass. That is a great pity,for they missed a lovely morning. It was not just the young participants who enjoyed it; there were older members of the congregation, and a very lively group of teenagers, who threw themselves into it with gusto. I hope the diocese will note what occurred in St Francis' Charminster Road this past week. Perhaps they will even put a tick in the box marked "fresh expressions". What is more, it happened with the participation of the locals, including several of the choir and servers and the Churchwardens. This is the sort of parish which General Synod has recently attempted to vote out of existence. What they should realise, though, is that these are transferable talents; and many of the congregation heard a talk last week from an SSC Priest on the Ordinairiate.

Music Maestro with admirers after Mass

Holborn to the Dorsodouro

Goodbye St Albans

Not a direct route, to go by way of Lymington. But Fr Howard Levett was getting a bit overwhelmed with packing cases, so decided to take a breather in deepest Hampshire. He is, you may know leaving St Alban's Holborn to take up a post later this year as Anglican Chaplain in Venice. Besides, he is a very good guest to entertain during the New Forest Show. So today we forgot about disposing of the accumulation of fifteen years and set off once more into the Forest.

Hampshire Downs sheep ready for judging

It was particularly busy today, the middle of the three days of the show. We caught up with old favourites, like the New Forest Plonkers, but also saw some of the dozens of horses (it was the New Forest Champion Pony which was winner of the native pony class - most satisfactory) and we watched the judging of some of the beef cattle, and of the sheep.

It is a great place for people-watching; the lady judges were all heavily hatted, and I have not seen so many bowlers since the City took to open-necked shirts. We were happily displaying our tattoos among the lower classes, watching ferret racing and steam engines. All very jolly. I think there may have to be a little trip back from Venice next summer, so that Fr Howard can get his fix of ancient England.

Plonker-watching

Very wet, Venice.

Fr Hunwicke's Reproach

Subdeacon in midflight for photo call after Mass

Fr Hunwicke has posted a little reproach in his blog. I have tried to comment there, but I think he must have it ring-fenced to prevent bishops from answering him. So I must try here.

First, he says how dangerous it is to ask bishops for permission. Quite right. Unless you find the right bishop.

Then, he suggests that his liturgy alone is in proper Tudor English. But that is just how it is at Saint Michael's Croydon - not simply Tudor, but positively half-timbered and wainscotted, straight from the Book of Common Worhip - Holy Eucharist Rite I Roman Canon (Old English Translation).

I have to confess, though, that my sermon was in the vernacular. I am sure Fr Hunwicke glides happily among Thees and Thous, Wast and Dost and Shouldst. As a mere historian and no classicist I dare not venture into those waters.

But I am greatly flattered that the Master should note my blog, if only in order to reproach me.

Croydon and the Ordinariate

St Michael's in its Island

Croydon has changed. My mother came from nearby South Norwood, and I knew it half a century ago. Now the charming little town hall tower, which once dominated the town, is lost in a maze of tower blocks. St Michael's, the Anglo-Catholic presence by West Broydon station, is all but submerged in buses and trams and shiny glass monoliths. Yet the faith is still taught there, and today I stood in for Bishop John of Fulham and confirmed seven candidates there.

Charles Henman's Town Hall,[above]

lost in the modern maze.

Trams try to obliterate St Michael's


Fr Donald Minchew has as amazing ministry, and it is his efforts which have enabled the parish to develop the hall into a lovely restaurant and meeting place. They have built a small block of apartments to the west of the church, and the carparking spaces produce a healthy income for the parish. There is a good musical tradition (today the choir was meant to be on holiday, but came to support the Confirmation candidates, and sang wonderfully - that's what I mean by a good musical tradition!). The liturgy is thought by many to be rather old-fashioned; which in these days of the great Benedict XVI means that it is in the very forefront of liturgical renewal. There were three sacred ministers (not laymen dressed up) and the Canon was one approved by Rome; from the Book of Divine Worship. We faced the high altar at the top of a flight of steps, which enabled the sacred action to be seen from the entire church. The language was very BCP, and people come from far and near because, as one person said to me afterwards, it is a holy celebration.

What will happen to this great traditon? Fr Donald Minchew, the Parish Priest, has said he will stay until he is forced out by age or illness. It is a brave and commendable attitude. But is it realistic? He will certainly be succeeded by someone who supports women in the priesthood and episcopate, indeed it might be a woman priest who follows him as Vicar. Very hard, of course, to leave such a lovely place. But better, perhaps, to lead at least some of that congregation into the promised land of Anglicanorum Coetibus? Who knows, perhaps a new bishop of Southwark will want to show how generous he is, and will let St Michael with St James go to the Ordinariate? And if he does not, will he really want to be known as the bishop who turned a once vibrant church into a museum; or a block of flats?

Victoria enthroned in the Narthex Window

Buildings matter. I am deeply attached to the work of that fine high Victorian architect John Loughborough Pearson who built St Michael with St James'. I learned the faith in the Sunday School at St John's, Upper Norwood. That church now has had a lady incumbent, and for me is no more than the shell of a church. It is hard to let go; but we must, if there is to be a future for us and our grandchildren.


I hope the Church of England, or at least some of its diocesan bishops, will be ashamed at what the Synod has done, and will allow us to continue using some of our great churches. Already they offer hospitality, even in cathedrals, to Lutherans and Methodists and Orthodox. Would it be so unthinkable to allow similar hospitality to us, Catholics of an Anglican Use?


But for me, even if it means saying farewell to every church bulding I have ever loved (and there are many) it will still be a great relief to be able to say, without equivocation, 'I am a catholic Christian'. That is what I always thought I was; it is what I hope to become again, in communion with bishops who also believe and teach the faith once delivered to the Saints.


A future for our grandchildren?

Brighton addendum

Fr Beau ensured sobriety at the party

Not a good day for photos, but here are a few more to add to the recent Brighton story. We went to a 14th birthday party on Saturday evening (a week ago now) and here are a few photos from the event. Sadly one camera went missing (and I had forgotten to take mine) but you will get an idea of the event from what we have rescued here.... none still of Fr Beau's fractured ankle.

[Above] Dad pictured concocting a potion; grandad behind his shoulder.




Birthday boy before he misplaced his aunt's camera, among other servers at his party.

Brighton

At the Throne (just!)

A few pictures from last weekend's Confirmation at S Martin's have been forwarded, so as promised here is a little memento of that visit. Fr Beau Brandie was heavily handicapped - he really is too old to play rough games, but he'd managed to get a broken ankle, so processions were more than usually dignified. He produced a good number of candidates, though, and a merry time was had by all. I shall let the pictures do the talking - currently I am getting geared up for a Patronal (St James) at S Michael's Croydon (who have James, very cunningly, as their second Feast of Title) - we head off that way tomorrow.

At the bunfight

Fr Beau with Trevor: Rachel and me

Free at Last!

Free as air

As Synod fades into memory, one emotion remains; grateful thanks that the speculation is ended, and we know we are not wanted. "Oh, but the Archbishop has said ...." Forget it. What the Archbishop said has been ignored, and will be again. "Oh, but the dioceses are to debate the proposals..." To what end? They cannot amend anything, only approve or disapprove; and the certainty is that they will all approve what is before them. "Oh, but the final vote is not for eighteen months, there will be a new Synod, they need a two-thirds majority.." So what! If it were to fail at that hurdle it would come back very swiftly, with even less concessions to traditionalists. No, we have been given a one-way ticket, and the sooner we use it the better.

Spire of Ryde All Saints

So yesterday, taking a day out to the Isle of Wight (see the Anglo-Catholic blog) was wonderfully refreshing. Especially seeing All Saints Ryde in the pastoral care of the Bishop of Richborough, and so a constant thorn in the flesh of Portsmouth Diocese plc, standing proud on the skyline.

Quarr on the skyline

Then Quarr Abbey, where my former colleague among the college Principals, Dennis Lloyd of Mirfield, took refuge after leaving the C of E. We had a lovely day on the Island, and Osborne is worth a long journey.

English Heritage are doing a great job restoring Osborne house and gardens to their former glory. This is also an excuse to show you some pretty pictures from the Solent in Cowes week.

Portsmouth Harbour Entrance, the

Spinnaker on the right

If you have been to Portsmouth lately you can't have missed the Spinnaker Tower. We can glimpse it from Lymington, twenty miles away. Close up you get some impression of its size; the top three floors are glazed [they appear black in the picture above: click on the picture to enlarge it] and way up there you glimpse tiny figures of spectators... terrific. Knocks the Angel of the North into several cocked hats.

The base of the Spinnaker tower, with the Masts of Nelson's Victory in the distance.