Welcome to the September Newsletter!
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Editorial
Like many of you I wrote to Rowan after "Communion, Covenant and our Anglican Future?" (and if you haven't, you really should think about it…) and I had a fascinating response.
I, rather cheekily, asked if Rowan had actually written it, as it was not as theologically literate as we would expect from Dr. Williams (I was writing as a concerned individual, not representing Inclusive Church). I then picked out the way in which Rowan describes one "way in which the Church has consistently read the Bible for the last two thousand years."
"Our understanding of the Bible has been constantly evolving: In one century the Bible is seen as teaching anti-Semitism, in the next century it is seen as condemning it. In one century the Bible is seen as legislating for slavery, in the next century it is seen as condemning it. In one century the Bible is seen as promoting homophobia, and now many, many Christians, led by prayer, Bible study and serious reflection see the Bible as demanding we celebrate the image of God in all those God has made regardless of race, gender or sexuality. This celebration of the image of God must be reflected in our Church structures and the diversity of our leadership."
The best thing I can say for the reply from a member of the Bishop's staff is that it was very prompt. The content was unsatisfactory on every other level.
I will not go into details (if you are really interested you can find my correspondence at: web.me.com/trevordonnelly/Blog)
However I must quote the conclusion of the reply:
"I understand very well that this is deeply frustrating for those Anglicans whose position is different from the prevailing position of the Communion, but that - as the Archbishop often says, without any glee or condescension - is where we are."
This seem like the ontological argument for homophobia. The argument seems to be: "We hold this position on sexuality because we hold this position on sexuality."
The Church has done many great things throughout its history, but it has also been responsible for racism, anti-Semitism, sexism and homophobia. "Where the church was" has been a great place, and a terrible place, but "where we are" cannot be used a defence of any position. To quote John Henry: "To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often. "
We cannot stay "where we are" if we are to deserve the name "Christian."
Trevor
There are a few places left for WOTS... not too late to book!
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A5 Flyer/booking form for Word on the Street
Parish Poster
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Poster to Download
Letter from our Programme Director:
From Rev Clare Herbert, Inclusive Church Programme Director
What I have this month is a new title and news of events north, south and central
At the recent Inclusive Church trustees meeting it was decided to change my title to Programme Director. I have been sitting uncomfortably with "national coordinator” while the direction of events created to meet our aims fits more tightly with what I have been trying to do.
Bad news and good………..
Unfortunately Christina Rees is unable to attend WOTS due to an urgent need to be with her family in the USA at that time. But I am delighted that Hilary Cotton has been able to step into her shoes as a workshop leader. Her workshop's title is "Inclusive Leadership: moving towards a mixed sex House of Bishops”
Hilary Cotton is a specialist in leadership development for women, and for the last twenty years has worked with organisations as they have changed the constitution of their leadership to include women.
North of the Border…….
There will be an Inclusive Church Road Show with Giles Goddard , and Clare Herbert in Edinburgh on October 17th : there's a flyer at the end of this article
At Old Saint Paul's Church, Jeffrey St, Edinburgh EH1 1DH www.osp.org.uk 100 yards from Waverley Station. www.osp.org.uk
Contact: Jim Wynn-Evans 07710 269 474 wynnevans@gmail.com
And nearer Land's End………..
I will be talking about my work as Program Director of Inclusive Church in "Inside Out and Outside In” the Friday Fringe at Sheldon in Devon on 20th November at 7.00pm and preaching about the same at the Parish Eucharist on 22nd November at Tavistock Parish Church. Flyer's at the end but here's the whole Sheldon programme -
The first two evenings are led by speakers themselves regular Friday Fringe attenders, and we're delighted to have successfully twisted their arms to come and speak on their areas of special interest and expertise. On the third evening we are pleased to welcome a London speaker making a rare visit to the West country.
God and the World of Signs.
Andrew Robinson - Friday 9th October.
Climate Change - What do we believe?
Clare Bryden - Friday 30th October
Outside in and Inside out
Clare Herbert - Friday 20th November
Meanwhile , if you happen to be in London……….
The Inclusive Theology Book Group continues in the Desmond Tutu Room of St Martin-in-the-Fields at 7.00pm on September 8th , October 12th and December 10th with a discussion of Timothy Radcliffe's "What is the Point of being a Christian?” , followed by a discussion paper on the relevance of the writings of Rene Girard to the work of Inclusive Church , followed by Jonathan Clatworthy talking about his book "Liberal Faith in a Divided Church”
And the St Martin in the Fields Autumn Education Program consists of a series of talks by inclusive speakers entitled "Inspiring Community”
And a 2010 date for your diaries,
February 6th in Birmingham: a Day Conference on sexual identity and human flourishing created by a coalition of inclusive groups and members of Birmingham congregations.
Leaflets for forthcoming events
Response to the Archbishop's Reflections by Brian Lewis
August 2009
After the Archbishop of Canterbury's statement "Communion, Covenant and our Anglican Future?" (http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/2502 ) was published, a meeting was held at St Martins in the Field to discuss an inclusive response.
An edited and adapted account of a paper Brian Lewis presented to the group. We hope it may be useful for any studies / sermons / seminars / discussions / debates on the subject. Click on the link above to access
Petition to legally allow Civil Partnerships in places of Worship
The Civil Partnership Act 2004 does not allow faith groups to perform Civil Partnerships in their buildings. There is a petition with Number 10 Downing Street, submitted by Andrew Falconer, to allow religious groups to choose for themselves.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Amend the Civil Partnership Act 2004 to allow faith groups to perform civil partnerships within their religious buildings.
You can sign up at:
petitions.number10.gov.uk/gayfaith/
The Deadline to sign up is 30 October. Please add your name to the Petition.
You must be a British citizen or resident to sign the Petition. Please enter your name only; signatures containing other text may be removed by the petitions team.
Resources for Inclusive Worship
HYMN: Wisdom will set us free!
1. Wisdom will set us free!
Work for community;
Value diversity
Held in a unity.
Act justly with respect today!
We hear God's call and we obey.
2. Wisdom will set us free!
Weep with the damaged earth
Losing fertility,
Longing to find rebirth.
Show mercy to the world today!
We hear God's call and we obey.
3. Wisdom will set us free!
Walk with the silent poor;
Share with humility;
Open the freedom door.
Come, prophets, shout your words today!
We hear God's call and we obey.
4. Wisdom will set us free!
Leap with the angel clown
Dancing vitality
Through city, hamlet, town.
Rejoice creatively today!
We hear God's call and we obey.
5. Wisdom will set us free!
Make the thanksgiving song
Echo the praise of heaven
To which we all belong.
Rework the Wisdom theme today!
We hear God's call and we obey.
To the tune Little Cornard
JUNE BOYCE-TILLMAN 1990
REPRINTED WITH THE KIND PERMISSION OF THE AUTHOR.
PRAYER:
A COLLECT FOR THE SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY 18-24 SEPTEMBER
(MARK 9.30-37)
God, who draws near, who comes to our level,
whose nature is revealed in lordship laid aside:
give us grace to welcome you in the one who tests the bounds
of our community:
in the child, the outcast, the one who comes with no power
save that of remaking our heart;
through Jesus Christ, the one who will be betrayed.
Amen..
STEVEN SHAKESPEARE
REPRODUCED WITH THE KIND PERMISSION
OF THE AUTHOR, FROM:
PRAYERS FOR AN INCLUSIVE CHURCH
2008 CANTERBURY PRESS
SAINTS DAYS:
Last month we looked at Saint Monica, the mother of Saint Augustine.
She was certainly a strong and influential women, but her place in our Inclusive Lectionary was questioned by Canon Christopher Hall:
Monica persuaded Augustine to break off his 12-year-long faithful extra-marital partnership with Floria Aemilia, the mother of his son. It seems to me that Augustine then projected his guilt on to the Church. This led him to identify sexual activity as the source of original sin, and to the Church's obsession with sex ever since, an obsession from which women and homosexuals have suffered for centuries, and which is now splitting the Anglican Communion. Monica is thus hardly a patron saint for Inclusive Church.
Jostein Gaarder's Vita Brevis paints a fascinating truth picture of Floria's reactions to reading Augustine's Confessions.
When we look at the history of the Church and the lives of the Saints we do not simply deal with heroes and villains. In may ways Monica was inspiring, but, as Canon Hall points out, she also played her part in influencing the Church toward an unhealthy attitude to sex and sexuality. The issue is not just about St. Monica, it is about the celebration of saints in a complex church history where we find side-by-side inclusion, inspiration, faith, prejudice, horror and fear. I have no easy answer to this. But in the meantime I think it is still worth making sure we expand our calendar beyond the straight white men that dominate it.
This month we are on safer ground, with a young black woman, about whom we know almost nothing:
St. Raissa September 22.
St. Raissa (also variously known as Herais, Rhais) was a child martyr. She was beheaded along side other women at just 12 years of age under Prefect Culcianus c.303 C.E.
Image by Robert Lentz, OFM used with permission,
courtesy of Trinity Stores: www.trinitystores.com.
And finally - two more events.....
The Lisieux Trust for Women's Ministry invites you to a Training Day
'Making Liturgy' Saturday, February 27th, 2010
St. Andrew's, Short Street, Waterloo, London.SE1 8LJ
Flyer for the Lisieux Trust conference
Mary Ward: Woman of hope
Thursday 19th November 6.30-9.00pm Southwark Cathedral Library
Preceded by wine and cheese reception; talk starts at 7.30pm.
Dr Gemma Simmonds, CJ
An event hosted by the Southwark Cathedral Feminist Theology Group
2009 is the 400th Anniversary of the founding of the Congregation of Jesus and Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Loreto Sisters), by Mary Ward.
Born into a C17th English Catholic family, Mary Ward founded the first entirely unenclosed order for women in the Catholic church, based on the Jesuit model. With her companions, she pioneered new forms of female education across Europe, helped persecuted and imprisoned Catholics, and spread the word of God.
For her efforts to expand the role of women in spreading the faith, she was imprisoned and called a heretic. Her work was destroyed, her community suppressed, and her sisters scattered, but she continued to trust that what God had asked of her would be accomplished in the future.
Mary Ward taught by example and words. 'There is no such difference between men and women, that women may not do great things… and I hope it will be seen that women in time will do much'. She invited her followers to "become lovers of truth and workers of justice.”
Dr Gemma Simmonds CJ is a member of the Congregation of Jesus, and lectures in theology at Heythrop College, University of London. She gave the Mary Ward reflection at the 400years Commemorative Mass in York Minster earlier this year.
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