abbotsford.org.uk

Ordination

I'm on two groups in the church whose thinking is coming together - there's a first. One was the Worship and Doctrine Task Group who have ben looking are ordination and now I'm on the Liturgucal Committee who are looking at the ordinal which is a wee book of spcial services one of them bring ordination. We were looking through the service and lots of questions arose about the practice when the service was written and what we think now and need to symbolise now to make things clearer and more united. For example the Presbytery constitutes itself in a separate room, the parades in an takes over the service and sit up fron and it all seems to be about authority and stuff like that. And while it partly is, there are ways and means that are less 'arrogant'.

It got me thinking about what people really think about ordination, the magic that sets someone apart for particular tasks. Personally I have a very low view of ordination. Other's have a high view. What it means in practice for us is that only the minister can do the special bit in communion, can baptise anyone, and bless people at the benediction etc. What say you? Does ordination make sense? Is this setting apart appropriate anymore? What would happen if there were no ordained people?

Movement

How do you get people to speak to others? We had a Living the Questions night at the Manse tonight and while the theme was prejudice, we talked round it creatively and lots of wee things came out. One was about people living in comfort zones all the time and we wonderd about getting people to talk of other folk they haven't yet met in the hall after the service, or even in their pews. There were some very creative suggestions but I was wondering, how do yo get people to talk? How does BT do it and get folk to pay them for doing it and we can't easily get people to do it for free!? The more people talk, the more they get to know more people to talk to. It's circular but close to impossible. Ideas?

Pentecost Art

As I said, earlier on, the pentecost triptych is fabulous so Tom has posted some images of it in the worship space photo album. The flames come out from the background and wrap round the cross.

How long can we keep this one up? And what should we put in its place during the summer? Seriously, I'm keen to hear what ideas we can put into the pot, stir around and let Craft Daft play with and create. I don't know what shape the services will take during July when they are shorter all-age services. Last year we had the Hard Rock Cafe and joice and stuff. If folk have experienced other services like that elsewhere or have a thought they'd like to direct this way then please, please do so. This worship thing isn't all 'clergy' based. Any idea or a picture or a photo or an image or a song or a poem you'd like to unpack a little or use in these different kind of services over the summer, then don't hesitate to suggest. The suggestion/idea box is always open.

Meanwhile, enjoy the fire.

Chocolate Teapots for 3rd June 2007

Today was today. It had some moments but on the whole I think it missed a bit. However, lets talk about the bits that did work. For myself I thought the tryptich was brilliant. It looks fabulous. I thought the balloons were a good moment of celebration. There was laughter too whcih is the work of the Spirit. And I was talking to someone after the service saying that I thought it was a bit flat but she said that's not what she took from it all, but rather there is clearly life abut the place, it isn't stiff but relaxed and lively. So there was a wee lesson for me at least. It doesn't have to be a perfect performance but just living.

The other lesson is to practice more before hand which is a bit of an oxymoron with what's just been said but persomally I think I have to go through the talks more thoroughly rather than just imagin it all in my head.

However, that's not what this blog is meant to be about. Next week: It's communion and Environment Sunday. An interesting but possible combination especially as it is Trinity Sunday too. Works for me, sort of.

So the reading is Psalm 8 which is amazingly appropriate for all three themes. That's the Psalm that has the line: "What are humans that you are worthy of them". Basically the Psalmist is staring up at the sky and recognising the vastness of the heavens. It's all the more vast now-a-days and therefore all the more wonderful that God still has the big moments for us. Any normal God would be busy away doing stuff somewhere out by Pluto or Beetljuis or the Andromoada galaxy (all pretty close in astronomical terms) to be bothered with us lot. But our God isn't normal and kind of has a huge lens magnifying our tiny blue and green planet to a disproportionate size in amongst the much bigger heavenly spheres. Why does God do that?

So there we go. It's vast. It's collosal. It's humungus. It's totally amazing. And so will Sunday (if I practice a little harder!)

Help for Sunday

I'm wondering if anyone would be willing to pop down a hour earlier tomorrow morning to do some prep for the service. Won't tell you what it is yet but if anyone with strong lungs could be down before 10 then there will be a cup of roibos tea (red bush tea) waiting for you.

Hint for Pentecost

Here's the affirmation for Sunday, written on the bus down from Oban this afternoon. Not quite complete I think but on it's way. Maybe trying to hard with it but the idea is that the italics are sing (if you know a good tune then let me know, or if you'd like to write one...) and chidlren will lead some actions during the singing each time (not the same words are used at the beginning of each for that purpose. Theoretically it ought to allow everyone to engage at some level.
Additions, suggestions, tunes and edits all welcome.

Holy Spirit:
creation’s colour palette
and chaos’ mistress,
luscious and abundant energy of heaven,
enlivening dry bones to dance,
with the vibrancy of life,
in God’s own dance of resurrection.

As flame she clears the wasteland,
as water she runs in the earth
as wind she blows through the desert
the Spirit makes God a new day

Holy Spirit:
disturber of the world
and catalyst of change
filling us with the energy of heaven
with a call to renew the world
with songs of justice and words of peace
God’s own word, of resurrection

With flame she lights a passion
with water she soaks our birth
with wind she blows a new order
the Spirit makes God a new day

Holy Spirit:
shaper of the future
interrupting our now
burning through all that is corrupt
with a revelation of justice
filling the old and young with new vision and dreams
God’s own dream, of resurrection

With flame she burns a candle
with water she quenches our thirst
with wind she shakes out our dryness
the Spirit makes God a new day

Make you're own story

Once upon a time there was a a new leader voted First Minister of the best wee country in the world, but...

Another discussion about...

There is always space to talk about the General Assembly which begins tomorrow (Saturday). No idea what will happen. Might be nothing, but it might be everything. We've a severe shortage of ministers and trying to turn readers into auxilliary ministers to do the jobs of ministers but for free. We've a big report on Sexuality which will definitely provoke discussion. There a female moderator. Plu stuff we never dream that would amke the headlines but does. So feel free to add your toughts about it. Who know how you'll ever find out as the media don't give it much space but any gossip will be received here.

A discussion about...

We could talk about next Sunday. Chocolate Teapots is all about Pentecost this week. Acts 2. Flame and words and parties and wind. Enough said!

How do you celebrate the Spirit? Is he a she or is she a he? It was rarely mentioned 10 years ago but we've made it much bigger. It's all about red and life. What words would you use for the spirit?

Here's a few: catalyst, disturber, laughter, wisdom, creator, dove, anger... others?

The week that will be

I'm afraid there won't be any new posts here for the next week unless Iona is linked up braodband to the internet. hey probably are, but will I be allowed to plug into it? So please behave. There are plenty of topics going on at the moment but I'll suggest a few others to post under for the week. Enjoy the free discussion.

Just a wee note that we have a representative going to the Assembly this week to talk about CAOS. Sandra has drawn the short straw and maybe her enthusiasm is because she didn't realise there were only 100- folk there rather than the wee committee she thought. Anyway, that's Wednesday morning and she'll do fabulously. She's only got a minute and a half to divulge the contents of CAOS. Perfect choice.

Words of supprt would be good...