Powerful Stuff

 I agree

Goodbye £100m

Justin Welby defends £100m fund to ‘address past wrongs of slavery’ as churches struggle.

The Most Rev Justin Welby acknowledged fears over 'stretched' parish finances, but justified the £100 million slavery reparations fund by saying 'it is now time to take action to address our shameful past' - Anadolu Agency. (Found on Yahoo)

One commenter was sad that the church felt it needed to atone for past sins. He went on, "...because of all the parish priests and volunteers who selflessly support the day-to-day activities of the Church, yet are starved of funds and expected to do more and more by combining parishes. Meanwhile, the bureaucracy of the central Church seems to grow apace, absorbing ever more money.

My incredulity is at the astounding ability of the Church, presumably under the direction of the Archbishop of Canterbury, to jump on any woke bandwagon."

I certainly agree this is bizarre and a kick in the teeth for parishes.

UK's first non-binary priest

This story (UKs first non-binary priest) cropped up on Ancient Briton.

It would take too long to explain how I feel about it. I do know, however, that views of sexual orientation change with time and I for one feel that Alan Turin was treated appallingly (by society) in the 1950s. It would not happen now: I am glad that people these days are are more englightened. Indeed it seems that one can only get anywhere these days (particularly on the stand-up comedy circuit) if one is a member of the LGBTQ+ community. So I feel that society has far too relaxed a view of these issues and the church struggles to keep up and make sense of it all.

It will not be long before the C of E has many such clergy and - I expect - it already does have a large sprinking of non-heterosexual priests.

On balance, it is better for it to be out in the open than underground. One comment on Ancient Briton says - "The sickness continues to spread". Yet, if you love somebody, you love them as they are.

It can make some of feel uncomfortable at times. I will leave it there.

Christians are now a minority

Christians are now a minority in the UK. Katie mentions this result from the 1921 census. She makes some other very good points. Sorry if you do not agree. She speaks for many.

I do not have a problem with people from other lands coming to the UK. I do have a problem with them coming here illegally and the government turning a blind eye. Don't get me started.

Trans Jesus?

What utter stupidity. Not sure how long this video will stay up but a Dean has suggested that Jesus could have been 'Trans' and the video seems to be fair comment.

Advent Sunday

There was only a small congregation this morning for Advent Sunday communion. Perhaps the locals all knew the church heating was on the blink.

The sermon was actually about getting more people to attend church and someone has come up with a 3-part mantra. People are supposed to say to their friends...

1. I'm going to church
2. It's going to be good
3. Would you like to come with me?

However, newcomers must not expect church always to be 'flully' and lovely without any challenges!

Getting a Faculty

Before any major work is done in a church it is necessary to obtain a faculty. This is as it should be.

It can, however, be the case that small jobs could be done without the need for a faculty and some very necessary jobs have all kinds of conditions placed on them. As is common with human beings, those who invent rules may not always have the interests of a parish and the people in mind. As a species humans seem to enjoy placing restrictions on what others can do - just for the sheer hell of it.

I know of a case where an organ needed rebuilding but it was thought necessary - by the men in suits - to take it back to the condition it was in when first installed and the 'modern' full pedal board, added by a builder in the 1970s would have had to be removed, making the instrument useless for 21st century worship. Needless to say the work was not done and the organ is falling apart.

Also, a church wanted a modern bell frame but were not allowed to remove the old wooden one, just in case somebody in the future wanted to see it.

Yes, there needs to be a veto on ripping things out of churches but there comes a point when the church is living in the past.

The Bishop of Oxford

The Bishop of Oxford has said that the church should marry gay couples. The issue does not worry me. I have known and worked with a variety of people with - let's say - differing sexual orientations. Most of these have been decent human beings who just want to get on with their lives. (I do not care for extremely rampant 'campness' such as we see on TV but I'm not getting into that here)

The problem the church has is Saint Paul and his teachings.

I've never liked St. Paul ever since I had his letter to the Romans as a set book for Divinity 'A' level (that's R.E. to you). What is more, I think the church has - over the years - based much of its teaching on St. Paul rather than that of Jesus. I am not particularly aware of what St Peter stood for. Surely he was the rock upon which the church was built.

There were similar problems 40 years ago (and still are in some places) over the church marrying divorced people.

The poor of C of E: it cannot make up its mind.

Crazy Golf and the like

A church is closing

A church with which I used to be associated is having to close. Internet research tells me it is because of falling congregation numbers, which will be a big part of it. The roof needs to be repaired and they cannot afford to do that.

However, word has reached me - as I have friends in the area - that the main reason is that the building has been declared unsafe as a result of subsidence. Whether or not that subsidence is a result of nearby building work has not been established.

Only Nine

I played for a 09:30 service this morning (I've just had coffee at home). I arrived at 08:56 to get my books ready and because I usually ring before the service.

There were 5 in the choir and only 9 in the congregation plus the vicar and me: total 16. I suppose it is only small(ish) village but I noticed that the average age was at least 65. One wonders where the congregations of the future will come from.

It was a fairy brisk 55 minute service - not drawn out - which I like; 4 hymns but a communion setting was used for the Gloria, Sanctus, Benedictus and Agnus Dei.

No choir

No choir? Use you choir stalls for storage.

Pournelle's Iron Law

A short time ago I had an email from a blog reader with whom I am in contact. He pointed me to Pournelle's Iron Law of Bureaucracy which states

First, there will be those who are devoted to the goals of the organization. Examples are dedicated classroom teachers in an educational bureaucracy, many of the engineers and launch technicians and scientists at NASA, even some agricultural scientists and advisors in the former Soviet Union collective farming administration.

Secondly, there will be those dedicated to the organization itself. Examples are many of the administrators in the education system, many professors of education, many teachers union officials, much of the NASA headquarters staff, etc.

The Iron Law states that in every case the second group will gain and keep control of the organization. It will write the rules, and control promotions within the organization.

It seems to me (if I have undertsood the point) that this is why organists and vicars are sometimes at odds.

My main goal is to enhance worship with my organ playing. It seems that some vicars (administrators) want to introduce new ideas and throw out tradition thinking that, by doing so, they are actually in the dedicated group.

I hope I have got that right.

Hymns for children

If I ever have to play "Kumbaya, My Lord" I am not sure what I shall do: I hate it. (I could, however, listen to the great Judith Durham singing anything.)

Yes, children need approachable hymn repertoire but, by the time I was at primary school, we were singing 'proper' hymns and we had hymn practice every week. The only 'new' items we had were when the Twentieth Century tunes were first introduced in the late 1960s, such as "At the Name of Jesus" to Camberwell which is fine.

So, imagine my dismay when I found "We have a King who rides a donkey" in a hymn book.

 I'm sorry, but it does nothing for me. Can you see what I mean?

Streaming

I have played at a couple of churches where the service is streamed live. It then stays on YouTube for as long as the church leaves it there. I have been lucky in that I have not made any mistakes or bloopers which I would wish were not recorded: it may only be a matter of time!

I do find that knowing that the service is being broadcast gives the occasion a different feel. I suppose one does concentrate a little harder if you know the music is being recorded for posterity.

Unfortunately, the last 2 services at one church (one of which I played for) had no sound on YouTube (due to a technical issue) so you can see people singing but not hear them. The hymn words were displayed so those watching live could participate to an extent.

All this has come about because of Covid. Many Family History Societies are having Zoom meetings these days which means that people who live far away can attend and the speaker can also live further away than might be the case if they were engaged to do a live meeting. There are also no hall fees to pay so it's a win-win.

Will we even need church buildings in the future?

Peter not Paul

The readings last Sunday were about Peter - Saint Peter, the rock upon which the church was supposed to be built.

When I was in the 6th form at school I decided to take RE 'A' level (Divinity as it was known at my school) which caused all sorts of problems. (The lad who took it with me become a priest in the Greek Orthodox church!)

Our set books included Romans - St Paul's letter to the Romans which was, let's say, far from inspiring and, sadly, very far from inspiringly taught.

The reasons people are shying away from religion is two-fold.

1. The God of the Old Testament is quite a jealous God who kills (smites) people
2. The New Testament is far too full of the writings of St Paul, IMHO. No doubt he was an interesting guy but I suppose I have little time for him because he liked to lay down the law. I may be wrong.
   

Save the Parish

A short post today as all the information you need is on this website.

SAVE THE PARISH

The last time the C of E made a major financial decision it went pear-shaped thanks to the Church Commissioners.

The Church Commissioners lost a staggering £800m in the late 1980s, chiefly the result of unwise investments in property. Now, they have fallen victim to the slump in the telecommunications sector and, according to an article in the Church Times, have seen their Vodafone portfolio fall by more than £78m since the start of 2000. [Source: www.theguardian.com]

Preserving the past

A dilemma for churches is whether or not to preserve the past. For major work to be carried out in churches a Faculty is required. Clearly, many church congregations are bringing their buildings into the 20th (no that isn't an mistake but a joke!) or even the 21st century by adding toilets, kitchens, removing pews and having comfortable chairs and so on. As I've said before, many places install data projectors, screens and goodness knows what.

Then there is the issue of the organ. Organs take up space, they need regular maintenance and people to play them: this all costs money. However, some organs are linked to the church in which they reside because they are of national or historical importance, or both: they cannot easily be ripped out. (Much the same is true of bell frames but that is another topic).

I converted to a PC many years ago and got rid of my Commodore 64: you cannot keep using old technology and the same is partly true of organs. I have known organs to have been 'restored' or cleaned and yet they are as hard to play - as regards effort - as they ever were. Lots of money spent for no real advantage.

On Facebook there is a post about an organ which is no longer used. It has history and was a very fine example of its kind, years ago. These days the specification looks drab with 8, 8ft stops amongst its 11 manual stops. They have left it in place and now use an electronic organ.

There is a photo on Facebook of the organ case which has had banners positioned for display and this has caused consternation for some. These are the comments:

• It's an inappropriate place for secular activism and the signalling of trends, virtues or vices. (I'm not sure that seeing God as Alpha and Omega is a modern trend, but the NHS rainbow so common in the Covid Lockdown is different!)
  
• Sad use of an organ facade - who in their right mind would hide beautiful pipes and woodwork with (and excuse me) hideous contemporary banners?
• Depressing to see "Holy Roller" banners blocking the front pipes!

It may be that this is an old photo and the banners are no longer there. I do think they look out of place. It is a matter of taste.

 

Why is the Church in decline?

I am just back from a short holiday. I had some bellringing planned and had checked with the towers that it was on. The Wednesday ringing was cancelled through lack of available ringers, caused by illness. There are 8 bells so, presumably at least 2 were ill and the other 6 didn't want to ring as there was no guarantee that I'd turn up to make 7; they did text me to say it was off.

Presumably, had the local band consisted of 12 ringers, 4 or 5 could have been ill but my point is that the whole company must be limited in size that to cancel was the only option. This may be because fewer people are taking up ringing, and that could be because fewer people go to church (not that ringers are noted for their piety!)

One reason attendance in C of E parishes is declining is that there has been an increase in the number of new churches planted (to use the term which seems to apply) in any given area. These are often Evangelical groups which meet in school halls and other large buildings. Newfrontiers is one such establishment and the Evangelical Alliance is another relevant body. There are several other smaller groups.

So, it seems that if people want to get together and 'play at churches' they can simply do so.

I will post about some negative aspects of this later. All I will say now is that there are only a certain number of people of faith to go around. Note that many non-conformist churches have closed (Baptists and Methodists) over the years. The C of E does not suit everyone but not all C of E churches are the same so it ought to be possible to find one you like. It is just that people have a 'pick and mix' attitude to worship these days and balk at being labelled as old-fashioned.

Me, I'm all for tradition: or am I!?