Symbols, Colours and Objects - Visual Worship

It seems to me that one of the biggest areas where Church is found to be lacking lies in symbols.

When I first started training I found much of what we did in my training church (not to be confused with the church where I did my 'Title' post - AKA Curacy) had no meaning because of my Charismatic/Evangelical background. I was bemused by some of the stuff, confused by other bits and totally at a loss with anything that was left!

The thing is that following on from my Paschal candle piece I have been engaged in conversation regarding much of the stuff we do in our services and the reasons we do it and this has got me thinking. So whilst I am still reading atonement stuff in the background as part of my quest to understand PSA and all that sort of thing I think I'm going to try (and possibly magnificently fail) to explain the why, what and wherefore of the Anglican liturgy and the things we do in our services.

What better place to start can there be than the rite of initiation (and, as this has brought me a number of questions, others seem to think so too):

Baptism and the current Common Worship (CW) service  (which I think works if the clergy are engaged, willing and able to deliver it in a didactic/apologetic manner) is full of magnificent symbolism in the three main elements which we :

Chrism - Baptism - Light of Christ*

Chrism: For as long as we've been around ('we' being initially being Jews, for we surely were a sect of Judaism) people have been anointing, and anointed, with Olive Oil. The primary reason for this is that it represents the Holy Spirit and so the symbolism is that we are invoking the Holy Spirit to come and fill the person being baptised (oooh, does that make it an epiclesis?). Olive oil also have healing properties and so there are other historic positives to be considered here too.

When we anoint the candidate we make the sign of the cross. The reason for this is that this is our trade mark. Were we McDonald's we'd be making the sign of the Golden Arches instead! So, with the words, "Christ claims you for his own. Receive the sign of his cross," we chrismate the candidate and, with the words:

"May almighty God deliver you from the powers of darkness, restore in you the image of his glory, and lead you in the light and obedience of Christ. Amen;" 

we enact the exorcism bit (with no need to do anything else or embellish the proceedings with our own particular foolishness) - Job's a Good'un and the Holy Spirit has been invoked and fills every nook and cranny of their innermost being - Hallelujah or what?

Baptism: We do this because this is what Jesus did! He was baptised and so, emulating Him, we too come to baptism - but it's much more than just the 'wet witness' that many (especially those who think they have the 'only' baptism) deliver under the label 'baptism'! It's a great place to continue the continuity with being Jewish and explain ritual washing (ever seen the bathhouses in the Amsterdam synagogue?) too.

I have to say that those who tell me the CW is out of touch and unwieldy are wrong because I find that it connects, and makes connections, between (and with) the Bible  and those who come to the service - the paucity lies perhaps with the person doing the service rather than the liturgy (but hey, I could be wrong, often am :-)  ). Let's take a moment to look at the 'prayer over the water' and the opportunities it gives us - remembering that as there's no sermon we need to work out what we are going to teach in other ways (my observations/comments are in italics here):

We thank you, almighty God, for the gift of water to sustain, refresh and cleanse all life.
Now what is there difficult here? It makes sense as a standalone comment ;-)

Over water the Holy Spirit moved in the beginning of creation.
Great place to mention the Holy Spirit 'brooding' and God speaking!

Through water you led the children of Israel from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land.
Yeah - it's the Exodus and all that great stuff about setting God's people free from captivity - Egyptians, sin, the field is wide open!

In water your Son Jesus received the baptism of John and was anointed by the Holy Spirit as the Messiah, the Christ, to lead us from the death of sin to newness of life.
Yeehah - doing what Jesus did - anointing - Holy Spirit - resurrection and new life (who wrote this stuff, it's full of opportunities for us?). 

We thank you, Father, for the water of baptism. In it we are buried with Christ in his death.
Get in there - where there's total immersion 'buried' is obvious and where not, we speak of this as symbolism and can again  bring in the 'Jewishness' of it all too.(added later: because the line from OT to NT and the connections we can make, inform and excite. = or they should)

By it we share in his resurrection.
Indeed, for if we have been buried with Him so too will we rise with Him! Hallelujah!!!

Through it we are reborn by the Holy Spirit.
New birth through the waters of baptism, not even the naughty rebaptisers will be able to rail against the theology here!

Therefore, in joyful obedience to your Son, we baptise into his fellowship those who come to him in faith.
Cherry on the cake time - go into all the world and all that stuff (Matt 28) makes it complete and gets us ready to do the splashing.

Now sanctify this water that, by the power of your Holy Spirit, they may be cleansed from sin and born again. Get that water ready and find me a candidate.

Renewed in your image, may they walk by the light of faith and continue for ever in the risen life of Jesus Christ our Lord;to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be all honour and glory, now and for ever. Got a candle ready, going to need one for the next bit!

If we take the time the symbolism and full meaning of what we are doing is there for all to see - all it takes is someone to do the explaining (and if we can't should we be doing the service?)

Light of Christ - This is where we light the candle (from our Paschal candle) and celebrate the candidate having passed from darkness into light. The symbolism is simple and extremely obvious and so completes the whole service nicely. I've done this in the Paschal candle piece and so won't repeat it again. 

The service is topped off by the wearing of a nice white stole (if you're unsure why, see here +) and Bob's your uncle and Jesus is means by which reconciliation come to us! Nothing too difficult here and the richness of the symbols is obvious and amazing!

Hope this helps those who have asked me regarding the service - next time we'll look at the colours and seasons (again) because I've had almost eighteen requests to do so (and I'm happy to revisit it for me because I'm a bit dim at time) - and that concludes my 20 minute moment of mayhem :-)

Pax





* Some talk (extensively) of the exorcism as part of the baptism and whilst this is something that is present the way they refer to it and the associations they make are usually more bounded by ignorance than theological or practical theological that anything efficacious.

+Colours - the official line is this:
"White is the colour for the festal periods from Christmas Day to the Presentation and from Easter Day to the Eve of Pentecost, for Trinity Sunday, for Festivals of Our Lord and the Blessed Virgin Mary, for All Saints' Day, and for the Festivals of those saints not venerated as martyrs, for the Feast of Dedication of a church, at Holy Communion on Maundy Thursday and in thanksgiving for Holy Communion and Holy Baptism. It is used for Marriages, and is suitable for Baptism, Confirmation and Ordination. It may be used in preference to purple or black for Funerals, and should be used at the Funeral of a child. Where a church has two sets of white, one may be kept for great Festivals indicated as 'gold or white'. "

The Preface
"Baptism marks the beginning of a journey with God which continues for the rest of our lives, the first step in response to God’s love. For all involved, particularly the candidates but also parents, godparents and sponsors, it is a joyful moment when we rejoice in what God has done for us in Christ, making serious promises and declaring the faith. The wider community of the local church and friends welcome the new Christian, promising support and prayer for the future. Hearing and doing these things provides an opportunity to remember our own baptism and reflect on the progress made on that journey, which is now to be shared with this new member of the Church. The service paints many vivid pictures of what happens on the Christian way. There is the sign of the cross, the badge of faith in the Christian journey, which reminds us of Christ’s death for us. Our ‘drowning’ in the water of baptism, where we believe we die to sin and are raised to new life, unites us to Christ’s dying and rising, a picture that can be brought home vividly by the way the baptism is administered.Water is also a sign of new life, as we are born again by water and the Spirit. This reminds us of Jesus’ baptism. And as a sign of that new life, there may be a lighted candle, a picture of the light of Christ conquering the darkness of evil. Everyone who is baptised walks in that light for the rest of their lives. As you pray for the candidates, picture them with yourself and the whole Church throughout the ages, journeying into the fullness of God’s love."

Confirmation: Beginning not end!

A very old Church joke goes like this:

An archdeacon is called to a church to examine a serious problem with the building. When they arrive they find that the bell tower is full of bats which (because of protection laws) cannot be removed from the space. Not missing a pace the Archdeacon says the solution is readily at hand, all that is needed is for them to get the bishop over.

'What on earth can the bishop do to get rid of the bats?' asks the Vicar.

'He'll come over and confirm them and once that's done, you'll never see most of them again!'

Now, as funny as it is, the reality behind this clerical humour has been seen and felt by many clergy over the years; the reason being that we don't understand what confirmation is about and this misunderstanding is costing the Church dearly+!

Controversial words I know, but this is what I honestly feel and here's why:

I recently encountered some congregations, each with few children, each with very different attitudes. In all of them there were children who had expressed a desire to take communion and the differences in attitude of the church (here 'church' means the people in charge and these were not necessarily the clergy or wardens) resulted in:

i. 'You're only 'n' - come back when you're 'n+x'
  (let's make n=10 and x=4; arbitrary values randomly chosen for the purpose of this exercise)

There were three distinct thoughts behind this (and I know because I asked).

The first was that confirmation is a rite of passage - marking the transition from child to adult (like bar/bat mitzvah in the Jewish faith).

The second was that confirmation made the recipient of that rite a 'member' and 'n', 'Was just too young, for at that age they are tomorrow's church!'

The final bit of thinking was that confirmation is akin to a graduation ceremony and marks something very special because it's about having reached the end of a journey.

ii. 'Let's get together and talk about it'

So they met with the child and discussed what they knew and understood about God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), The cross, resurrection, new life in Jesus, Pentecost, Church, church and being a disciple (without any of the technical words). What they were doing was exactly what the good old catechism classes of days gone by never did (well mine didn't - it was a bored cleric reading a dogeared SPCK Catechism booklet to a bunch of equally bored and disinterested fifteen years old)! The child was engaged with and a dialogue, and an understanding of their position and thinking gained, and the imparting of great understanding made.

iii. 'Of course, let's do it!'

Now this was a risky approach because the 'Yes' had been issued before a full understanding of the place the child was in was made theirs. The thinking behind this was that the child was known and the view of the family (active and engaged church members) was sought before the encounter where they were properly asked (simple really - the desire was voiced and the response was, 'Great, let's talk later/after the service/sometime soon*' (and the parent were then asked their views before returning to them).

My response to the above scenarios is this:

The first is, in my view (and it might be wrong) pure and unadulterated folly on many levels!
If a child of 'n' comes and is told to come back and 'n+x' then my experience is that by the time 'x' has passed you have lost them and even if they come for confirmation the danger is that it's become a rite of passage and what could have been the beginning of a journey is actually the 'sending off party' for someone who is effectively leaving!

The reality is that confirmation is the beginning of the faith journey, the taking upon ourselves the backpack of faith and the roadmap that leads us to the cross. I would rather see a child of 'n' confirmed and taken forward than put off and put off! This is a dicey path because it requires commitment, energy, engagement and some real conflict with some in the church who will trot out their 'tomorrow's Church' mantra and in so doing destroy today's Church!

This story ends with the child deciding that they didn't want to come back later and the reality is that their attendance is looking less likely as the parents have been told they don't enjoy coming with the result that, because they don't want to force them to come, probably means that the Sunday football or rugby team are likely to have a new member shortly!

The second is about engagement and taking the child seriously. This payed dividends in that the child answered some stuff well and was corrected, guided and after some few sessions together was confirmed. Youth Alpha and Emmaus courses were of use here and what has been seen is a young person on the lower slopes of discipleship fast approaching the steeper section and passing some of the older pew-warmers (which will be interesting to watch)!

The third engagement was quite exquisite in that it didn't put the child off but made space to canvass the parent so that they could respond in a positive and informed way in partnership with the parents. The child was engaged with in a way that involved the parents from the beginning and not only sought their views and permission but brought them into a place where their own faith might be challenged and enhanced bringing a real win-win-win result. The child was confirmed and the ongoing, shared, discipleship is being made real in this family because of it.

Confirmation is not an ending but the beginning of a discipleship journey (which is why we call upon the empowering of God's Holy Spirit as succour for the journey - Spiritual Kendal Mint Cake)

Confirmation is about us acknowledging membership of the Church and taking responsibility for the person being confirmed

Confirmation is not about becoming a member (we don't have members, we have parishioners and communicants)

Communion does not make us an adult - goodness me, have you seen how childish and inane many of those who have been confirmed are?

Confirmation is not about knowledge or age or anything but the desire to go forward and be fully part of the Church - it is Church and communicant taking mutual responsibility for the journey to the cross and is about accountability on the part of Church and believer. How can we expect the baptised to fulfil their baptismal calling if those of us who are called to be their pastors do not take our role seriously?

'Suffer the little children to come to me,' says the Boss.

Are we listening ?

+ And this is the whole Church because many of those who find themselves in other denominations and groupings beging life as Anglicans and is we don't give birth to them the others won't be winning them later ;-)

* delete as applicable

Lichfield Diocese - Going for Growth

Lichfield Diocese have taken a look at the 'Going for Growth' themes that has been with us for a few years now and although we are being encouraged to 'use words' elsewhere, what we have is a graphic representation for the five themes.

This is an exciting and valuable way of communicating the themes and of signposting and making the ministry opportunities and our missional engagement immediately visible.

The logos are:

Reaching New Generations - Lichfield Diocese

Today is set aside in Lichfield diocese as a day of prayer for the young. As I was praying this morning, and as others in our church, parish and deanery will also be doing so, I was struck by a comment I heard this week:

Some people want it to happen,

Some people hope it happens,

Some people pray it happen,

Some people make it happen!

Now I don't want you to think that I am saying that prayer is not effective, for I know that this is not the case; what I am saying is this:

All too often I meet people who have either identified or been made aware of a need and their first response is to say, "Oh, let's pray about it." Then, having dutifully prayed, they consider their part done and sit back waiting to see how God is going to do it.

I encounter far too many people who are'concerned' but are not engaged. They clearly see a need and are willing to talk about it to whoever will lsiten at the time (and do the same with God) but do not examine their church to see how it can be made effective and welcoming. They ask the questions and bemoan the fact that 'nobody is doing anything about it' and drone endlessly on about how the need is 'never' met and how they hope that one day someone will wake up and do something.

Meanwhile God looks at the situation and wonders why one earth those people who can see the need keep asking Him to do something when he's already 'something' through the Cross of the Christ and the enabling of His Holy Spirit. What He needs is for those who are asking to do the something He's asked them to do in response!

Today we are praying for 'New Generations' and this is fantastic.

But are we opening our doors to them and seeking to reach them with an old and established message in ways that are culturally and linguistically effective?

Is inculturation something we are considering?

Are we putting on Kid's Clubs and other events that will bring the 'New generations' through our doors and into relationship with us?

Can I commend Lichfield's 'Reaching New Generations' document as something worthwhile to read on this issue? (click on the words and it will download)

We will reach new generations when we leave the comfort and security of our church buildings and get out where the 'new generations' are and engage with them, putting aside the tosh that you need to be young to be effective with them, in ways that break down the barriers that false opinions and attitudes create; by seeking to find the image of the invisible God in them and leading them into a place where they can see God's hand is already on them and His Spirit working through (in, and on) them too!

Please pray this prayer sometime today (and them resolve to make rather than want or hope):

Almighty God and loving heavenly Father

Thank you for calling us by name and welcoming us into your family

Help us to reach out to new generations

so that children and young people

may find their identity as your daughters and sons.

Bless all churches and individuals meeting for prayer today;

Give us vision, faith and hope

that your kingdom may come in our Diocese

and your will be done in and through our lives.  Amen

Pax