I was appalled at the person who wittered on about the 'pornification' of the UK with the opening of a new Bunny club in London's Park Lane. Now as much as I'm not into Bunnys (although I think those one of our Wardens had are cute) I think the language abuse the woman railing against them exhibited was more concern-making!
Not since I struggled with the moronic language abuse that was 'gayification' have I been so appalled. Why, oh why, do people feel that they can take such liberties with our language, especially when they're British? After all, even though I don't like it, I do understand that Americans, not having English as their first language, feel they have the right to be creatively grammatically (and etymologically and linguistically) wrong as part of their culture (think that's the right word).
Wasn't my 'funnest' experience, that's for sure!
Pax
Saturday, 4 June 2011
Mountains, skimmining stones and
A sunny day, shared with people you love. It doesn't get any better than that, or so it seems as I lay on my bed and reflect on a superb week away.
Whist half the group tamed Snowdon (up the Pyg - down the Miner's) I took the option of slate museum and skimming slate on a shady pool. Watching our children play, the dogs swim and a friend clicking away with their camera I reflected on how lucky I was that the memories we live were so good.
It seems so sad that so many people I meet live in the 'then' rather than the 'now' and yet don't take advantage of the 'then' when it was then! We are so poor at seizing the day, rushing towards planned days in the distance, setting up retirements and things in the future and missing the sights and scenes before us now (and sometimes dying before the 'then' is ever reached!). We live for the promise of the future and fail to live in the splendour of god's provision for us today.
We (I) need to put the work, the things that distract us from celebrating the 'now' aside and grasp what we have, for soon the children will be grandchildren, the packing will be easier and less (just the two of us) and the regrets many.
Seize the day - live in the things before us rather than in the plans of thing that might be (or might not). Live each day as if it is your last and it will not matter if it is, you will have lived it well before God and man (wise words from a wise man who did just that).
Carpe Diem
Pax
Whist half the group tamed Snowdon (up the Pyg - down the Miner's) I took the option of slate museum and skimming slate on a shady pool. Watching our children play, the dogs swim and a friend clicking away with their camera I reflected on how lucky I was that the memories we live were so good.
It seems so sad that so many people I meet live in the 'then' rather than the 'now' and yet don't take advantage of the 'then' when it was then! We are so poor at seizing the day, rushing towards planned days in the distance, setting up retirements and things in the future and missing the sights and scenes before us now (and sometimes dying before the 'then' is ever reached!). We live for the promise of the future and fail to live in the splendour of god's provision for us today.
We (I) need to put the work, the things that distract us from celebrating the 'now' aside and grasp what we have, for soon the children will be grandchildren, the packing will be easier and less (just the two of us) and the regrets many.
Seize the day - live in the things before us rather than in the plans of thing that might be (or might not). Live each day as if it is your last and it will not matter if it is, you will have lived it well before God and man (wise words from a wise man who did just that).
Carpe Diem
Pax
Thursday, 2 June 2011
Communion - how do you do yours?
BCP - penitential, eyes downcast, you and God. sinner and absolving Creator.
CW - how do you like it?
Family meal which speaks of belonging, or
Proclamation of the now, the was and the 'is to be'?
Is it KJVspeak or modern language?
Does it have to be done every Sunday or once a month?
Flying Saucer paper (without the sherbet) or proper bread (White, brown or wholegrain)?
Sherry, port (we use a nice regimental tawny port) or non-alcoholic?
How do you like yours, and why (is there a theological reason or us it just because it is)?
Who do you do yours for?
Pax
CW - how do you like it?
Family meal which speaks of belonging, or
Proclamation of the now, the was and the 'is to be'?
Is it KJVspeak or modern language?
Does it have to be done every Sunday or once a month?
Flying Saucer paper (without the sherbet) or proper bread (White, brown or wholegrain)?
Sherry, port (we use a nice regimental tawny port) or non-alcoholic?
How do you like yours, and why (is there a theological reason or us it just because it is)?
Who do you do yours for?
Pax
Wednesday, 1 June 2011
It's all worship
One of the recurring issues that demands my attention (and causes me a bit of grief too) is the knotty issue of 'worship'. The grief element is due to the fact that a goodly number of people seem to think that 'worship' is the music bit and so they speak of the 'worship time' in the service. "We had a great time of worship during the service," they say, meaning they enjoyed the music bit.
Recently, whilst discussing this I brought up the issue of 'liturgy' only to be told that "We don't do that sort of things, we leave that to you high church types."
Well, here's what I told them.
Liturgy (leitourgia) is best regarded (from the Greek) as 'the work the people do' and it refers to the act of duty that is expected, nay demanded, from us. It is the act of worship and this encompasses the singywotsitstuff, talkywotsitstuff, the readingswotweread, the praying and Godbothering and the preachystuff too. It is not a rampant fast section or the slow bit where we do the worship, it is the whole shebang from the welcome to the last Amen.
We don't do worship to bless us but to bless God.
Good worship isn't what happens when we're entertained but when our services are a fragrant aroma in God's nostrils.
Pax
Recently, whilst discussing this I brought up the issue of 'liturgy' only to be told that "We don't do that sort of things, we leave that to you high church types."
Well, here's what I told them.
Liturgy (leitourgia) is best regarded (from the Greek) as 'the work the people do' and it refers to the act of duty that is expected, nay demanded, from us. It is the act of worship and this encompasses the singywotsitstuff, talkywotsitstuff, the readingswotweread, the praying and Godbothering and the preachystuff too. It is not a rampant fast section or the slow bit where we do the worship, it is the whole shebang from the welcome to the last Amen.
We don't do worship to bless us but to bless God.
Good worship isn't what happens when we're entertained but when our services are a fragrant aroma in God's nostrils.
Pax
Tuesday, 31 May 2011
Smug Christians
Talked to one of those smug, self-satisfied, 'I'm in a proper church where we don't baptise babies and keep to the way the early church used to do it (in the fifties?)' types.
This person was full of how they ignored the initiation rites of the truly early church (first century) and only baptised 'believers'. They then told me about a couple who attended their church who had been 'put out' because of their infidelity. Not the best advert for their instance of 'real church' and doesn't say much for true believers either!
The conversation moved on to 'worship' (which has a space in their service, as opposed to our services which are all worship and nothing else). Seems that 'proper' churches fit what we do in a ninety minute service into twenty minutes and the rest of their service is sermon, prayer and notices - what a church, wish I was in one like that. They knew the names of people I'd never heard of and places I'd didn't know existed (IHOP - International House Of Pancakes?). Not only that, they were having a preacher who'd been on 'God Channel' and they'd attracted lots of new members from the churches around them (isn't that sheep stealing).
By the time they'd done I realised how grateful I was to be in an Anglican (CofE) church with proper worship snd liturgy and people who come (not from other churches but from no church to us) and love God, not the buzz and hype that apparently makes 'proper church'.
Sorry but that's 'pauper church' as I see it!
Pax
This person was full of how they ignored the initiation rites of the truly early church (first century) and only baptised 'believers'. They then told me about a couple who attended their church who had been 'put out' because of their infidelity. Not the best advert for their instance of 'real church' and doesn't say much for true believers either!
The conversation moved on to 'worship' (which has a space in their service, as opposed to our services which are all worship and nothing else). Seems that 'proper' churches fit what we do in a ninety minute service into twenty minutes and the rest of their service is sermon, prayer and notices - what a church, wish I was in one like that. They knew the names of people I'd never heard of and places I'd didn't know existed (IHOP - International House Of Pancakes?). Not only that, they were having a preacher who'd been on 'God Channel' and they'd attracted lots of new members from the churches around them (isn't that sheep stealing).
By the time they'd done I realised how grateful I was to be in an Anglican (CofE) church with proper worship snd liturgy and people who come (not from other churches but from no church to us) and love God, not the buzz and hype that apparently makes 'proper church'.
Sorry but that's 'pauper church' as I see it!
Pax
Sunday, 29 May 2011
The Vicar's (and other dogcollar's) Wife
She's subtle, efficient and kind,
she always knows her mind
She's Florence Nightingale,
She's Grace Darling,
When pressed she can be the Empress Ming!
She will tolerate the idiots,
And people who 'phone,
But just cross the line,
There's no mistaking in her tone.
Kindness itself,
She'll go the extra mile (and often even two),
But just try taking liberties,
and it's the morgue for you!
She'll do the Sunday School,
And even do the flowers,
She'll do one of the readings,
And she'll stay around for hours.
The first to arrive,
and the last to leave,
She'll laughs with those who're laughing,
And she'll grieve with those who grieve.
She answers the 'phone and opens the letters,
Can't tolerate those who feel they're her betters,
Pulls down the mighty from their seat,
And marks their cards (it's quite a treat)
Should any colleague dare presume
That life begins as they enter the room.
She sees through the pompous, jumped-up sod,
But leads the penitent to God,
And helps them lead a Godly live,
Three cheers, hooray for the Vicar's Wife!
Happy Mrs Vicarage day to all the clergy Spouses out there.
And 'THANK YOU' - We really couldn't do it without you!
she always knows her mind
She's Florence Nightingale,
She's Grace Darling,
When pressed she can be the Empress Ming!
She will tolerate the idiots,
And people who 'phone,
But just cross the line,
There's no mistaking in her tone.
Kindness itself,
She'll go the extra mile (and often even two),
But just try taking liberties,
and it's the morgue for you!
She'll do the Sunday School,
And even do the flowers,
She'll do one of the readings,
And she'll stay around for hours.
The first to arrive,
and the last to leave,
She'll laughs with those who're laughing,
And she'll grieve with those who grieve.
She answers the 'phone and opens the letters,
Can't tolerate those who feel they're her betters,
Pulls down the mighty from their seat,
And marks their cards (it's quite a treat)
Should any colleague dare presume
That life begins as they enter the room.
She sees through the pompous, jumped-up sod,
But leads the penitent to God,
And helps them lead a Godly live,
Three cheers, hooray for the Vicar's Wife!
Happy Mrs Vicarage day to all the clergy Spouses out there.
And 'THANK YOU' - We really couldn't do it without you!
Saturday, 28 May 2011
Shoesmith, that Appeal (and a dead child)!
Sharon Shoesmith put up a robust interview over her successful appeal over her sacking as Director of Haringey's Children's Services following the 'baby P' death. The reason for the appeal going in her favour was asbout procedure rather than substance. Despite what she might say and think, this decision against a 'procedurally unfair' dismissal merely says that what should have been done was done the wrong way and for that we are now talking silly money in terms of compensation for the woman because of it (isn't that insult to injury).
What was sad in her radio interview was that she kept repeating the phrase that 'children do die' and seemed to think that she had become the scapegoat. Perhaps she should look at the situation of Colonel Jorge Mendonca who faced a court martial because of what happened in Iraq. Those he commanded were party to excesses and errors and he, as the Boss, was held ultimately responsible (although he was found not guilty of the charges against him and only one of those charged was eventually found guilty).
What she (and those line managers involved in the case) should have done was the 'right' thing and resigned. What Ed Balls should have done was let the proper processes be run out and the woman's part in the whole sad and sorry state be the proper reason, after proper process, for her proper dismissal. Regardless of the appeal Shoesmith's responsibility is not diminished, negated or excused.
It is wrong for people to treat Shoesmith as a pariah or issue death threats and make her the sole focus for contempt as the scapegoat for this tragedy, but so too is it wrong for the woman, or others, to regard herself as without blame either for at the end of the day it happened in her department and on her watch!
What we have before us is a weak and media driven local authority and government (with Balls as the figurehead in this instance) responding to the clamouring calls of a bloodlust public, driven by the 'news' establishment.
What we have is the fact that a young boy lost his life in a situation that was preventable and that today there are still many vulnerable youngsters in the same situation who are another tragedy waiting to happen. Especially as the pressures on social workers increase due to workload and cuts!
And then there's the 'substantial' compensation award that some are expecting - we live in a world gone mad, that's for sure!
I leave you with a comment from Ms Shoesmith made at the time of the incident:
"None of the agencies involved murdered this child. This child was killed by members of his own family. I certainly won't be resigning."
Sadly, she was, as I understand it, as shameful then as she is now in that regarding Peter's death she says that she doesn't blame herself! Seems to me she's in a minority and thanks to Ball's interfering she comes out of it potentially well rewarded too!
Pax
What was sad in her radio interview was that she kept repeating the phrase that 'children do die' and seemed to think that she had become the scapegoat. Perhaps she should look at the situation of Colonel Jorge Mendonca who faced a court martial because of what happened in Iraq. Those he commanded were party to excesses and errors and he, as the Boss, was held ultimately responsible (although he was found not guilty of the charges against him and only one of those charged was eventually found guilty).
What she (and those line managers involved in the case) should have done was the 'right' thing and resigned. What Ed Balls should have done was let the proper processes be run out and the woman's part in the whole sad and sorry state be the proper reason, after proper process, for her proper dismissal. Regardless of the appeal Shoesmith's responsibility is not diminished, negated or excused.
It is wrong for people to treat Shoesmith as a pariah or issue death threats and make her the sole focus for contempt as the scapegoat for this tragedy, but so too is it wrong for the woman, or others, to regard herself as without blame either for at the end of the day it happened in her department and on her watch!
What we have before us is a weak and media driven local authority and government (with Balls as the figurehead in this instance) responding to the clamouring calls of a bloodlust public, driven by the 'news' establishment.
What we have is the fact that a young boy lost his life in a situation that was preventable and that today there are still many vulnerable youngsters in the same situation who are another tragedy waiting to happen. Especially as the pressures on social workers increase due to workload and cuts!
And then there's the 'substantial' compensation award that some are expecting - we live in a world gone mad, that's for sure!
I leave you with a comment from Ms Shoesmith made at the time of the incident:
"None of the agencies involved murdered this child. This child was killed by members of his own family. I certainly won't be resigning."
Sadly, she was, as I understand it, as shameful then as she is now in that regarding Peter's death she says that she doesn't blame herself! Seems to me she's in a minority and thanks to Ball's interfering she comes out of it potentially well rewarded too!
Pax
Friday, 27 May 2011
Images of the Christ - 2
One of the images of Christ which I have found to have caused the most reaction, even though much of it was surprise, from non-Christians was the image of 'Buddy Christ'. It comes from the film 'Dogma' and the idea was that it was a rebranding of Jesus to move away from the blood, gore and distance between Him and us.
Now the film was, bad language apart, one which I found to be rather good in terms of the theological challenges it created, that is until the last five minutes when God (Alanis Morrisette) turned up and the whole thing fell into the sea!
That aside, I bought a couple of 'Buddies' and one ended up on my computer monitor and the other on a senior police officer's desk. In my workplace people were a little shocked, but knowing I was 'one of the Christians' they sort of avoided any comment on it. I noticed though, that after a few days, when they'd had a good lood whilst I was absent, they started asking questions about it and it was areal ice-breaker. The senior police officer found the same and where the CPA (Christian Police Association) sticker hadn't brought any comments (or identification) fromChristians - soon people would just 'drop in' for a chat about their faith and their problems where there was no faith.
Seems that taking our faith seriously but ourselves less so and showing that rather than be offended (the people who introduced me to Buddy in the Swiss banking organisation I worked for were also worried they'd offend) we can deal openly and in a 'not up our own behindsides' (as an American colleague so nicely put it) opens doors.
So here he is:
Whadyaathink?
Now the film was, bad language apart, one which I found to be rather good in terms of the theological challenges it created, that is until the last five minutes when God (Alanis Morrisette) turned up and the whole thing fell into the sea!
That aside, I bought a couple of 'Buddies' and one ended up on my computer monitor and the other on a senior police officer's desk. In my workplace people were a little shocked, but knowing I was 'one of the Christians' they sort of avoided any comment on it. I noticed though, that after a few days, when they'd had a good lood whilst I was absent, they started asking questions about it and it was areal ice-breaker. The senior police officer found the same and where the CPA (Christian Police Association) sticker hadn't brought any comments (or identification) fromChristians - soon people would just 'drop in' for a chat about their faith and their problems where there was no faith.
Seems that taking our faith seriously but ourselves less so and showing that rather than be offended (the people who introduced me to Buddy in the Swiss banking organisation I worked for were also worried they'd offend) we can deal openly and in a 'not up our own behindsides' (as an American colleague so nicely put it) opens doors.
So here he is:
Whadyaathink?
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